Best Pulled Pork Recipe

This easy Pulled Pork recipe is made with pork shoulder (or butt), pantry spices and coke to tenderize the meat and add sweetness to the seasonings. The result if perfect, tender and juicy pork cooked in the oven, slow cooker or instant pot!

Whether you’re planning food for a party, BBQ, or a simple weeknight dinner, this pulled pork recipe is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Serve it with BBQ sauce and your favorites side dishes, or serve it in sandwiches, tacos, nachos and more. If you’re cooking for a larger gathering or party see my tips in the post for how to calculate how much pulled pork you’ll need per person.

How to make Pulled Pork

Tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked Pulled Pork you can make in the oven, slow cooker or instant pot.

Prep: 20min

Total: 320min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 310 kcal, Carbohydrate 9 g, Protein 36 g, Fat 13 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 124 mg, Sodium 554 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 7 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 4 lb pork shoulder (, or butt)
• 2 Tablespoons oil (optional if searing)
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 12 ounces coke (not diet)
• bbq sauce for coating meat (optional)

Instruction:

1. Trim pork of excess fat and cut into 4 pieces.
2. Combine spices in a small bowl and rub all over the pork. (This can be done the night before).
3. Sear (optional): Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a Dutch oven pot over medium-high heat. Add the meat and sear for a few seconds on all sides.
4. Oven Method: Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Pour coke around the pork in the Dutch oven pot. Cover pot with lid and cook for 3 hours. Remove lid and cook for an additional 1-2 hours, until pork is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. Remove from oven and shred meat. Toss in barbecue sauce, if desired.
5. Slow Cooker Method: Place pork in slow cooker and pour coke around it. Cover and cook on LOW (recommended) 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
6. Instant Pot Method: Place pork in instant pot and pour coke around it. Cook on Manual/High pressure for 70 minutes. When timer beeps, allow the pot to naturally release pressure, about 15 minutes longer. Remove lid and shred the meat.

Best Pulled Pork

Best Pulled Pork is fall apart tender, juicy, and packed with flavor from the perfect seasoning! This pulled pork can be made in the slow cooker or oven!

Prep: 10min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 266 kcal, Carbohydrate 12 g, Protein 39 g, Fat 6 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 102 mg, Sodium 755 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 9 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 3-4 Pound Boneless Pork Shoulder
• 1/3 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 1/2 Cup Beef Broth
• 1/3 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• BBQ Sauce
• Buns

Instruction:

1. OPTIONAL: Wrap in plastic wrap, place in the refrigerator and chill for 2-12 hours.
2. Place the pork into the slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours until fork tender and falling apart. Remove the pork to a large plate, tent with foil and allow the pork to sit for 10 minutes. Shred the pork and serve with buns and bbq sauce if desired. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
3. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days, and frozen for up to 2 months.

Perfect Pulled Pork Recipe

Best ever pulled pork recipe made in the oven.

Prep: 12h

Total: 24h

Yield: 3

Nutrition Facts: servingSize None, calories 369 calories, Sugar 9.1 g, Sodium 1041.6 mg, Fat 14.5 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Trans Fat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 11.6 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 48.9 g, Cholesterol 156 mg

Ingredients:

• 1 (4-7 pound) whole Boston Butt or pork shoulder (bone-in with a layer of fat on the bottom)
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 quarts cold water
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 tablespoons dry rub mix

Instruction:

1. Mix well and store in an air tight container.
2. Add salt to cold water and stir very well until all the salt is completely dissolved. Then add the brown sugar, dry rub, and bay leaves and stir well to combine.
3. When the shoulder has reached 200 degrees, shut off the oven and let the roast cool for a couple of hours before removing from the oven. If the bottom of the pan is dry (or crusted with dried spices) then cover the pan with foil to retain internal moisture of the meat during the cooling period. When the temperature drops to 170 degrees or slightly lower, remove from oven. Place on a large, clean work surface such as a cutting board, and remove the large sheet of crusted fat on the top. Pull apart with two forks, it will pull apart very easily. Serve for friends and family!

How to Smoke Pork Butt / How to Make Pulled Pork Recipe

FAQ

What is the secret to tender pulled pork?

What makes the best pulled pork?

What is the best liquid to cook pulled pork in?

Why do you put apple cider vinegar in pulled pork?