You just need 15 minutes to prep Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork in the morning, then let it cook all day! It's juicy and tender with sweet heat and a vinegar kick from the North Carolina barbecue sauce.
This Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork seems miraculous.
You'll spend just 15 minutes getting it ready, and there's no need to sear the meat. You'll let it cook for eight hours in the Crock-Pot. Then you'll be greeted with one of the most delicious meals ever!
Think tender, juicy pulled pork with a vinegar kick, a little sweetness and spicy heat that you can adjust to your liking. Yum!
This is the best pulled pork recipe, and I've been making this at least once a month for years! My family loves it! Once you try it, I know you'll add it to your dinner rotation too.
And don't miss this Super Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs recipe!
What is Carolina BBQ?
Instead of a tomato base, this Carolina barbeque recipe includes a spicy-hot vinegar sauce. It's actually an Eastern North Carolina BBQ sauce, which doesn't contain any ketchup.
With a sweet-and-savory dry rub for the pork, this will be one of the most flavorful meals of your life!
Recipe ingredients
Pork: The best cut of meat for pulled pork is a fatty one, since it will cook all day. Use a bone-in pork shoulder roast or a Boston butt (half the shoulder). The meat will become tender after at least eight hours of cooking on low.
Don't try this with pork tenderloin, or it will be too dry, since the meat is very lean. I also don't recommend a pork loin roast here.
Onions: I prefer yellow onions here for their strong flavor, which works really well in a dish that cooks all day. But feel free to use white onions, which are milder, or red onions, which are sweeter.
Leave the onions quartered for more subtle flavor (and ease), or chop them up for deeper, richer flavor. I recently tried that and absolutely loved the result!
Brown Sugar: This adds a wonderful, sweet flavor to the pulled pork dry rub. Feel free to substitute golden monk fruit for a keto-friendly option. (You'd also need to substitute monk fruit for the granulated sugar in the vinegar BBQ sauce.)
Liquid Smoke: You don't need to smoke pulled pork to get a smoky flavor! A tablespoon of Liquid Smoke (affiliate link), works wonders here.
Worcestershire Sauce: This adds wonderful, umami flavor to the Crock-Pot pulled pork. Use the Lea & Perrins brand (affiliate link) for the best taste. It also happens to be gluten-free, unlike some other brands.
Red Pepper Flakes: These add a kick of heat to Carolina barbecue's signature vinegar sauce. Keep in mind, you'll just be adding half of the sauce to the slow cooker, then reserving the rest for optional use as needed when serving the shredded pork. This allows you to adjust the spicy heat according to each person's tastes.
Making slow cooker Carolina pulled pork
- Add the onions to the bottom of the Crock-Pot (affiliate link).
- Rub the dry seasoning mixture all over the pork.
- Place the pork on top of the onions. Pour a bit of Liquid Smoke on top, then add half of the Carolina vinegar BBQ sauce.
- Cook on low for 8 hours, then shred.
Add some reserved sauce as needed!
Recipe tips
- It's best to cook this pulled pork in the Crock-Pot on low for 8-10 hours for tender, juicy results. If you want this to be ready sooner, you can cook it on high, but it will take at least six hours. Otherwise, the meat will be tough.
- You can let this cook overnight, then refrigerate the pulled pork until dinner time.
- You can reduce the fat in this meal by refrigerating the cooked pulled pork in its juices, then scooping out the solidified fat before you reheat the leftovers.
What to serve with it
I usually serve this easy slow cooker pulled pork over rice the first day, then we eat the leftovers in sandwiches or a wrap the second day. Try it on these Quick Hamburger Buns or in a grilled cheese sandwich — you'll swoon!
Of course, many people enjoy a Carolina pulled pork sandwich with vinegar coleslaw. I've also been meaning to try it with this creamy KFC coleslaw.
This pulled pork also is delicious over salad, and for a total comfort-food experience, try it atop Italian Mac and Cheese!
Great side dishes with pulled pork include Italian Bean Salad, The Best Corn on the Cob and Italian Potato Salad with Green Beans. Add all of these to your 4th of July menu!
Frequently asked questions
We've had excellent results reheating this Carolina pulled pork in the microwave! The key is to scoop up some of the congealed juices you'll find when you pull out the container of leftovers from the refrigerator. Add some on top of each portion of shredded pork before reheating.
Yes, you can freeze this pulled pork with good results. Make sure to stir in some of the juices and/or vinegar sauce to the meat before sealing it in a zip-top freezer bag.
More recipes like this
- Roasted Pork Loin with Rosemary and Garlic
- Baked Pork Tenderloin with Glaze
- Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Cream Cheese & Jalapeños
- Shredded Buffalo Chicken Nacho Salad
- Slow Cooker Cauliflower-Cheese Soup
Enjoy!
If you try this Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork, be sure to leave a comment and a rating!
Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork
Ingredients
Dry Rub
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or use golden monk fruit sweetener for a keto option)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Pork
- 2 onions (yellow, white or red)
- 4-6 pounds bone-in pork shoulder roast (or Boston Butt) (If there's a thick layer of fat, trim it off.)
- 1 tablespoon Liquid Smoke
Carolina BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce (preferably Lea & Perrins for best taste, and it's gluten free)
- 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar (or use monk fruit sweetener for a keto option)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- For the rub, in a tiny bowl stir together the brown sugar, paprika, salt and pepper. Set it aside.
- Peel the onions and quarter them (cut each in half, then cut those pieces in half). You can leave them in quarters for subtle flavor or chop them for bolder onion flavor. Place the onions on the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Place the pork on top of the onions. Rub the brown sugar mixture all over the pork, making sure to cover all sides. Wash your hands well afterward.
- Pour Liquid Smoke on top of the roast. Prepare the vinegar dressing in a liquid measuring cup. Add the vinegar, the Worcestershire sauce, then the remaining ingredients, and whisk to blend. Pour half of this mixture over the meat and cover and refrigerate the rest for later.
- Cook the meat on low for 8-10 hours. Transfer the pork, onions and juices to a platter, add some of the reserved vinegar mixture, and shred the pork with two forks. (The vinegar dressing is spicy, so add it according to your taste.) You can have the remaining dressing at the table for each person to add more if they wish.
- Serve the pork in sandwiches, burritos, enchiladas or over rice. Refrigerate leftovers for up to four days. To reheat, scoop some of the congealed juices over the meat, cover with wax paper, and heat in the microwave. The pulled pork also can be frozen with the juices.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
(Recipe Source: Adapted from The Domestic Front. Originally published on January 31, 2015 and updated over the years with additional photos and information.)
Lisa
I have made this at least 6 times. I add all the sauce to the crock pot. After meat is done, I put the sauce in a stock skimmer, pour in a sauce pan and simmer for 30 minutes while I pull the pork. It makes the sauce smoother tasting. My husband is not a fan of hot, spicy pulled pork, so I use a dash of two of cayenne pepper or hot sauce in place bothered pepper flakes.
Mamma C
Hi Lisa - Thanks for sharing your adjustments. I'm glad you guys enjoy this!
Kate Downing
Can you freeze the cooked leftovers do you think?
Mamma C
Hi Kate - That should be fine.
Margie
Looks delicious!
Hi two questions:
Can I make this overnight for a 1:00 lunch party? Will it dry out if left in slow cooker so long?
Also, my family is split some like sweet bbq sauce and some would prefer no sauce. I am thinking this dish would be good for the no saucers and I can create sweet BBQ on side? What do you think?
Mamma C
Hi Margie - I wouldn't leave the slower cooker on with this past 10 hours - 8 hours of slow cooking and two hours on warm. The pork should be refrigerated when it cools off and then reheated before serving. There is plenty of vinegar dressing that can be added as needed. You could serve regular BBQ sauce on the side, but the pork is very tasty as is...it's not just plain pulled pork.
Carissa Culkin
My go to pork recipe! This is our absolute favorite!!
Mamma C
Hi Carissa - That's great to hear! Thanks for your comment.
Keti
I’m from Australia and I’ve found Liquid Smoke is
Difficult to find. Any suggestions on what to do in this case? Alternative option? Thank you
Mamma C
Hi Keti - Smoked paprika would be a good option, if you can find it. Otherwise, you could try to order Liquid Smoke online.
Keti
Thank you. I did end up using this and it tasted great 👍🏼
Mamma C
I'm so glad, Keti!
Ann
I just saw this recipe. Definitely going to try It. BTW, I sometimes slip and call that yucky bread American bread.
Mamma C
Hi Ann - Haha! Me too! I hope you enjoy the pulled pork.
Karly
This looks amazing!
Mamma C
Hi Karly - Thank you! It's one of our favorite meals.
Russell
This recipe looks good except true Carolina pulled pork is served on a bun with a spicy/vinegary coleslaw on the pork. Being part of a very large family from the Smoky Mountains of western NC I tend to be a tad bit traditional. I am going to have to try this recipe as it is definitely going to a lot quicker than smoking one, and serving mixed with rice sounds good. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Mamma C
Hi Russell - That sounds like a delicious tradition! We usually serve this on buns the second day, but I haven't tried it with coleslaw. I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Mary E Poston
This is South Carolina pulled pork and the recipe is fantastic.
Mamma C
Hi Mary - I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Mimi
Looks beautiful! Love your seasonings.
Mamma C
Thanks, Mimi! There's so much flavor here.
Johnathan
I just finished having some of this pork for lunch and it is delicious! Definitely a five star recipe, thank you for sharing, Mamma C.
Mamma C
I'm happy to hear you enjoyed this, Johnathan! It's been a family favorite for years.