Budget-Friendly Crockpot Pulled Pork for Sliders
Make a large batch of tender, flavorful pulled pork using your slow cooker. This hands-off recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd at graduation parties or any gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 9 hours
- Total Time: 9 hours 15 min
- Yield: 12-16 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lb pork shoulder (Boston butt), trimmed
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Slider buns, for serving
- Your favorite barbecue sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Place the sliced onion in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to create the rub.
- Rub the spice mixture evenly over the entire pork shoulder.
- Place the seasoned pork shoulder on top of the onions in the slow cooker.
- Pour the apple cider vinegar and water around the pork.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the pork is very tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a large cutting board. Discard any large pieces of fat.
- Shred the pork using two forks. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker.
- Stir the shredded pork into the cooking liquid remaining in the slow cooker until it is coated and moist. Cook on the warm setting for 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve the slow cooker pulled pork piled high on slider buns with your favorite barbecue sauce.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can substitute the water with an equal amount of chicken broth.
- If you want a thicker sauce, remove about 1 cup of the cooking liquid and simmer it on the stovetop until it reduces slightly, then pour it back over the meat.
- This recipe makes excellent leftovers for tacos or pork bowls.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz meat without bun
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 42
- Cholesterol: 110