Pulled Pork Better Than Your Mama's

Get ready to redefine comfort food with "Pulled Pork Better Than Your Mama's" — a slow-cooked masterpiece that delivers rich, smoky-sweet flavor in every tender, juicy bite. This foolproof recipe begins with a succulent pork shoulder, seasoned generously with a homemade spice rub featuring paprika, garlic, and a touch of optional cayenne for a kick. Slow-cooked to perfection in apple cider vinegar and barbecue sauce, this pulled pork is impossibly moist and practically melts in your mouth. Whether piled onto soft buns with tangy coleslaw, tucked into tacos, or served over fluffy rice, this versatile dish is bound to steal the spotlight at your next gathering. With just 15 minutes of prep time and your trusty slow cooker doing the heavy lifting, it’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it recipe for crowd-pleasing, fall-apart tender pulled pork. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or game-day feasts!

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:495 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Pork shoulder (also called Boston butt)
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Paprika
• 1.5 teaspoons Garlic powder
• 1.5 teaspoons Onion powder
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional for spice)
• 0.5 cup Apple cider vinegar
• 1.5 cups Barbecue sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
• 1 cup Water
• 0 Buns, coleslaw, or toppings of your choice (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Trim any excess fat off the pork shoulder, but leave a light layer for flavor and moisture while cooking.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).

Step 3

Rub the spice mixture generously over the entire pork shoulder, massaging it into all the creases for maximum flavor.

Step 4

Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Add the apple cider vinegar and water to the bottom of the slow cooker to keep the pork moist during cooking.

Step 5

Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or on HIGH for 5-6 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and easily pulls apart.

Step 6

Once cooked, transfer the pork to a large cutting board or bowl. Use two forks to shred the meat into small, bite-sized pieces, discarding any large sections of fat.

Step 7

Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. Stir in the barbecue sauce and mix thoroughly to ensure every piece of pork is coated.

Step 8

Let the pork sit in the sauce on LOW for an additional 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Step 9

Serve the pulled pork on buns for classic sandwiches, or get creative by adding it to tacos, rice bowls, or loaded baked potatoes. Top with coleslaw or any garnish of your choice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2658.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5577.6

Total Fat 369.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 137.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 1270.1mg	0%
Sodium 9163.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 245.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.5g	0%
Total Sugars 177.1g
Protein 320.8g	0%

Vitamin D 127.0IU	0%
Calcium 429.3mg	0%
Iron 22.7mg	0%
Potassium 6005.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 59.5%

Protein: 23.0%

Carbs: 17.6%