Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Recipe (2024)

Have you got a million dollar idea? Look to your hometown for flavor inspiration like I did with this Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue recipe, and you just might! Thanks to theLay's "Do Us A Flavor" contest.

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Recipe (1)



Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Recipe (3)

That's right ~ the ever-popular, now-iconic Lay's "Do Us A Flavor" contest has returned, with a $1 million grand prize for the best potato chip flavor idea. $1 million! And you may just be the one with that $1 million dollar idea.

And this year, there's an exciting new twist for the contest ... the Lay's brand is asking entrants to include the city and state that inspired the flavor. So, do you have a hometown favorite flavor? Or, a special regionally-inspired dish? Then you've got a "Do Us a Flavor" idea!

So pop on over to the "Do Us A Flavor" siteto view official rules and enter it!

Today through March 30, 2015, Lay's fans are encouraged to visit the "Do Us A Flavor" site and submit their ideas for the next great potato chip flavor. {See the Lay's "Do Us A Flavor" site for complete details and official rules.} Then later this year, four fabulous flavor finalists ... representing four fabulously flavorful cities and towns across the U.S. ... will be brought to store shelves and voted on by all of America.

How cool is that?

And I'm tellin' ya, that winning idea may just be your idea.

I have absolutely no doubt in my mind what my hometown-inspired flavor idea would be ~ Carolina Pulled Pork Barbecue.

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Recipe (4)

See, because I'm fortunate to live in the very heart of Carolina pulled pork barbecue country ~ Lexington, NC. Of course, around these parts, we simply refer to the wonderful stuff as barbecue. No 'pulled pork' required.

That's right, Lexington, NC is the Barbecue capital of North Carolina ... and some would argue, of the world.

Lexington-style barbecue is a labor of love ... pork shoulder cooked slowly over a hardwood fire for hours, lovingly infused with nothing-short-of-amazing smoky goodness. The meat is then doused with a tomato-and-vinegar-based sauce ... the recipe of which is unique to each of the area's many barbecue joints.

And quite honestly? The merits of each barbecue sauce is truly a hotly debated topic in barbecue country. Spirited discussions are known to erupt over which sauce is the best or favorite!

With it's culture so firmly rooted in barbecue, it's no surprise Lexington pays great homage to the pig. And evidence of this can easily be seen with just a simple walk about town ... doing a little about-the-town pig spotting ...

Like "Barbecue Pig" ... and "Lawyer Pig" ...

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Recipe (5)

... and "Justice Pig". And my favorite ... "Miss Puffy," the Red Bird Mints {made in Lexington} pig.

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Recipe (6)

Oh, and pig bench for a rest, anyone?

Like good barbecue country folks, our family loves us some barbecue ... especially my husband, Mark. He can put away a pound of the stuff in one sitting by himself, I swear. Barbecue is a staple at gatherings and get-togethers in these parts ... and, much to the delight of my hubby, was served at our engagement party, our rehearsal dinner, and is our family's Christmas Eve dinner tradition.

Our favorite Lexington barbecue place?

Smiley's!

Oh, they get such great smoky flavor in their 'cue. And I love their hushpuppies, too ... You just gotta have a side of hushpuppies with barbecue!

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Recipe (7)

I wasn't always a barbecue lover, mind you. Growing up in Vermont, I didn't know what the stuff was until I met my Southern then soon-to-be sister-in-law, a Charlotte, NC native.

To me, ... as to most New Englanders ... barbecue was a verb not a noun. You know, you go outside on the grill and barbecue some chicken. Or ribs. Or hot dogs. Or whatever you happen to be barbecueing. So the classic North/South barbecue misunderstanding began when my soon-to-be sister-in-law asked the simple question ...

"Do you like barbecue?"

And I replied, "Barbecued what?"

"Barbecue," she said back.

"Barbecued what?" I responded.

"You know, barbecue."

... a back-and-forth exchange I think would have gone on all day if my Northern-born, transplanted-to-the-South brother hadn't stepped in to explain that we had different understandings of that word barbecue.

