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    🏠Home » Recipes » Pork Butt Recipes

    Crock Pot Pulled Pork the Right Way

    Feb 3, 2022 · Modified: Jan 30, 2023 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan · 122 Comments

    Recipe Table of Contents    
    4.42 from 257 votes

    Great melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork butt is now an easy and economical BBQ dinner recipe. Cooked all day low and slow in your crock pot, pork butt becomes pull-apart tender for the best barbecue pulled pork sandwiches.

    close up picture of a BBQ Sandwich with sauce on a blue plate

    Jump To:
    • 👨‍🍳How to make this recipe
    • 🐖What is pork butt
    • 🍽️Serving Pulled Pork
    • FAQs
    • ♨️Storing and Reheating
    • 📖BBQ Recipes
    • 🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
    • Recipe
    • Crock Pot Pulled Pork the Right Way

    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    👨‍🍳What is "The Right Way," and why this recipe works?

    The four easy secrets to the best-pulled pork in a crock pot the "right way."

    1. Use pork butt or pork shoulder only. No other meats qualify for this recipe. Recipes for other meats are listed below and in the Pulled Pork Recipe Roundup.
    2. It is cooked dry with an appropriate rub. Not braised in cola, broth, or other liquids.  Just a dry rub—suggested rub included in the recipe.
    3. It is not cooked in the drained liquid/fat. It drains away in the smoker, so it will with this recipe also. (Elevated with balls of foils.)
    4. Cooked to an internal temperature where it can shred correctly and the connective tissue melts. If you need a knife, it is wrong. (Long cooking time and check the temperature at the end.)

    👨‍🍳How to make this recipe

    1. Choose a large crock pot. The oval shape is better since pork butts are generally oblong.
    2. Use a 3-4 pound pork butt, with or without bone. Bone-in may take a bit longer to cook. You will get 3-4 servings per pound. Large butts will take longer to cook, but if it fits without touching the sides, it will work. Smaller pork butts are will cook a bit faster.
    3. Wet the pork with some liquid smoke (optional) and then apply a pork rub of your choice—a suggested rub is in the recipe card if you don't have one.
    4. Place 6 crumpled-up balls of aluminum foil in the bottom of the crock pot to elevate the pork out of the drainage that will occur.
    5. Place the pork butt on the foil balls—the fat pad up or down does not matter.
    6. Cook on low for 8 to 9 hours until you reach 195°+ (200°-205° preferred.)
    7. Wrap tightly in heavy foil for 15 minutes or more before shredding.

    🐖What is pork butt

    Pork butt, also called Boston butt, is the best cut of pork to make great pulled pork in your slow cooker. This low-and-slow method is not for leaner cuts of pork.

    Like many cuts of meat, there are multiple names for the same or similar things. Pork butt and Boston butt are the same.

    Pork butt and pork shoulder are not the same things. To add to the confusion, the name "pork shoulder" refers to a primal cut with two major subprimal parts, the pork butt and the picnic shoulder—which is also sometimes called the pork shoulder. The picnic also has other names.

    The pork butt is above the picnic shoulder in the pork shoulder primal cut. While the whole primal cut is well-marbled and tougher meat, the butt area has more connective tissue to melt and is the cut of choice for pulled pork and carnitas.

    image of a hog with Location of Pork Butt highlighted - Image licensed May 17, 2017, from Fotolia. Copyright by foxysgraphic - Fotolia. Image modified in accordance with the license.
    Image licensed from Fotolia. Copyright by foxysgraphic - Fotolia. Image modified in accordance with the license.

    🍽️Serving Pulled Pork

    The most common serving method is pulled pork sandwiches with buns or slices of bread. But a pile of pork with some sauce on my plate works fine. Other options are casseroles, pork tacos, or pork enchiladas. But serve your pulled pork any way you want.

    Side dishes: The usual coleslaw, potato chips, and potato salad are the standards. Hot sides like potato casseroles, French fries, mac & cheese, or baked beans work well as a side dish.

    What BBQ sauce is best for pulled pork?

    Barbecue sauce is a lot about personal taste. I like sweeter BBQ sauce like Kansas City or Memphis sauce. There are also Carolina vinegar-based sauces and the many types of Texas sauces.

    I suggest my homemade Memphis Barbecue Sauce. This sauce always disappears, and others are left untouched at parties. But use any sauce you love.

