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Mouthwatering Slow-Cooked BBQ Pork for Perfect Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This delicious slow-cooked bbq pork recipe yields incredibly tender pulled pork that's perfect for sandwiches, tacos, nachos, and more. The meat becomes fall-apart tender after hours in the slow cooker, absorbing all the smoky, sweet flavors of the sauce.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 528
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 4-5 pound pork shoulder Boston butt
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1½ cups barbecue sauce store-bought or homemade
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • 8 hamburger buns for serving
  • Coleslaw for serving (optional)
  • Pickle slices for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder, leaving some for flavor and moisture. Cut the meat into 3-4 inch chunks to ensure even cooking.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the pork pieces on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
  3. Transfer the browned pork to the slow cooker. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the chopped onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
  4. Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Transfer this mixture to the slow cooker.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Pour this sauce over the pork in the slow cooker.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is extremely tender and falls apart easily when prodded with a fork.
  7. Once cooked, transfer the pork pieces to a large bowl, leaving the sauce in the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the meat, removing any remaining fat or gristle.
  8. If the sauce in the slow cooker seems too thin, turn the heat to high and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes to reduce. For an even thicker sauce, you can transfer it to a saucepan on the stove.
  9. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix with the sauce. Keep warm until ready to serve.
  10. Toast the hamburger buns lightly if desired. Pile the pulled pork onto the bottom halves, add coleslaw and pickles if using, and cover with the top buns.

Nutrition

Calories: 528kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 32gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 803mgFiber: 3gSugar: 17g
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