Sweet & Smoky Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

If you’ve never made pulled pork in a slow cooker before, prepare to be amazed at how effortlessly it comes together. With a trusty slow cooker and a handful of flavorful ingredients, you’ll have fork-tender, succulent pulled pork that tastes like you’ve been babysitting a smoker all day. This Sweet & Smoky Slow Cooker Pulled Pork delivers the perfect balance of savory spices and a caramelized, almost candy-like sweetness, guaranteed to impress at every bite.

Ingredients

• 3–4 pounds boneless pork shoulder (also called Boston butt)
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (dark or light)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup barbecue sauce (choose your favorite style)
• ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth

Instructions

Grab your pork shoulder and pat it dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Then, rub it down with the smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and a dusting of cayenne if you like a little spice. Make sure every bit of the meat is evenly coated with this fragrant spice mix.

Next, layer the sliced onion at the bottom of your slow cooker. It serves as a flavorful base for the pork and ensures it doesn’t stick. Place the seasoned pork shoulder right on top.

In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, barbecue sauce, and broth. Pour this sweet and tangy mixture over the pork so that it drips down around the edges, coating the meat with flavor from every angle.

Now, cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it on low. Let the pork cook low and slow for about 8 hours (or on high for 4–5 hours, if you’re pressed for time). Resist the urge to peek too often — keeping that lid on helps lock in the heat and moisture, resulting in super-tender meat.

Once the pork is done, remove it to a cutting board. Using two forks, shred it to your preferred consistency. If you’d like extra flavor and moisture, return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and give it a stir in its own juices. Now you’ve got a batch of gloriously tender, sweet, and smoky pulled pork, ready to serve!

Serve piled high on soft buns with crunchy coleslaw, or add it to tacos, nachos, or baked potatoes. The possibilities truly are endless.

This slow cooker pulled pork is a real crowd-pleaser, perfect for anyone who loves easy comfort food with big flavor. It’s also a good option if you’re watching your fat intake—just trim any visible fat before cooking. Feel free to tweak the spice blend or barbecue sauce to adjust the heat or sweetness. For an extra tangy twist, add a splash of apple cider vinegar toward the end of cooking. Whichever way you choose to make it, you’ll have a hearty, tender, and delicious dish that takes minimal effort and rewards you with maximum taste.