Ah, the magic of a slow cooker—it’s like having a secret helper in the kitchen. If you’re anything like me, the smell of tender, smoky pulled pork slowly filling the house is nothing short of a sensory symphony. Honestly, I sometimes think it could solve world peace—okay, maybe that’s a stretch—but for a BBQ lover, it’s pure bliss.
Steps
- Begin by pouring a teaspoon of vegetable oil into the slow cooker, and then place the pork shoulder roast on top of the oil.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, including barbecue sauce, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic, dried thyme, and chopped onion, to the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook the pork until it becomes tender enough to shred easily with a fork.
- Once cooked, shred the pork and return it to the slow cooker, mixing it with the cooking juices to ensure full flavor.
- To make sandwiches, serve the shredded pulled pork on buttered hamburger buns.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 4-pound pork shoulder roast
- Bottled barbecue sauce (quantity as per taste or recipe specifics)
- Yellow mustard (quantity as per taste or recipe specifics)
- Worcestershire sauce (quantity as per taste or recipe specifics)
- Apple cider vinegar (quantity as per taste or recipe specifics)
- Chicken broth, either store-bought or homemade (quantity as per taste or recipe specifics)
- Light brown sugar (quantity as per taste or recipe specifics)
- Chili powder (quantity as per taste or recipe specifics)
- Garlic (quantity as per taste or recipe specifics)
- Dried thyme (quantity as per taste or recipe specifics)
- 1 chopped onion
- Buttered hamburger buns (for serving, if making sandwiches)
FAQ
- What cut of meat is best for this pulled pork recipe?
- For this recipe, it’s recommended to use a pork shoulder roast. This cut is cost-effective, easy to handle, and typically contains a lot of marbling, which ensures the pork turns out tender and flavorful.
- How much pulled pork should I prepare per person?
- Plan to serve about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of pulled pork per person. This recipe uses a 4-pound pork roast, which is enough to serve approximately eight people.
- What are some good side dishes to serve with pulled pork?
- Some classic side dishes to accompany pulled pork include baked beans, simple macaroni and cheese, and traditional creamy coleslaw.
- How should I store leftover pulled pork?
- Place the cooled pulled pork in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you wish to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to six months.
- What is the best way to reheat pulled pork?
- To keep the pulled pork moist, it’s best to reheat it in the oven or slow cooker, rather than using a microwave. Retain the juices from cooking and use them during reheating to enhance the flavor and texture.
Tips
- Ensure your pork shoulder roast is the right size for your slow cooker, and adjust the ingredient amounts and cooking time if your cut is larger or smaller than four pounds.
- For a flavorful twist, consider adding extra ingredients like pepperoncini peppers or a few splashes of hot sauce to your slow cooker.
- To maintain moisture when reheating, use the oven or slow cooker instead of the microwave, and save the juices to reheat with the pork.
- If you’re preparing pulled pork sandwiches, serve the meat on buttered buns for added flavor and richness.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker: Essential for cooking the pulled pork low and slow to achieve tenderness.
- Meat Shredding Claws: Useful for shredding the pork easily once it’s cooked.
