{"id":5861,"date":"2020-11-27T00:53:18","date_gmt":"2020-11-27T00:53:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.howtocook.recipes\/?p=5861"},"modified":"2026-01-16T16:51:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T16:51:30","slug":"perfect-pulled-pork-recipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.howtocook.recipes\/perfect-pulled-pork-recipe\/","title":{"rendered":"Perfect Pulled Pork Recipe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pulled pork sandwiches, anyone? Truth be told, you can do so much with pulled pork like make tacos, enchiladas, nachos, or flatbreads. I love making this tasty classic pulled pork recipe<\/strong>. While it does take some advance prep, it\u2019s a super-simple and super-wholesome way to get lots of meals out of one thing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best Pulled Pork Recipe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Why go to a restaurant and spend a fortune feeding the family? Or worse, buying those pre-made pulled pork kits in the supermarket! Those are loaded with artificial ingredients and preservatives. Truth is, pulled pork is a simple dish that tastes best when you make it yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pulled Pork Ingredients
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  • Pork shoulder roast<\/strong> \u2013 In my opinion this is the best cut of pork for pulled pork. This tough cut of meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender through slow cooking. Using a slow cooker for pork shoulder is magic!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Barbecue sauce<\/strong> \u2013 BBQ sauce mixed with natural juices is what makes pulled pork sauce taste so amazing!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Onions<\/strong> \u2013 adds flavor and aroma while aerating the pork.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Seasonings<\/strong> \u2013 with a mixture of chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt and pepper, this pulled pork is going to be amazing!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Brown sugar<\/strong> \u2013 gives it that caramelized flavor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    Easy Pulled Pork Recipe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This easy pulled pork recipe only needs 20 minutes of your active time. The rest of it is letting it infuse with the flavors in your fridge and then letting your pulled pork crock pot or instant pot do all the heavy lifting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Put some pork on your fork.
    Megan<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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    Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Pulled Pork Every Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    • Use the right meat<\/strong> – Pork shoulder often is labeled \u201cpork butt.\u201d You\u2019ll easily find it at the supermarket though you can always ask the butcher.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Be patient!<\/strong> – Don\u2019t be tempted to set your slow cooker on high for this one. The waiting is indeed the hardest part of this recipe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Put the onions down first<\/strong> – These create space between the pork and the bottom of your slow cooker, allowing the air to circulate and letting you get the most tender results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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      How to Cook Pulled Pork<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Pulled pork requires a little patience and timing since you will need to prep it and let it sit in the fridge overnight. After that though, you simply add your pulled pork recipe into your slow cooker and busy yourself while your home fills with delightful aromas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Choose pork shoulder or pork butt as it\u2019s sometimes found. It has the best fat content so the meat becomes wonderfully tender and divine in this bbq pulled pork crock pot method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Can you use pork loin for pulled pork?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Yes, though it\u2019s much leaner so it won\u2019t have quite the same rich flavor using pork shoulder brings to the dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How many pounds of pork will I need for pulled pork?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      That all depends on how many people you\u2019re serving. If it\u2019s just your little family of 4, you won\u2019t need a giant pork shoulder. But if you\u2019re throwing a party, you\u2019ll want something bigger. Generally, you should plan on one-half a pound of meat per person, keeping in mind that bone-in pork shoulder will net you about 60% in meat by weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      How do you make pulled pork more tender?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Making pulled pork more tender involves 2 crucial steps. The first is to plan ahead and marinate it overnight. The second step is to cook it in your slow cooker for 8 hours on low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What is the best liquid to cook pulled pork in?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      This bbq pulled pork recipe uses barbecue sauce. As the pork cooks slowly, the fat renders off, creating a juicy experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How do you make pulled pork sauce from scratch?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      It only takes your favorite barbecue sauce plus brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste to make an excellent pulled pork sauce yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Do you cook pulled pork covered or uncovered?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Pulled pork should be cooked in your slow cooker. It\u2019s easier this way too as you do very little work to make it tender and delicious. It will simply fall right apart once the timer is up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How Long to Cook Pulled Pork<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Pulled pork will take about 7 hours in your slow cooker. Don\u2019t rush a good thing. With the slow cooker, at least you can do plenty of other stuff while your pulled pork cooks up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How do you keep pulled pork moist?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      The slow cooker (crock pot) is all you need to keep pulled pork moist. With a pulled pork crock pot recipe you should have onions at the bottom, barbecue sauce, and its own rendered fat, to be plenty moist when it\u2019s done!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Best Ways to Use Pulled Pork Besides Sandwiches?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      I mentioned a few things at the top but you can certainly turned pulled pork into your favorite Mexican meals like tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and nachos. Add it to fried rice, soups, stews, gyros, shepherd\u2019s pie, and pizza. The reason why bbq pulled pork in a slow cooker is one of my favorite dishes it because of its versatility and it makes great leftovers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      What to Serve with Pulled Pork (Side Dishes)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      When I serve bbq pulled pork sandwiches, I usually add coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad with a dash of cayenne pepper, baked potatoes with a tablespoon of fresh whipped butter, jalapeno cornbread, mac n\u2019 cheese, and a chilled cucumber salad with a teaspoon of dressing. These are all great picnic foods that work beautifully with it and fill up a plate with balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      How to Store Pulled Pork<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Even with a big family, it can be hard to polish off all the pulled pork in a few days. Even when you use it different ways, everyone wants something else. After 4 days in the fridge, it needs to be frozen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Can You Freeze Pulled Pork?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Absolutely go ahead and freeze that pulled pork. I like to separate it into servings so I\u2019m not stuck with one giant bag of pulled pork. Once in a freezer bag or wrapped properly, it can last for 3 to 6 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How to Reheat Frozen Pulled Pork<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      After letting it thaw in the fridge, your frozen pulled pork can be heated in the oven at 350F for about 10 to 20 minutes. Add a little water if there\u2019s no sauce and cover it to keep it from drying out. Smaller portions can also be heated on the stovetop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Watch How To Make Pulled Pork (Video)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n