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Tender Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipe Easy and Fast Pulled Pork in Half the Time

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This tender crockpot pulled pork recipe delivers fall-apart juicy pork in about half the usual slow cooker time, using a quick sear and high crockpot setting for a flavorful, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), well-marbled
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, fresh cracked if possible
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) low-sodium chicken broth or water
  • ½ to 1 cup (120 to 240 ml) barbecue sauce

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and trim excess fat, leaving some for flavor.
  2. Combine onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mix all over the pork, pressing it in to stick well.
  3. Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive or vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  4. Sear the pork shoulder on each side for 3 to 4 minutes until a deep golden crust forms.
  5. Transfer the seared pork shoulder to the crockpot.
  6. Pour ½ cup chicken broth or water and ¼ cup apple cider vinegar around the meat, avoiding washing off the spices.
  7. Cook on high in the crockpot for 4 to 5 hours, checking tenderness around 4 hours.
  8. Remove pork from crockpot and shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks or a sharp knife, discarding large fat chunks.
  9. Return shredded pork to the crockpot and stir in ½ to 1 cup barbecue sauce.
  10. Cook on low for another 20 to 30 minutes to soak up flavors.
  11. Serve warm on buns, over rice, or with your favorite sides.

Notes

Searing the pork before slow cooking locks in juices and flavor. Start checking tenderness at 3½ hours to avoid overcooking. Apple cider vinegar tenderizes and adds brightness but use in moderation. For a smoky twist, add liquid smoke or chipotle powder. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 4 days or frozen for 3 months. Reheat gently with broth to keep moist.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, crockpot pulled pork, slow cooker pork, easy pulled pork, barbecue pork, quick pulled pork, pork shoulder recipe

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