Slow Cooker Southern Pulled Pork with a Sweet & Smoky Pour-Over Sauce
This Slow Cooker Southern Pulled Pork is the kind of recipe that makes dinner feel effortless and unforgettable. A simple homemade sauce—sweet, tangy, and kissed with smoky flavor—is poured over a raw pork shoulder, then the slow cooker works its magic. Hours later, you’re rewarded with tender, juicy pork that falls apart with the touch of a fork.
Perfect for busy weekdays, casual gatherings, or meal prep, this hearty pulled pork is as versatile as it is delicious. Pile it high on toasted buns, tuck it into tacos, spoon it over baked potatoes, or serve it alongside your favorite comfort-food sides. And somehow, the leftovers taste even better the next day.
Ingredients
4–5 lb pork shoulder (also called pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
For the Sweet & Smoky Pour-Over Sauce
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
Optional for Serving
Toasted brioche buns or potato rolls
Coleslaw
Pickles
Sliced red onions
Barbecue sauce
Instructions
Place the sliced onion and minced garlic in the bottom of your slow cooker.
Set the pork shoulder on top of the onions.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper until well combined.
Pour the sauce evenly over the pork.
Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours or on high for 5–6 hours, until the pork is incredibly tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a large cutting board or platter.
Shred the meat using two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat.
Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and toss it with the cooking juices. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to soak up all that delicious flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the pulled pork piled high on toasted buns with creamy coleslaw and pickles for the ultimate sandwich. It’s also fantastic served with:
Cornbread
Roasted vegetables
Baked potatoes
Rice bowls
Mac and cheese
Fresh green salad
Storage Tips
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat gently with a splash of the cooking juices to keep the pork moist and flavorful.
Tender, smoky, sweet, and irresistibly juicy, this slow cooker pulled pork is comfort food at its finest. One simple pour-over sauce transforms an everyday pork shoulder into a meal everyone will rave about.
