Great melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork is now an easy economical dinner recipe. Cooked all day low and slow in your crock pot, pork butt becomes pull-apart tender for the family or a crowd.
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📰Introduction
I love pulled pork, but most of us do. I can fake it with other cuts of pork, but pork butt (AKA pork shoulder) is the "right" cut.
Cooking it low and slow is also the right way. And lastly, it should be cooked dry, not braised in liquids which is also wrong. Let's do it the right way.
There are many slow cooker recipes with condensed soup, packets of onion soup mix, broth, and many other things that should never touch a pork butt. Plus the suggestion that are "done" in 4-6 hours on low... not possible.
I'm starting with my usual great homemade rub (but feel free to use your favorite). Wet with liquid smoke, apply the rub, and cook low and slow in a crock pot. Now the secret ingredient., aluminum foil, but don't wrap it, elevate it to keep it out of the fat.
What is "The Right Way"
The four easy secrets to the best pulled pork in a crock pot the "right way".
- Use pork butt or pork shoulder only. No other meats qualify for this recipe. Recipes for other meats listed below and in the Pulled Pork Recipe Roundup.
- It is cooked dry with an appropriate rub. Not braised in cola, broth, or other liquids. That is just wrong. (Suggested rub included.)
- It is not cooked in the drained liquid/fat. It drains away in the smoker, so it will here also. (Elevated with balls of foils.)
- Cooked to an internal temperature where it can shred correctly and the connective tissue melts. (Long cooking time and check the temperature at the end.)
My Rating:
A very nice 5. Almost equal to my oven and grill versions.
🐖The Meat
What is Pork Butt?
Like many cuts of meat, there are multiple names about the same thing. Pork butt and Boston butt are the same.
Pork shoulder is the thinner area of this cut but is commonly cooked and used the same as the butt. It has a bit less marbling and less fat and is usually not separated from the butt.
If you are wondering, butt means thick, so that is why the term "butt" is used. Lastly, the picnic ham and picnic shoulder are not the same as this cut.
A bit more about the meat:
- I designed this for about a 4-pound pork butt. You can do bigger. Generally, if it fits in the crock pot without touching the sides, it will work. BUT the time will be longer but not in direct proportion to weight. So an 8 pounder is not double a 4 pounder. It is more in proportion to thickness.
- Bone-in or boneless does not matter. But with bone takes a bit longer.
- Fat pad up or down does not matter. But I tend to do fat pad down or side.
📋 The Rub
I provided a suggested rub, but any rub you want will be fine. The suggest rub has an average amount of salt for a rub. Some find that too much. We are now decreasing our own salt intake so I usually decrease it by 50% and can't tell the difference.
Frequently, I put the rub on and cooked right away. That works quite well but if you plan ahead, then apply the rub the night before and wrap in plastic wrap.
⏰How long to cook?
I want a recipe that can be put on in the morning before you leave for work and be ready in 9-10 hours when you get home with most crock pots but there may be some variation.
I like to take my pork butt to 195+ range. And prefer 200-205, but some crock pots just won't get there in most crockpots. So settle for 185 only if you must, but 195 or even 200 is really good.
♨️How to Reheat?
I like to reheat on a sheet pan, I sprinkle with a little water on my hand (don’t overdo it). Cover tightly with foil and into the oven at 250-300 until hot. The time varies by how you shredded it and the amount on the tray. You can then turn the oven down (keep it covered) or transfer to a crock pot on low to keep warm. (usually 45 minutes or so in the oven for me). I know that is not very exact but you get the idea.
Never reheat with sauce applied, the acid will destroy the texture.
🖊️Other Notes
Liquid Smoke:
I like the liquid smoke, but some people object out of principle. Well, you're lucky it doesn't have onion soup mix. But leaving out will be fine and only a minor change in the final results.
If you do use the liquid smoke, please only use one with water and smoke listed as ingredients and nothing else. Cheap liquid some will ruin this. I use Wright's.
Storage
Good refrigerated for 3-4 days but I prefer 2 days since the texture seems to suffer. It will freeze well for 3-4 months.
Sauce suggestions
I suggest my homemade Memphis Barbecue Sauce; A Wonderful Thing. This sauce always disappears and others are left untouched at parties. But use any sauce you love.
One quick reminder, do not reheat with BBQ sauce. The acid in it will destroy the texture of the meat.
📖BBQ Recipes
Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill – Not That Hard
Oven Pulled Pork from Pork Butt
Easiest Crock Pot Shredded Pork Tenderloin
🖼️Photo Instructions
Start with a pork butt AKA pork shoulder 3-4 pounds. And a rub of your choice.
