Tender, saucy, fall-apart pulled pork — with just 10 minutes of prep.

I used to think BBQ pulled pork was only for special occasions. The kind of thing that needed hours of babysitting in the oven or a smoker I didn’t have.

Then I discovered the magic of my slow cooker.

Now, this is one of those dinners I can throw together in the morning and completely forget about until the whole house starts smelling like a backyard cookout. The meat gets so tender it literally falls apart with a fork, and that sweet-smoky BBQ flavor soaks into every bite.

It’s a go-to in our house for game day, casual company, or just a night when I need dinner to make itself.

Ingredients

• 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (also called pork butt), trimmed of excess fat

• 1 medium onion, sliced

• 1 tbsp smoked paprika

• 2 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp chili powder

• 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite kind — we love a smoky-sweet one)

• ½ cup chicken broth or water

• Extra BBQ sauce for serving

Instructions

1. Prep the pork: Pat the pork shoulder dry. In a small bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Rub this spice mix all over the pork.

2. Layer in the slow cooker: Place sliced onions on the bottom of your slow cooker. Place the seasoned pork on top. Pour in BBQ sauce and broth.

3. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours (or HIGH for 5–6), until the pork is super tender and shreds easily with a fork.

4. Shred & sauce: Remove pork, shred it with two forks, then return it to the slow cooker to soak in the juices. Add extra BBQ sauce if desired.

5. Serve how you like it: On buns with coleslaw, over sweet potatoes, in lettuce wraps, or even in a grain bowl.

Tips & Swaps

• Leftovers freeze beautifully. Portion into bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months.

• Low sugar BBQ? Look for brands with clean ingredients or make your own!

• No pork shoulder? Pork loin works too — just reduce cook time slightly and expect a leaner texture.

• Serving a crowd? This is perfect for meal prepping or parties — just double the batch.

Why You'll Love It

This pulled pork is everything you want: tender, flavorful, fuss-free, and endlessly versatile. The slow cooker does all the work while you get on with your day.

It’s a dinnertime win that feels like comfort food — without the chaos.

Nutrition (Per Serving – serves 8)

• Calories: 320

• Protein: 28g

• Carbs: 10g

• Fat: 18g

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 6g