Tender Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
A simple and forgiving slow cooker recipe for tender, juicy pulled pork sandwiches with a tangy, smoky BBQ sauce, perfect for easy dinners and gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours low or 5-6 hours high plus 20-30 minutes additional sauce cooking
- Total Time: 8 hours 35 minutes to 10 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (Boston Butt)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (240 ml)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 8 sandwich buns (soft brioche buns recommended)
- Optional: coleslaw for topping
Instructions
- Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat if desired, but leave some for flavor. Rub the pork generously with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and chili powder.
- Place the sliced onion and minced garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place the seasoned pork on top of the onion bed. Pour apple cider vinegar over the pork.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 5-6 hours until the pork is fork-tender and pulls apart easily.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
- Return shredded pork to the slow cooker, add BBQ sauce and brown sugar, stirring well to coat evenly. Cook on low for another 20-30 minutes to meld flavors.
- Toast sandwich buns if desired. Pile generous portions of pulled pork onto the buns. Top with coleslaw or pickles if desired.
Notes
If the pork seems dry after shredding, add a splash of reserved cooking juices or extra BBQ sauce to keep it moist. Use low and slow cooking for juicier meat. Toast buns for texture contrast. Can substitute gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps for dietary needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 475
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2.5
- Protein: 32
Keywords: pulled pork, BBQ, slow cooker, sandwiches, easy recipe, game night, comfort food