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    Home » Recipes » Cooking Style » Slow Cooker Recipes

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on a Bun

    Published: Jun 14, 2016 by Terri Gilson · Modified: May 28, 2023 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

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    slow cooker pulled pork on a bun on a white plate

    I can't believe that Slow Cooker Pulled Pork has eluded me until now. A colleague recently asked me for advice on cooking pulled pork and I had to admit I'd never actually made it. Now I am wishing I had this gem in my repertoire years ago.

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on a bun | #crockpotpulledpork- Foodmeanderings.com

    This slow cooker smoky shredded pork, piled high on a bun, with a quick broccoli slaw, is perfect for when you need to feed a crowd. It's popular during the summer, but great any time of the year!

    Jump to:
    • 💭Shredded Pork Shoulder prepped ahead of time!
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 💭 Top tip
    • 🎥 Video
    • 🍽Equipment
    • 🌡️Storage
    • 👪 Serving Size
    • 🔢WW Points
    • 📋 Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on a Bun Recipe

    I tend to shy away from slow cooker recipes because although I love the concept, I found that they all started to morph into the same stringy, stewy dish. But not this one! No siree... this crock pot pulled pork is flawlessly tender, juicy and smothered in a rich, smoky tomato sauce with just the right amount of tang.

    This shredded pork recipe really is the perfect cold winter meal or summer meal for a hot day and is always great for a small, casual gathering or even when you need to feed a bigger crowd. It's one of those meals that is easy enough to throw together, but tastes like you went to a lot more trouble than you actually did. And how can you not love that?!

    💭Shredded Pork Shoulder prepped ahead of time!

    I love that you can prep the pork shoulder in a slow cooker the night before and come home to the delicious aroma of a tasty meal! I add everything to the crockpot the night before, stick it in the fridge, then turn it on before I leave the next morning.

    🥘 Ingredients

    • I added liquid smoke to my version (which you can get at just about any grocery store) and a quick broccoli slaw.
    • Pile it high on buns and garnish it with some tamed Jalapenos or sliced Pepperoncini (affiliate links) for even more zing (if that's your thing) and add some cilantro to give it a welcome freshness!
    • Note that when you're looking for pork shoulder blade roast at the grocery store, it goes by several names, including picnic roast,  Boston butt, blade roast, pork butt and simply pork shoulder. 
    Slow cooker pulled pork recipe | #crockpotpulledpork - Foodmeanderings.com

    💭 Top tip

    I recommend you brown the pork all over before transferring it to the slow cooker. It seals in the flavor, gives it a nice texture (not too mushy), and makes for an all-around better pulled pork!

    🎥 Video

    Here is a how-to video: How to pull pork *However, I shred mine a little more than he does in this video. You can also shred pork with your stand mixer or hand mixer! It's much faster than doing it with forks and it comes out perfectly evenly shredded.

    🍽Equipment

    You will need a 6 quart  slow cooker (affiliate link) for this recipe.

    🌡️Storage

    Store leftover pulled pork in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Store the coleslaw in a separate container and keep the buns in a plastic bag at room temperature. You can also freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

    And if you love pulled pork, give my Slow Cooker Gluten-free & Healthy Pork Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork) at try! It's also great for feeding a crowd, especially in the summer when you don't want to turn on your oven!

    Authentic Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas - foodmeanderings.com

    👪 Serving Size

    This recipe makes 10 servings. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.

    🔢WW Points

    This recipe is Weight Watchers friendly @ 10 ww points per serving. You can further reduce the points by using a lower point bun.

    If you are looking for the best slow cooker pulled pork for pulled pork on a bun, you have arrived! It's the perfect summer or winter potluck idea, especially if you are feeding a crowd!

    And be sure to check out my Slow Cooker Beef on a Bun too!

    beef on a bun on a grey plate with coleslaw and beans
    slow cooker pulled pork sandwich on a white plate with a colorful tea towel in the background
    Food Meandering Logo

    📋 Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on a Bun Recipe

    This slow cooker smoky shredded pork, piled high on a bun, with a quick broccoli slaw, is the perfect summer potluck or BBQ idea or for when you just  need to feed a crowd.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Canadian, North American
    Keyword: pulled pork, pulled pork on a bun, slow cooker
    Servings: 10 servings
    Calories: 293kcal
    Author: Terri Gilson
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 8 hours hours
    Total Time: 8 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    slow cooker

    Ingredients

    • 3-½  lb  pork shoulder blade roast (1.6 kg)
    • ½  teaspoon  salt (2 mL) 
    • ½  teaspoon  pepper (2 mL) 
    • 2  tablespoon  vegetable oil (30 mL) 
    • 1 onion , diced
    • 4  cloves garlic , minced
    • 2  tablespoon  chili powder (30 mL) 
    • 2  teaspoon  dried cilantro (10 mL)
    • 2  bay leaves
    • ¼  cup  tomato paste (60 mL) 
    • 1  14 oz can tomato sauce (398 mL) 
    • 2  tablespoon  packed brown sugar (30 mL) 
    • 2  tablespoon  cider vinegar (30 mL) 
    • 2  tablespoon  Worcestershire sauce (30 mL) 
    • 1 tablespoon natural hickory liquid smoke flavour
    • 1 -12 oz bag broccoli slaw 340 g
    • 4-6 tablespoon coleslaw dressing (add to your liking)
    • ½ cup sliced pepperoncini or pickled jalapenos (optional)
    • 10 whole wheat buns