    I commonly use Gate's of Kansas City sauce and Cooks Illustrated like Bull's-eye Original or Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce.

    One quick reminder, do not reheat in BBQ sauce. The acid in it will destroy the texture of the meat. Always add any sauce at the time of serving.

    FAQs

    Do I need to rub with liquid smoke to make crock pot pulled pork?

    No, but good-quality liquid smoke enhances the results. You could also coat it with mustard if you want. Or use the dry rub alone.

    If you use liquid smoke, please only use one with water and smoke listed as ingredients and nothing else. Cheap liquid will ruin this. I use Wright's.

    Do I need to add water or other liquid to the crock pot?

    No, it is unnecessary and will change the texture of the "bark" you are getting with the dry rub.

    Does the pork butt need a rest period before shredding?

    There needs to be some time for the fluid and melted connective tissue to reabsorb back into the meat cells.

    Wrap with foil then a couple of towels, then let the fluid absorb for at least 15 minutes, but one hour is better.

    To help in timing, you can delay shedding time by 2-3 hours by wrapping the foil-sealed butt in multiple towels and a small cooler if you have one.

    Can you delay the shredding of cooked pulled pork to the next day?

    Not a good idea—it will not shred well. Better to shred correctly while hot.

    I can not get the pork up to the suggested temperature. What to do now?

    Some crock pots just won't do it. Do not try to shred pork butt that did not reach at least 185°, the connective tissue is not melted, and it just will not be good. I wouldn't stop under 195°.

    You can move the pork butt to a 250°-300° oven on a tray and finish cooking uncovered in the oven.

    ♨️Storing and Reheating

    How to store pulled pork.

    Pulled pork is good refrigerated for 3-4 days, but I prefer two days since the texture suffers.

    Sealed airtight in the freezer, leftovers will freeze well for 3-4 months. Many will freeze the pork in reheatable sealed bags; then, they will reheat those in boiling water.

    How to reheat pulled pork.

    I suggest reheating on a sheet pan in an oven. Sprinkle with a bit of water, apple juice, or chicken broth (don’t overdo it). Cover tightly with foil and into the oven at 250° to 300° until hot. The time varies by how you shredded it and the amount on the tray—usually about 45 minutes in the oven for me.

    You can then turn the oven down (keep it covered) or transfer it to a crock pot on low to keep warm. I know that is not very exact, but you get the idea.

    Never reheat pulled pork in or with sauce applied—the acid in the sauce will destroy the texture.

    📖BBQ Recipes

    Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill – Not That Hard

    Oven Pulled Pork from Pork Butt

    Crock Pot BBQ Chicken

    Easiest Crock Pot Shredded Pork Tenderloin

    Crock Pot Pulled Pork Loin

    Crock Pot Baby Back Ribs

    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

    101's Best Recipes, BBQ Recipes, Crock Pot Recipes, Featured | Crock Pot Recipes, Pork Butt Recipes, Pork Recipes
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

    pork butt with rub ingredients

    Start with a 3-4 pounds pork butt. And a rub of your choice. I have provided a suggested dry rub if you don't have a favorite.

    balls of foil in bottom of crock pot

    Prep a large crock pot with six balls of aluminum foil. Make about 2 inch balls of foil, then squish down to 1 inch high and arrange in the bottom of the crock pot.

    mixing rub ingredients in metal bowl

    You may use the rub of your choice or make the suggested rub. ½ cup dark brown sugar, 3 tablespoons kosher salt, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Stir together in a small bowl.

    coating pork butt with liquid smoke

    Pat dry the pork roast and then coat with about two tablespoons of good quality liquid smoke (Optional).

    applying rub to pork butt

    Generously apply the rub. You could wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight at this point or cook right away.

    pork butt on foil balls in a crock pot

    Place on the foil balls and cook on low undisturbed for 9-10 hours.

    cooked pork butt on foil

    Bake until internal temp of 190°+ about 9-10 hours, but will vary some with the thickness of the meat and the crock pot. If you can reach 195°-205°, the results will be better. Remove from crock pot onto a large sheet of heavy-duty foil.

    shredding pulled pork with forks

    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.

    pile of pulled pork after shredding

    Serve as Pulled Pork Sandwiches or any way you wish, like tacos or nachos.