A classic, classic moment.

And so, I think it's only appropriate that I got this Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue recipe from none other than my sister-in-law.

And believe me, now that I live in the South, I truly understand both the verb and noun use of the word.

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Recipe (8)

Now, I don't evenbeginto proclaim ... nor would my sister-in-law ... that this easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue recipe comes anywhere closeto creating the smoky slow-cooked deliciousness that the Lexington BBQ kings create. What they do with a roasting pit and pork is an art form.

But in the comfort of your own home, a slow cooker and a bit of liquid smoke will produce a tender and juicy pulled pork barbecue that will hold you over until you can get your hands on the real thing.

Now ... I've got to ask ... do you think the Lay's brand could work the hushpuppies into my Carolina Pulled Pork Barbecue potato chip "Do Us A Flavor"contest idea? Like, maybe 3/4 of the bag be Pulled Pork Barbecue flavored, and 1/4 be hushpuppie flavored??

Ohhhhhh, it would be so good if they could!

Check out these other tasty slow cooker dinner recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Beef Tips
  • Creamy Crock Pot Round Steak
  • Slow Cooker Apple Pork Loin
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff
  • Slow Cooker Meatloaf
  • Slow Cooker Bacon Macaroni and Cheese
  • Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole
  • Crock Pot Creamed Corn
  • Moremain dish recipes

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Recipe (9)



slow cooker pork roast recipe, slow cooker pulled pork recipe, crock pot pork roast recipe, crock pot pulled pork, pulled pork barbecue recipe

Main Dishes

Yield: varies

Author:Tracey | The Kitchen is My Playground

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Recipe (11)

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue

Create tender and juicy pulled pork barbecue at home with this easy slow cooker recipe.

prep time: 10 Mcook time: 8 hourtotal time: 8 H & 10 M

ingredients:

  • 3 to 5 lb. Boston butt pork roast
  • 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 c. ketchup
  • 1/3 c. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/3 c. apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 c. brown sugar
  • 1 T. dry ground mustard
  • 1 T. garlic powder
  • 3/4 tsp. liquid smoke
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/8 tsp. red chili pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper

instructions:

How to cook Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue

  1. Combine ketchup, Worcestershire, vinegar, brown sugar, dry mustard, garlic powder, liquid smoke, paprika, red chili pepper, salt, and pepper in a slow cooker. Whisk until well blended.
  2. Place onions and pork into ketchup mixture, turning to coat both sides of the pork. Cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours.
  3. After meat is cooked, remove meat into a baking pan or onto a large plate. Use two forks to shred meat; discard bones. Place meat back into warm sauce to reheat.
  4. If desired, serve on Kaiser rolls with coleslaw.

https://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2015/03/easy-slow-cooker-pulled-pork-barbecue-recipe.html

Created using The Recipes Generator


I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.


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Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Recipe (12)

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Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you put BBQ sauce on pulled pork before or after cooking? ›

Apply the sauce after the meat has been cooked. Depending on the cooking temperature and the type of sugar, a sweet sauce can get gummy or even burn. So, apply the sauce at the end, about 15-30 minutes before removing the pork to add rich flavor.

Do I need to add liquid to pulled pork in slow cooker? ›

You don't need much liquid to slow cook pork since it releases juices while cooking when using the low setting. I use just enough to flavor the pork along with the reserved juices of the pork and serve the extra BBQ sauce on the side. If you wish to add liquid, you can add 1 cup of chicken broth.

What is the best liquid to cook pulled pork in? ›

Transfer everything to a large slow cooker and add a splash of liquid — water is great, but so is broth, apple juice, or beer if you have them handy. Cover and cook on low until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.

Will BBQ sauce burn in a slow cooker? ›

No, BBQ sauce won't burn in an instant pot or slow cooker, as long as there's enough liquid in the pot. However, if you're using a high-sugar BBQ sauce, you may want to add a little extra liquid to prevent burning.

