Pulled Pork Recipe {oven, slow cooker, or instant pot} - Belly Full (2024)

This easy Pulled Pork recipe can be cooked in the oven, slow cooker, or instant pot. It’s made with Boston butt pork shoulder, a flavorful spice blend, apple cider vinegar to tenderize the meat, and brown sugar for a touch of sweetness and balance. You end up with the most tender, juicy, tasty pork that everyone will love.

Our favorite way to enjoy it is piled high on buns, topped with our Homemade BBQ sauce and this awesome Coleslaw. So good!

We’ve tried our fair share of pulled pork recipes over the years, but we always come back to this one. It has just enough vinegar to give it that tanginess, just the right amount of brown sugar for the sweet, and the perfect spice blend for all-around amazing flavor. Great for a weeknight dinner at home or perfect for feeding a crowd that never disappoints.

Best Cut of Meat for Pulled Pork

A 3-5 pound boneless Pork shoulder (or sometimes called Boston Butt, which is the same thing) is best for this recipe. After a low and slow cooking method, it turns fork-tender and can easily be pulled apart (thus the name.) Pork shoulder has a lot of connective tissue and is higher in fat, which allows the meat to remain tender and moist after slow cooking for a long period of time (without the end result being fatty.) Plus, more flavor!

Will a bone-in pork shoulder work with this recipe? Yes, though it might take a little longer to cook. I would check the internal temperature toward the end of cooking to see if it’s done.

Can you make pulled pork with pork loin? While some do make this with pork tenderloin or pork chops, we really don’t recommend it. Those cuts of pork resist shredding properly and can produce a dry, solid chunk of meat. Pork shoulder is available at most markets, so it’s not hard to find.

Pulled Pork Seasoning

Without great seasoning, your pork is going to be bland. Our seasoing is a combination of pantry staples, with the perfect amounts of each one to create the best flavor. We use a blend of brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, ground mustard, salt, pepper, and cayenne. For optimal results, don’t eliminate any of them and make sure to rub it all over the pork in all the cracks and crevices. (Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

Tips for Success

• Chill: If you can swing the time, we do recommend wrapping and chilling the roast for at least 2 hours (or overnight) after rubbing it with the spice blend. This allows the spices to permeate into the meat for the best flavor. This step is optional though, and the pork will still be delicious either way.
• Sear: We usually skip this step, but it really does make a difference in flavor. So do as we say, not as we do. Lol. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a Dutch oven pot over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned raw meat (chilled or not) and sear for several seconds on all sides, then proceed with your desired cooking method.
• Cook low and slow: Cooking the pork for a long period of time over low heat is a MUST. Do not try and rush it or the meat will be tough – we promise it will be worth the wait. In the slow cooker it will take anywhere from 8-12 hours total, and in the oven it will take around 6-7 hours at 300 degrees.

How to Make Pulled Pork

Aside from the flavor and versatility, the great thing about this pulled pork recipe is you can prepare it in the oven, slow cooker, or instant pot! WOOT. Here’s a summary:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and ingredient measurements.)

In the Oven: Trim any excess fat (but not all) from the pork shoulder, then cut into 4 equal pieces. Rub the seasoning blend all over the pork. Pour the chicken broth and vinegar into the bottom of a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot; stir to combine. Add seasoned pork pieces to the pot. Cover pot with lid, place in a 300 degree F preheated oven, and cook for 3 hours. Remove lid and cook for an additional 1-2 hours, or until pork is very tender and easily separates when pulled with a fork. Remove from oven and shred meat. Serve as desired.

Slow Cooker: Trim any excess fat (but not all) from the pork shoulder, then cut into 4 equal pieces. Rub the seasoning blend all over the pork. Pour the chicken broth and vinegar into the base of your slow cooker. Add in the seasoned pork pieces. Cover with lid. Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or until pork is very tender and easily separates when pulled with a fork. Remove from slow cooker and shred meat. Serve as desired.

Instant Pot: Trim any excess fat (but not all) from the pork shoulder, then cut into 4 equal pieces. Rub the seasoning blend all over the pork. Pour chicken stock and vinegar to the base of the Instant pot. Add in the pork pieces. Cover the pot with lid and lock it in place, making sure the vent is in the sealed position. Cook on Manual/High pressure for 65 minutes. When timer beeps, allow the pot to naturally release pressure, about 15 minutes longer. Remove lid and shred the meat. Serve as desired.

Storing Leftovers and Freezing

Allow cooked pulled pork to cool completely before storing.

• How long is pulled pork good for? Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will keep up to 3 days.
• Can you freeze pulled pork? Yep. Store in a freezer safe bag or container. It can stay frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• How to reheat pulled pork: Add leftover pork and juices to an oven safe container or microwave safe bowl (add in a bit of water or chicken broth to keep the meat moist if it’s very dry.) For the oven, cover with aluminum foil and cook at 250 degrees F for about 25 minutes or until warmed through. For the microwave, place a damp paper towel over the meat and heat in one minute increments until warmed through.

What to Serve with Pulled Pork

Our favorite way to enjoy pulled pork is as sandwiches, piled high on buns with our homemade BBQ Sauce and favorite Coleslaw. But there are plenty of other ways to serve it. It goes great with a side of cilantro lime rice, potato salad, macaroni salad, a simple side salad, fruit salad, baked beans, or pickle de gallo and tortilla chips!

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!