    Instructions

    • Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. In Dutch oven or large,  deep frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown pork all over. Transfer to slow cooker.
    • Add onions, garlic, chili powder, cilantro and bay leaves to Dutch oven/frying pan; cook, stirring often, until onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
    • Add tomato paste; cook, stirring, about 2 minutes. Add tomato sauce, sugar, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke, Pour into slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until pork is tender, about 8 hours.
    • Transfer pork to cutting board and when cooled for about 10 minutes, remove any fat and bone. With 2 forks, shred or “pull” pork.  (See video on how to pull pork in notes) 
    • Meanwhile, pour liquid from slow cooker into large saucepan; skim off fat. Bring to boil over high heat; boil vigorously until reduced to 3 cups, 10 to 12 minutes. Discard bay leaves.
    • Add pulled pork to reduced liquid; stir to coat and warm through.
    • Pile meat on bun.
    • Broccoli slaw: Mix broccoli slaw and coleslaw salad dressing together and add to bun.
    • Add peperoncini or jalapenos, if desired.

    Notes

    💭 Top tip
    I recommend you brown the pork all over before transferring it to the slow cooker. It seals in the flavor, gives it a nice texture (not to mushy) and makes for an all 'round better pulled pork!
    🎥 Video
    Here is a how to video: How to pull pork *However, I shred mine a little more than he does in this video.
    *Note: This recipe is for a 6 quart slow cooker
    **Note: Pork shoulder goes by several names at the grocery store including picnic roast Boston butt, blade roast and pork butt. 
    ***Note:  I use Mezzetta Golden Greek sliced pepperoncini because I became addicted to it after using it to create contest entries.
    Nutrition Facts
    📋 Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on a Bun Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (1 sandwich)
    Calories 293 Calories from Fat 108
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 12g18%
    Saturated Fat 5g31%
    Cholesterol 36mg12%
    Sodium 594mg26%
    Potassium 450mg13%
    Carbohydrates 30g10%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 9g10%
    Protein 15g30%
    Vitamin A 745IU15%
    Vitamin C 10.8mg13%
    Calcium 72mg7%
    Iron 3.3mg18%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 293kcal (15%) | Carbohydrates: 30g (10%) | Protein: 15g (30%) | Fat: 12g (18%) | Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) | Cholesterol: 36mg (12%) | Sodium: 594mg (26%) | Potassium: 450mg (13%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 9g (10%) | Vitamin A: 745IU (15%) | Vitamin C: 10.8mg (13%) | Calcium: 72mg (7%) | Iron: 3.3mg (18%)
    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
    Rate this Recipe

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sue Slaght

      June 15, 2016 at 10:40 am

      I love my slow cooker although I seem to use it in phases of life. I'm not a big meat eater but I will admit this looks delicious, especially the slaw. 🙂

      Reply
      • Food Meanderings

        June 15, 2016 at 5:25 pm

        Thanks, Sue. Yes, you could use a bit less meat and more slaw. I know you're not a red meat girl, but pork is "the other white meat!"

        Reply
        • Sue Slaght

          June 16, 2016 at 11:49 pm

          Yes according to the pork producers. 🙂

          Reply
          • Food Meanderings

            June 17, 2016 at 4:55 am

            Yes, it's very good marketing!

            Reply
    2. Sheryl

      June 18, 2016 at 4:22 pm

      Just looking at the picture makes me hungry for pulled pork. . . and I like the slow cooker recipe.

      Reply
      • Food Meanderings

        June 18, 2016 at 4:46 pm

        Thanks, Sheryl! Yes, this recipe definitely renewed my slow cooker love!

        Reply
    3. Peta Kaplan

      June 19, 2016 at 10:43 pm

      This looks amazing, even though I do not eat much meat. You could no doubt convince me to take a bite. The broccoli slaw looks killer. My hubby would LOVE this! He ate delicious pulled pork in Cuba. One of their specialties.

      Peta

      Reply
      • Food Meanderings

        June 20, 2016 at 7:13 am

        Thank you, Peta. I was really pleased with the flavor, being it was the first time I'd every made it! It tasted just like what I'd had a the southern BBQ house in Calgary. I hope your husband likes it and maybe you sneak a little taste yourself!.

        Reply
    4. simplysundaysfoodblog

      June 21, 2016 at 2:51 pm

      Yum! Great recipe! Thanks for your submission to The Tastes of Summer!

      Reply
      • Food Meanderings

        June 21, 2016 at 5:51 pm

        Thanks- it was a great opportunity to try making something new!

        Reply

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    I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer, and a busy working mom who is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks, and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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    560 shares