Prep a large crock pot with six balls of aluminum foil. Make about 2 inch balls but then squish down to 1 inch high and arrange in the bottom.
You may use the rub of your choice, or mine is ½ cup dark brown sugar, three tablespoons kosher salt, one tablespoon chili powder, one teaspoon garlic powder, one teaspoon onion powder and one teaspoon pepper.
Pat dry the pork and the coat with about two tablespoons good quality liquid smoke.
Generously apply the rub. You could wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight at this point or cook right away.
Place on the foil balls and cook on low undisturbed for 9-10 hours.
Bake until internal temp of 190 plus. About 9-10 hours, but will vary some with the thickness of the meat and the crock pot. Remove from crock pot onto a large sheet of heavy-duty foil.
Wrap tight with the foil then wrap with several towels. Allow to rest for at least 15 minutes but 2-3 hours is fine if wrapped well. Shred with forks. It will fall apart.
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📖 Recipe
Crock Pot Pulled Pork the Right Way
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Pork Butt - aka Pork Shoulder
- 2 tablespoons liquid smoke - good quality
My Rub
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Start with a pork butt AKA pork shoulder 3-4 pounds.
- Prep a large crock pot with 6 balls of aluminum foil. Make about 2 inch balls but then squish down to 1 inch high and arrange in the bottom of the crock pot.
- You may use the rub of your choice, or mine is ½ cup dark brown sugar, three tablespoons kosher salt, one tablespoon chili powder, one teaspoon garlic powder, one teaspoon onion powder and one teaspoon pepper.
- Pat dry the pork and the coat with about two tablespoons good quality liquid smoke.
- Generously apply the rub. You could wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight at this point or cook right away.
- Place on the foil balls and cook on low undisturbed for 9-10 hours.
- Bake until internal temp of 190 plus. About 9-10 hours may vary some with the thickness of the meat and the crock pot.
- Remove from crock pot onto a large sheet of heavy-duty foil. Wrap tight with the foil then wrap with several towels. Allow to rest for at least 15 minutes but 2-3 hours is fine if wrapped well.
- Shred with forks. It will fall apart.
Recipe Notes
Pro Notes:
- This is an all day recipe.
- I designed this for about a 4 pound pork butt. You can do bigger. Generally, if it fits in the crock pot without touching the sides, it will work. BUT the time will be longer.
- Bone-in or boneless does not matter. And fat pad up or down does not matter.
- I suggest a good quality liquid smoke but skip if you want.
- Use a rub of your choice. I provided a suggested rub. You may decrease the salt if you want.
- Done is really 200-205. Don't settle for under 185. But please try for 195 plus, and you will be happier.
- Do not shred immediately. Wrap with foil and let the fluid absorb for at least 15 minutes but one hour is better.
- You can delay shedding time by 2-3 hours with wrapping the foil sealed butt in multiple towels and a small cooler if you have one.
- Good refrigerated for 3-4 days but I prefer 2 days since the texture seems to suffer. Will freeze well for 3-4 months.
- I like to reheat on a sheet pan, I sprinkle with a little water on my hand (don’t overdo it). Cover tightly with foil and into the oven at 250-300 until hot. The time varies by how you shredded it and the amount on the tray. You can then turn the oven down (keep it covered) or transfer to a crock pot on low to keep warm. (usually 45 minutes or so in the oven for me). I know that is not very exact but you get the idea.
- Never reheat with sauce applied, the acid will destroy the texture.
Nutrition
Editor's Note: Originally Published April 9, 2016. Updated with expanded text and discussion along with updated photos.
Trisha
I've followed this recipe exactly.
Two times ...
1st time Boneless
2nd time with Bone
OMG how delicious 😋
1st time did the rub & left it overnight
2nd time did the rub & put it in the slow cooker immediately.
BOTH times excellent
What an easy & tasty pulled pork recipe.
Not to mention the awesome aroma in my house all day as it cooked.
Thank you xx
Patricia
I don’t understand how to make this so it isn’t cooking in liquid. I didn’t put liquid in the slow cooker, but when I checked on it at 7 hours it was swimming in it’s released juices. It was 2/3 covered with liquid. Should I have been draining out liquid every hour?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Patricia,
Welcome to the blog.
I will jump in here. Since you added nothing liquid, all if it had to come from the meat.
1) Be sure you have the meat elevated on that balls of foil. That should allow space or a few cups of fluid before getting up to the meat. Be sure not to "flatten" the foil balls. They are there to elevate.
2) The most fluid I have had is about 1 1/2 cups. If the pork butt had been previously frozen, it is possible that the cells were damaged and released more fluid (a bit). Also, if the pork butt was injected for more flavor, that would add fluid drainage.
3) A very large pork butt in a smaller crockpot may not have much space for the drainage.