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    Recipe

    Pulled pork with sauce in a bun on a blue plate

    Crock Pot Pulled Pork the Right Way

    From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
    Great melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork butt is now an easy and economical BBQ dinner recipe. Cooked all day low and slow in your crock pot, pork butt becomes pull-apart tender for the best barbecue pulled pork sandwiches.
    Tap to leave a Rating
    4.42 from 257 votes
    Print Email CollectionCollected
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 hours hours
    Total Time: 10 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings #/Adjust if desired 10

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Convert to Metric
    • 3-4 pounds Pork Butt - aka Pork Shoulder
    • 2 tablespoons liquid smoke - good quality
    • 1 cup dry rub

    My Rub if you don't have one

    • ½ cup dark brown sugar - light will do
    • 3 tablespoons kosher salt - I tend to decrease this some
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Start with a 3-4 pounds pork butt. And a rub of your choice. I have provided a suggested dry rub if you don't have a favorite
      pork butt with rub ingredients
    • Prep a large crock pot with six balls of aluminum foil. Make about 2 inch balls of foil, then squish down to 1 inch high and arrange in the bottom of the crock pot.
      balls of foil in bottom of crock pot
    • You may use the rub of your choice or make the suggested rub. ½ cup dark brown sugar, 3 tablespoons kosher salt, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Stir together in a small bowl.
      mixing rub ingredients in metal bowl
    • Pat dry the pork butt and then coat with about two tablespoons of good quality liquid smoke (Optional).
      coating pork butt with liquid smoke
    • Generously apply the rub. You could wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight at this point or cook right away.
      applying rub to pork butt
    • Place on the foil balls and cook on low undisturbed for 9-10 hours.
      pork butt on foil balls in a crock pot
    • Done is really 200°-205° but some crock pots just can't get there. Don't settle for under 185°. But please try for at least  195° plus, and you will be happier. Remove from crock pot onto a large sheet of heavy-duty foil.
      cooked pork butt on 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.
      shredding pulled pork with forks
    • Serve as Pulled Pork Sandwiches or any way you wish like tacos or nachos.
      shredding pulled pork with forks
    See the step-by-step photos in the post. Some recipes have an option to display the photos here with a switch above these instructions but the photos DO NOT print.

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    Recipe Notes

    Pro Notes:

    1. This is an all day recipe.
    2. I designed this for about a 3-4 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.
    3. Bone-in or boneless does not matter. And fat pad up or down does not matter.
    4. I suggest a good quality liquid smoke, but skip if you want.
    5. Use a rub of your choice. I provided a suggested rub. You may decrease the salt if you want.
    6. Done is really 200°-205° but some crock pots just can't get there. Don't settle for under 185°. But please try for at least  195° plus, and you will be happier.
    7. If your crock pot can not get to the correct temperature, move to a 250° oven on a tray with sides to finish.
    8. Do not shred immediately. Wrap with foil and let the fluid absorb for at least 15 minutes but one hour is better.
    9. You can delay shedding time by 2-3 hours by wrapping the foil sealed butt in multiple towels and a small cooler if you have one.
    10. Good refrigerated for 3-4 days but I prefer 2 days since the texture seems to suffer. Will freeze well for 3-4 months.
    11. 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.
    12. Never reheat with sauce applied, the acid will destroy the texture.

    To adjust the recipe size:

    You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Nutrition Facts
    Crock Pot Pulled Pork the Right Way
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 247.3 Calories from Fat 76
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 8.4g13%
    Saturated Fat 3g15%
    Trans Fat 0.1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 3.5g
    Cholesterol 81.6mg27%
    Sodium 1160mg48%
    Potassium 547.8mg16%
    Carbohydrates 16.3g5%
    Fiber 1.2g5%
    Sugar 11g12%
    Protein 26.4g53%
    Vitamin A 422.5IU8%
    Vitamin C 0.9mg1%
    Calcium 103.1mg10%
    Iron 4.4mg24%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Serving size is my estimate of a normal size unless stated otherwise. The number of servings per recipe is stated above. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
    Course : Main Course
    Cuisine : American

    © 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.

    Editor's Note: Originally Published April 9, 2016. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

    Molly and Lilly in the yard

    More Pork Butt Recipes

    • Pulled pork with sauce in a bun on a blue plate
      Pulled Pork Recipes without a Smoker
    • pulled pork on a bun with sauce
      Oven Pulled Pork - Low & Slow Pork Butt
    • carnita taco in a hand
      Easy Crock Pot Carnitas from Pork Butt
    • carmita taco in a hand
      How to Make Carnitas in the Oven

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    1. Thomas

      January 27, 2019 at 10:28 pm

      I made this BBQ today using this recipe and it was fantastic!

