Make incredibly tender, flavorful shredded pork using your slow cooker. This set and forget dinner recipe is perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:9 hours
Total Time:9 hours 15 min
Yield:8 servings
Category:Dinner
Method:Slow Cooking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
4 lb pork shoulder (Boston butt)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Your favorite BBQ sauce, for serving
Instructions
Wipe the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper to create your dry rub.
Rub the spice mixture evenly over the entire surface of the pork shoulder.
Pour the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce into the bottom of your slow cooker.
Place the seasoned pork shoulder directly into the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or until the pork is fork-tender and easily shreds. For best results, aim for an internal temperature around 200°F.
Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a large cutting board or baking sheet. Reserve the cooking liquid.
Use two forks to shred all the meat. Discard any large pieces of fat.
Skim any excess fat from the surface of the reserved cooking liquid. You can use this liquid to keep the meat moist.
Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. Pour about 1 cup of the reserved liquid over the meat. Stir gently to combine.
Stir in your favorite BBQ sauce to taste, or serve the sauce on the side. Keep warm on the ‘Keep Warm’ setting until ready to serve on sandwich rolls or tacos.
Notes
For extra juicy results, shred the pork directly in the slow cooker with the remaining liquid.
If you want a slightly crispier texture, place the shredded pork on a baking sheet, drizzle with a little liquid, and broil for 3-5 minutes until the edges brown slightly.
This recipe makes excellent meal prep protein for the week.