Description
This easy slow cooker pulled pork recipe uses just five ingredients including Dr Pepper for a sweet and savory flavor. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and family gatherings, it delivers tender, juicy pork with minimal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt)
- 12 ounces Dr Pepper (regular or diet, regular preferred for caramelization)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (e.g., Sweet Baby Ray’s)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim any large, thick pieces of fat from the pork shoulder. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Season the pork generously with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Place the seasoned pork shoulder in the slow cooker basin.
- Pour the entire 12 oz can of Dr Pepper over the pork. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours until pork easily pulls apart with a fork.
- Remove pork from slow cooker and shred using two forks or meat claws. Discard large pieces of fat if desired.
- Transfer shredded pork to a mixing bowl and stir in 1 cup BBQ sauce until well coated. Add more sauce if desired.
- Return sauced pork to the slow cooker on warm setting for up to 30 minutes to keep warm and let flavors marry.
- If sauce is too thin, remove pork and simmer liquid on stove until thickened, then toss back with pork.
Notes
For best tenderness, cook low and slow rather than rushing with high heat. Let pork rest 10 minutes before shredding to retain juices. Use regular Dr Pepper for better caramelization. If sauce is thin, simmer liquid separately to thicken. Can substitute cola or root beer but flavor will differ. For spicy variation, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce. Use gluten-free BBQ sauce for gluten-free diet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 pound (115
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Protein: 28
Keywords: pulled pork, slow cooker, Dr Pepper, BBQ, easy recipe, comfort food, pork shoulder