      Reply
      • DrDan

        January 27, 2019 at 10:33 pm

        Hi Thomas,
        Welcome to the blog.
        Glad you enjoyed the recipe.
        Thanks for the note.
        Dan

    2. Cheryl K Frank

      January 27, 2019 at 6:42 am

      Hiya! Can I add BBQ sauce? If yes, when?

      Reply
      • DrDan

        January 27, 2019 at 8:58 am

        Hi Cheryl,
        Welcome to the blog.
        BBQ sauce??? I assume you mean to replace the rub. I don't see it as a good idea. That long of a dry cooking of a tomato based product probably will not be good.

        I do always use sauce but at the end with serving.

        Dan

      • Zach

        February 27, 2019 at 5:52 pm

        I spread the pork out on a baking sheet after cooking and pulling, add some sauce and throw it in the oven for a few min.

      • DrDan

        March 04, 2019 at 4:01 pm

        Hi Zack,
        Welcome to the blog.
        That sounds like great reheat method.
        Thanks for the note.
        Dan

    3. Jan

      January 24, 2019 at 11:55 pm

      Making this as followed before bed at 11pm. Did a quick search and this recipe was the first one. I’m expecting a winning piece of pork in the morning.

      Reply
      • DrDan

        January 26, 2019 at 9:23 am

        Hi Jan,
        Welcome to the blog.
        The house must have smelled wonderful in the morning.
        Hope it worked well for you.
        Dan

    4. Sandy

      January 16, 2019 at 6:56 pm

      Due to West Tennessee weather I was searching for a way to have BB smoked taste but not have to deal with forecast to cook outdoors. I found it with this recipe. The taste and tenderness will give our outdoor BB a run for the money. Delicious,juicy,tender and easy is what I got. Going to cook again this weekend due to cold temps and possible snow. Yummy yummy. Would give 10 stars if I could. I will change chili powder to paprika like I seen in comments.

      Reply
      • DrDan

        January 16, 2019 at 7:13 pm

        Hi Sandy,
        Welcome to the blog.
        Did you ever think you would do a pork butt in a crock pot. I never did.
        Either chili powder or paprika is a personal choice.
        I do love west Tennessee and trained at St. Judes years ago. Give me some Marlow BBQ any day.
        Thanks for the not and very happy it worked well for you.
        Dan

    5. Kam Thomps

      January 09, 2019 at 8:02 am

      On January 5th, I made this recipe, sans liquid smoke, following the method precisely. Oh, my goodness. I have finally found the way to the pig I have been craving. I will never braise (read: boil) pig butt again. This was exceptional. I made a five pound roast, and if both my husband and my Golden Retriever were not so darned cute, I would have eaten it all myself. In time. Though, not too much time.

      Thank you so much.

      Reply
      • DrDan

        January 09, 2019 at 6:35 pm

        Hi Kam,
        Welcome to the blog.
        I do love pulled pork (and golden retrievers). Glad it worked well for you.
        Thanks for the note.
        Dan

    6. Ann G

      December 24, 2018 at 11:42 pm

      Hello! For the last couple of years I began making a non-traditional Christmas dinner, crockpot pulled pork for BBQ sandwiches using a eastern North Carolina sauce which is vinegar-based. I just throw my Boston butt in there for 8-10 hours, shred and then pour on the yummy sauce! (We love slaw on our bbq sandwiches!). I want to try the aluminum foil balls on the bottom to keep the meat out of the muck. I always thought the liquid would help keep it tender though. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

      Reply
    7. Hana Jenkins

      December 13, 2018 at 8:03 am

      Went looking for slow cooker pork butt recipes this morning and when I scrolled down your page, I immediately thought, "Oh! I've done this before and I really liked it!" So I've just put it together for this evening. I only made one change: I used smoked paprika because I didn't have liquid smoke. I used almost a tablespoon (I didn't really measure...heh...) and then cut back on the pepper a little, but not too much. Thank you for the ingenious idea of foil balls under the meat!