Hope that helps. You shouldn't need to drain while cooking.
Dan
Laurie P
This recipe is fantastic! This was my first time cooking this type of meat and it came out sooo good!! I substituted the chili powder for paprika and I didn't have kosher salt, so used regular - but just 1 tbs! Mine was just over 6 pounds and it cooked in the crockpot on low for 11 hours and 15 minutes and was 195 - (I would have let it cook a little more, per your suggestion for a doneness temp, but worked around when to have supper on the table - and wanted to give it time to rest! I let it rest for 1/2 an hour wrapped in the foil. This came out so good, my family said it was like the winner from a contest!! Also, the foil balls were a great idea!!
Cynthia Cole
Excellent! I substituted maple syrup for the brown sugar, as others suggested. Used the juice to cook rice as a side dish. Delicious!
Maria Rodriguez
Hi Dan,
Reading the blog about the crockpot above was a revelation. My crockpot is over 15 years old. This explains why things get done faster than I expected. Of course, I woke up this morning at 5 to put my pork in and by 10:45 it was at 210°, about 3 hours sooner than anticipated!
Anyway, the foil balls was brilliant and my pork is absolutely perfect. Currently resting wrapped in foil and towels in a cooler for a bit longer than was planned!
Just signed up for your emails and look forward to making more of your recipes. And yes, will now be purchasing an Instapot to replace the crockpot, rice cooker, and pressure cooker!
Thanks!
maria
Darice T
Great method and recipe. I made enough for two meals for us. Last night as we eating dear husband asked when I was going to make it again. DELICIOUS! The best I've ever had!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Darice,
Welcome to the blog.
I do love pulled pork and this recipe so easy and makes a manageable amount.
Thanks for the note and rating.
Dan
Nic
Can I do this with a 9.8 pound piece of bone-in pork shoulder?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Nic,
Welcome to the blog.
Yes, just think of the crock pot as a small oven. If it fits it will work. But let's qualify that a bit. I would prefer the meat not touching the sides and it will take a LONG time. You are cooking to a final internal temperature, not by time here.
The oven recipe may be better for a large shoulder. https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/oven-pulled-pork-from-pork-butt/
Dan
D
All I have to say is WOW. I used a boneless pork butt, used some maple syrup, liquid smoke and spices as my rub, and just WOW. This is not only a great crock pot pulled pork, but a fantastic pulled pork over all! Thank you!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi D,
Welcome to the blog and sorry for the delayed response.
It is surprising how good this is for a crock pot recipe but all the credit goes to the meat, pork butt is just a great thing as long as you apply heat in a long and slow manner. Something that a crock pot is great at.
Thanks so much for the note.
Dan
Jessica
I have made this recipe 3 weeks in a row— my husband keeps requesting it! He’s from the south and said this is the best crock pot pulled pork he’s ever had due to its juicy tenderness and simple-yet-satisfying flavor. We use boneless pork shoulder from WinCo, and season with Trader Joe’s BBQ Coffee Rub. We have not added liquid smoke, but will be trying that soon. We sometimes top with BBQ sauce, but the pork is so great on its own that we often eat it as-is straight out of the crock pot. Thank you for the delicious and easy recipe! Highly recommend to all my friends!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Jessica,
Welcome to the blog and sorry for the delayed reply.
I do love good pulled pork butt. It is still amazing to me that a crock pot can do this so well. I just did the oven version yesterday.
Glad it is working for you and thanks so much for the note and rating.
Dan
Lauren
Made this and it turned out great! However, lesson of the day is to know your Crockpot. I cooked a 6 pounder and was fully expecting at least 9-10 hours based on your time for 3 pounds. It was done in 7 (cooked on low) so here I am at 6 am with fully done pork! My crockpot seems to run hot and most recipes only need 4-5 hours on low when they call for 7-8. Or it could be that newer crockpots are just more efficient (mine is from 2016). Next time I may alter between low and warm just to keep things slow, but today I guess I will have extremely rested pork for our family lunch!
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Lauren,
Welcome to the blog.
Yep, knowing your crock pot can be very important. I have had good luck wrapping the pork with several layers of foil and multiple towels and then into a cooler. It has stayed hot for 4-5 hours.
A 2016 crock pot should usually be good. I suspect your thermostat is broken. Most of the trouble with very hot pots were produced 10+ yrs ago.
Those old crock pots were an adventure in cooking. Most did not have any sort of internal thermostat and just got hotter the longer they were plugged in. They could reach over 300 degrees.
Current crock pots should not get over 212 degrees on either high or low. High and low has more to do with timing to get to the top temp. At least that is how they should work but many don’t. But still better than the old timers.
Enjoy your pork,
Dan