How much BBQ sauce do i add to pulled pork? ›

While the pork is still warm, use two forks to pull the meat away from the bone into large shreds. Remove and discard any large pieces of fat or sinew. Put the shredded pork in a large bowl or dish and pour about two-thirds of the barbecue sauce over it. Toss so that the pork is evenly coated with the sauce.

Why add apple cider vinegar to pulled pork? ›

Why add apple cider vinegar to pulled pork? Pulled pork relies on both the vinegar's acidity and the low-and-slow cooking process to tenderize the meat, breaking down the protein to give the dish its signature moist, fall-apart texture. Cider vinegar also provides a tangy counterpoint to the fatty pork.

What liquid keeps pulled pork moist? ›

Additionally, spray chicken broth or apple juice on the meat to prevent it from losing more moisture in the crockpot. To add a strong flavor during the process, white wine can also be sprayed. You can shred the pork during smoking or in the crockpot.

Should you flip pork shoulder in slow cooker? ›

Close the Proofer and allow the pork to cook for a total of 10 or 11 hours. Midway during the slow cook process you can turn the pork over once. After 10 hours check the interior of the pork with a thermometer. We recommend a temperature of 195-200 °F / 90-93 °C for tender, juicy pork which pulls apart easily.

How do I get more flavor in my pulled pork? ›

We use brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, a good amount of salt & pepper, and a pinch of cayenne! Make sure you use all of the seasoning! Also, really rub it into the pulled pork, get all of the nooks and crannies!

What is the secret to pulled pork? ›

Pulled pork is made with pork shoulder, also called pork butt for whatever reason, and has lots of collagen which when cooked low and slow melts into gelatin which makes for tons of flavor and moist meat. Best to cook at about 200–225°F and get the internal temperature up to 190°F.

Can you use co*ke instead of root beer for pulled pork? ›

Many sodas will work in the same way. Colas, like co*ke or Pepsi, or even flavored versions of cola (cherry for example) lend their flavors nicely to slow-cooked pork. Dr. Pepper is also a favorite to use to tenderize pulled pork, along with ginger ale or even hard cider.

Should pulled pork have BBQ sauce? ›

The sauce definitely adds a lot of flavor, but it's also functional, as it brings more moisture to pulled pork, which is especially helpful on the second or third day after you've made it.

How do you thicken BBQ sauce for pulled pork? ›

You can use either flour or cornstarch to thicken BBQ sauce. Just mix together 2 tbsp (16 g) of flour and ¼ cup (62.5 mL) of water, or combine 1 tbsp (9 g) of cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water. Continue mixing the thickener until there are no lumps of flour or cornstarch.

How do BBQ restaurants keep pulled pork moist? ›

I have seen broth, apple juice, water mixed with liquid smoke or other things added to pulled pork to keep it moist.

Do you put BBQ sauce on during or after cooking? ›

Focus on searing the meat and then cooking it until it reaches a safe inside temperature at the thickest part. Sauces are best applied near the end of cooking to prevent burning. Only baste it with sauce during the final five minutes of cooking. The taste will blow you away without any burned mess on your grill.

Do you put barbecue sauce on before or after oven? ›

You only add BBQ sauce near the very end of cooking, so if you are going to be cooking your drumsticks for 45 minutes, at 35 minutes apply your BBQ sauce and cook it enough for it to warm up and maybe caramelize a little, but be careful because BBQ sauce has allot of sugar and tends to burn.

Can you put BBQ sauce on before cooking? ›

Marinating. Use BBQ sauce as a marinade for meats, poultry, or seafood before grilling. This will infuse the food with flavor and help keep it moist while cooking.

How do you add flavor to pulled pork after cooking? ›

This thin, vinegar-based finishing sauce, which differs from a BBQ sauce, is the secret ingredient to kick up my smoked pulled pork. After you've pulled your pork butt, drizzle over the meat and combine. The vinegar adds contrast to the smoky flavor and cuts through the fat in the meat.

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