Easy Texas Pulled Pork in a Slow Cooker

A real Southern staple, Texas pulled pork is prized for its supple, melt-in-your-mouth texture, smokey overtones, and great flavor. Without a smoker or grill, this simple slow cooker recipe lets you replicate the famous Texas BBQ tastes right from your house. Since the slow cooker does all the cooking, this recipe is ideal for laid-back weekends or hectic workday dinners. Whether presented over a bed of rice, sliders, tacos, or sandwiches, this pulled pork will soon become a family favorite.

Ingredients

• Also known as pig butt, 4 pounds pork shoulder is juicy and tender with the perfect fat content for slow cooking.
• One big onion, sliced improves taste and lends a faint sweetness.
• Three minced garlic cloves give richness and depth.
• One cup BBQ sauce will give the meat its distinctive Texas BBQ taste using your choice brand or homemade if you so like.
• Apple cider vinegar one-fourth cup strikes a mix between sweet taste and a little tang.
• One-fourth cup chicken broth maintains the pork’s juiciness and moistness during boiling.
• Two tablespoons brown sugar brings sweetness and aids in caramelizing flavor.
• For a smoky, Texas-style depth of taste, use two tsp smoked paprika.
• One tsp cumin lends earthiness and warmth.
• One tsp chili powder improves the BBQ flavors without using excessive heat.
• Taste-wise, salt and pepper highlight all the tastes.

Instructions

1. Get ready the Pork Shoulder. Season the pork shoulder well with salt and pepper; pat it dry with a paper towel. This absorbs the ingredients and helps to lock in taste as it begins to cook.
2. Combine in a mixing bowl BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar, smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Whisk until everything combines perfectly.
3. Starting at the bottom of the slow cooker, layer the minced garlic and sliced onions. Next top the onions with the seasoned pork shoulder. This arrangement lets the onions and garlic flavour the pork throughout cooking.
4. Pour the BBQ mixture over the pork shoulder, being sure it is thoroughly coated. Cook. Cover the slow cooker and run it low for eight to ten hours or high for four to five hours. The low-and- slow technique helps the pork to become soft and completely absorb the tastes of the sauce.
5. Once the pork has cooked, it should be soft enough to fork apart. Pull it carefully from the slow cooker, set it on a big cutting board, and shred the meat with two forks. Revers the shredded pork back into the slow cooker and stir with the remaining sauces and liquids.
6. Taste the shredded pork and then modify the seasonings to add additional BBQ sauce, salt, or pepper as needed. To let the flavors melt together, let the pork rest in the sauce on “warm” for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Suggestions for Serving Calls

• Serve the pulled pork on soft buns topped with coleslaw for extra crunch and drizzled extra BBQ sauce.
• Spoon pork onto tiny corn tortillas, top with shredded cabbage, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for a taco-style variation.
• Bowl of Pulled Pork: For a Texas-inspired bowl, layer the pork over rice or cauliflower rice then top with black beans, corn, avocado, and salsa.
• Advice on Perfect Texas Pulled Pork
• Select the appropriate cutting technique. For this recipe, pork shoulder or pig butt is best as low, slow cooking brings them to soft and fragrant.
• Manage the Spice: Add additional chili powder, cayenne, or few dashes of hot sauce for more heat.
• Allow it. Rest: Let the pork rest in the sauce in the slow cooker for extra 15 to 20 minutes after shredding. This lends the meat extra taste and juiciness.

Storing and Reheating

Store any left-over pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat on the stovetop adding some broth splashes.
Reheat in a pan set on medium-low with a little sauce or liquid to avoid drying out.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

From family meals to tailgate gatherings, this slow cooker Texas pulled pork is a winner for any occasion with its rich, smoky tastes and ultra-tender texture. Pulled pork aficioners should definitely try this dish with few ingredients, quick preparation, and a dependable slow cooker. Present it your own and get a taste of Texas BBQ free from hassle!