This easy and flavorful slow cooker pulled pork melts in your mouth! It’s tender and juicy and can be served in a variety of ways. Read on for all the details!
Today I’m sharing a tender and juicy pulled pork recipe, made extra delicious with a simple and flavorful dry rub. The texture of this savory meat melts in your mouth and is hard to stop eating! It’s cooked all day in the slow cooker and is ready to be served right out of the pot!
What cut of meat is pulled pork?
Pulled pork generally comes from the pork shoulder which has two parts: pork butt, also called boston butt (still shoulder, not really the butt) or picnic shoulder, also called picnic ham. For cooking at home in the slow cooker, I think the boston butt is the best cut for pulled pork because of its marbled fat, which gives it a ton of flavor. It basically shreds itself in the cooking process and just needs to be pulled apart with a couple of forks to be ready to serve. It’s easy to find in your grocery store and I love to stock up and freeze them when I catch a good sale. You can use bone-in or boneless. I tend to prefer boneless just for convenience.
how to cook pork butt
This slow cooker pulled pork recipe is super simple to make. The key is to assemble and apply the rub, then wrap it in plastic and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. This gives it the most flavor! Then in the morning, you’re ready to pop it right in the slow cooker with some dashes of worcestershire.
A common concern is that you will overcook pulled pork, but in reality you want to cook it a very long time, until it’s falling apart. My instinct is that it seems overkill to use the slow cooker for more than 8 hours, but if you have a bigger piece of meat it will take longer.
If you have a favorite dry rub you love to use on meat feel free to use that in place of my suggested dry rub in the recipe below. The one I love to use for pork when I’m not making my own is Everglades Seasoning. I have not been disappointed with this flavor on any meat I’ve tried it on! Sometimes I use half my seasoning below and half Everglades and it’s delicious.
Slow cooker pulled pork recipe
This is the best pulled pork recipe because it’s so easy and full of flavor. It’s a great starter recipe for pulled pork since the rub only requires a handful of common ingredients. You can then go on to experiment with your own flavorings or sauces.
What to serve with slow cooker pulled pork
I love to serve this easy pulled pork recipe over rice (especially using some of the meat drippings from the slow cooker to cook it in) and with coleslaw. It’s delicious all on its own but you can also serve it with barbecue sauce and/or buns. This meal is great when you’re having guests and need an easy meal that doesn’t require you to be in the kitchen all day. It also makes your home smell amazing and inviting!
sides for slow cooker pulled pork
Some other tasty sides for slow cooker pulled pork are:
- mac and cheese
- squash casserole
- cornbread
- pig pickin’ cake
can you freeze pulled pork?
I prefer to buy fresh meat, freeze it if I’m not using it right away, and then thaw and make the pulled pork. However, you can also freeze the prepared dish. It will keep for up to 6 months. Just freeze in an airtight container or a bag with all the air pushed out.
how to reheat pulled pork
To reheat your frozen slow cooker pulled pork, thaw, then place in a microwave safe dish covered with a dampened paper towel. Start with a minute or two depending on the amount you need to reheat (or heat in small batches) and then add more time as needed. You can also place the thawed pulled pork on a baking sheet with a little water mixed in, and cover with foil. This method could take some time as you need to keep the oven low, around 250 degrees. Bake until heated through.
I’d love to know what you think of this recipe or any questions you may have in the comments! Also tag me on social media @allthekingsmorsels and #allthekingsmorsels. I love hearing from you!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 3-4 lb pork butt also called boston butt
For Dry Rub
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp seasoned salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 10-12 shakes worcestershire
Instructions
- Add all ingredients for dry rub to a bowl and mix well until combined. (Or use your favorite pork rub.)
- Rinse meat and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Sprinkle dry rub on all sides of the meat and rub into the meat until well-coated. You don't have to use all of the rub, but enough to liberally coat all sides of the meat.
- Wrap meat in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight. This really helps the flavor!
- When ready to cook, place pork shoulder in the slow cooker and add several shakes of worcestershire around the bottom but not directly on the meat so it doesn't cause the rub to come off.
- Cook on low for 8-12 hours. Less for smaller pork butt and more for larger. You''ll know it's done when it's falling apart and very tender.
- Shred the meat in the slow cooker, taking care to get some of the juicy renderings mixed in.
- Serve plain or over rice, or with barbecue sauce for sandwiches.
Beth Pierce says
This sounds so full of flavor and mouthwatering! Excited to make some pulled pork sandwiches; yum!
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman says
We always make our pulled pork in the slow cooker – it makes the process so easy! I love the combination of spices you have for the dry rub here, too!
Jill says
Totally agree that the pork butt is the best cut for pulled pork. Fat equals lots of good flavor 🙂
Neli Howard | Delicious Meets Healthy says
I love how easy this pulled pork is to make! I am definitely making this tomorrow night!
Lisa says
Sounds good going to try this