      Reply
    8. Quinton

      December 04, 2018 at 1:10 pm

      I put mine in the crock pot at 8am this morning, came home at 12 to check on it and my temperature was 200-208 throughout. Mine was 2.5 pounds-cooked on low the entire time. Have it wrapped in aluminum foil now. I’m assuming my crock pots rate of cooking is faster than others that need 10 hours? Once I take it out of the aluminum foil, what’s the best way to heat it back up for dinner around 6 pm?

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • DrDan

        December 04, 2018 at 3:19 pm

        Hi Quinton,
        Welcome to the blog.

        That seems very fast, even for 2.5 pounds.

        So what to do now? After wrapped for a little while, it needs to be shredded before it gets cold or it will firm up and be hard to shred.

        The reheating of pulled pork is a long debated topic. Many "experts" like a plastic reheating bag with a bit of apple juice in boiling water. Others use a sealed oven pan with some apple juice or a bit of water. I like the oven method best for larger amounts. I admit to a covered microwave dish with a bit of water. Be sure not to overdo the microwave.

        Lastly, I would be careful with other recipes in that crockpot.

        Dan

    9. Steve

      December 01, 2018 at 1:48 pm

      Hi,
      I’m trying this for the first time. In all of the text of the recipe is says “chili powder” yet in the photo of the ingred You Show PAPRIKA. Does it matter?

      Reply
      • DrDan

        December 01, 2018 at 2:26 pm

        Hi Steve,

        Welcome to the blog.

        It should be chili powder and I now have replaced the picture. I appear to have grabbed the wrong bottle for the photo. Paprika is made from different chili peppers and will taste a bit different but sometimes not a lot.

        This recipe has been seen more than 1 million times and you are the first to notice it. So you are "one in a million"

        Thanks for the proofread.

        Dan

    10. David Buckley

      November 21, 2018 at 4:02 pm

      Can a plastic liner be used for this recipe.?
      Thanks

      Reply
      • DrDan

        November 21, 2018 at 4:22 pm

        Hi David,

        Welcome to the blog.

        If by plastic liner you mean those very thin disposable liners that are made for crock pots. Definitely yes but still use the foil balls to elevate the meat to keep it out of the muck.

        Dan

      • David

        November 22, 2018 at 5:45 pm

        Hello.. thanks for the reply ..
        decided to go your route .. got it wrapped in fridge .. got crockpot loaded with the foil ..
        I even shopped around for the Wright liquid smoke .. ;-)
        Thanks for the recipe advice..
        Cheers !!

    11. Gwen K

      November 18, 2018 at 9:56 am

      Wow impressive!!! I had a bone in 5 lb pork, was so confused on how is best to cook, sear first, roast last, 4 hours vs 8-10 hours, ect... but this was easier, and creative but made sense... so i decided to go with this one, so happy I did!!! I Marinated in Claude’s sauce for an hour prior, since I had run out of liquid smoke, then followed this recipe exact, got my 8 hours of sleep, this freed me up to do more cooking last night and this morning for a gathering... at 10 hours exactly it was at 205 degrees, juicy, tender and falling apart, and smells delicious!! Thank you for saving me!!!

      Reply
      • DrDan

        November 18, 2018 at 10:26 am

        Hi Gwen,

        Welcome to the blog. Glad it worked well for you.

        I do love logical recipes. That crockpot is just a little oven so let it tend the food and free you up for other things (I love naps).

        Thanks for the note.

        Dan

    12. Shane

      November 17, 2018 at 9:13 am

      Can i use light brown sugar instead?

      Reply
      • DrDan

        November 17, 2018 at 9:33 am

        Hi Shane,

        Welcome to the blog.

        Yep that is fine. Brown sugar is just sugar with molasses. A little more in the dark and not much taste difference.

        The rub is just a suggested rub. I use a similar rub for many things. I've used both light and dark so use what you have.

        Dan

    13. Kelly taylor

      November 02, 2018 at 6:53 pm

      Hi Dan I did your recipe from the beginning to the end and mine's been cooking for 9 & a half hours now and it is about 6 lb but there's a lot of liquid in the bottom and it started to move around the tin foil balls should I take out the liquid? I know I need to cook it longer but I was wondering about so much liquid adding up? Thanks
      Kelly t

      Reply
      • DrDan

        November 02, 2018 at 6:57 pm

        Hi Kelly,

        I have never had more than 1/2 inch so yep if it is moving around, then remove some fluid as quickly as possible. You will lose a lot of heat so pop it up to high.

        Dan

    14. Steve Mulvenon

      November 02, 2018 at 11:50 am

      I made this yesterday and it was absolutely delicious. "Outstanding," was my wife's verdict. The only variations from the recipe were a 4.7 lb roast and not using liquid smoke. The rub I used already had smoke flavoring, so I was afraid of overkill on smoke flavor. It was done to perfection in 10 hours.

      Reply
      • DrDan

        November 02, 2018 at 8:35 pm

        Hi Steve,
        Welcome to the blog.

        Sometimes I think of this as an "odd" recipe since there is not much to it but the results are just so good.

        If your rib is "smoky", then the liquid some is a bit redundant. My rib is straight up so I always add it but many seem to object or don't have it so skipping it is always an option. Or if they are not sure of the quality of their brand, I would definitely skip it.

        Thanks for the note.
        Dan

    15. Kari

      October 28, 2018 at 7:53 pm

      My family loved this! I loved how easy it was in a crock pot. Delicious! What is your best method for reheating? We have lots of leftovers.

      Reply
      • DrDan

        October 29, 2018 at 12:37 pm

        Hi Kari,

        Welcome to the blog.

        It is amazingly simple to get so much good.

        The most common recommended reheating method is a plastic bag with a touch of apple juice in boiling water. Also, you can freeze it that way for easy reuse.

        Now I never have apple juice. So I just put a dash of water in with the pork I'm reheating and then microwave just to a good reheat. Not hot-hot. Works fine for me but the pulled pork gods will strick me down someday.

        Thanks for the note.

        Dan

    16. Lisa

      October 21, 2018 at 9:02 pm

      Hi there, Howdy!!

      I have come across your recipe and am very anxious to try this. I ended up buying a 15 pounder at Costco, but will be cutting it in 1/2, so lets say it will be 7.5 pounds that I am going to cook and I'll freeze the other half. (This was the smallest that they had)!! On your recipe calculations, I entered in the weight, and it said 19/20 cups of brown sugar.

      Does this literally mean 19-20 cups of sugar?? This seems like quite a lot. Please clarify!!

      Please help!! Today is Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018 and I would like to get this cooking by Wednesday!!

      Thanks for your help!!
      Lisa

      Ingredients
      7 3/5 lbs Pork Butt aka Pork Shoulder
      3 4/5 tablespoons liquid smoke good quality
      My Rub
      19/20 cups dark brown sugar
      5 7/10 tablespoons kosher salt
      1 9/10 tablespoons chili powder
      1 9/10 teaspoons garlic powder
      1 9/10 teaspoons onion powder
      1 9/10 teaspoons pepper
      Servings:
      19

      Reply
      • DrDan

        October 21, 2018 at 9:20 pm

        Hi Lisa,

        Welcome to the blog.

        That is 19/20 of a cup not 19 to 20 cups. So just under a cup. Keep it simple, just do a double batch. The amounts of various things in a rub can be varied some. So just rub on some liquid smoke to get it wet so the rub can stick than a generous amount of rub. Into the crock pot on low but elevated a bit on foil balls. Several people in the comments did 8 pounders and it took 10-12 hour. On the grill and in the oven, I like to take the internal temperature to 200-205 but in a crock pot, you just won't make that. Try for 195 but nothing under 190.

        Dan

    17. Jason

      October 06, 2018 at 10:48 am

      I have a 6 pounder in the crock pot right now.. and then I saw your recipe.. I just salt and peppered mine and cut up a sweet onion and threw in..on low.. I'm thinking 12hrs.. next time I will be trying your recipe the rub sounds amazing and using alum. foil balls to elevate it out of the fat is ingenious.

      Reply
      • DrDan

        October 06, 2018 at 9:25 pm

        Hi Jason,

        Welcome to the blog.

        I think your 12 hours is about right for pulled pork.

        The foil balls are not my original idea but I can't remember where I saw it first but it works great.

        Thanks for the note.

        Dan

    18. Tracy jones

      September 15, 2018 at 1:14 pm

      I tried this recipe and foil for the first time and it turned out amazing. I will continue to use the method. Thank for sharing..

      Reply
      • DrDan

        September 15, 2018 at 1:27 pm

        Hi Tracy,
        Welcome to the blog.
        It is surprising it came from a crockpot.
        Thanks for the note.
        Dan

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