Slow Cooker Pulled Pork | Boston Butt

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is incredibly easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd. It’s always tender and delicious and makes everyone happy.

Many people, including myself, like to call this dish Pulled Pork. This is just simply pork cooked slowly over low heat until it’s tender enough to be pulled into strips. Often people add bbq sauce to the pork giving this the lip-smacking name Pulled Pork BBQ.

With just a few minutes of prep, you will have dinner in the slow cooker before you head out the door in the morning. Plus, your house will smell amazing when you get home.

Ingredients Needed for Pulled Pork

 Boston Butt
water
 salt, pepper, garlic powder
 brown sugar

Instructions for Making the Best Pulled Pork

Mix all seasonings together in a bowl and set aside.
Rub butt with seasonings until evenly coated.
Add water to the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the butt in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours.
Remove the butt from the slow cooker, discard fat and bone.
Shred with a fork or chop to the desired size.
If desired, add your favorite bbq sauce to the meat or add to each individual serving.

What’s the Difference between a Pork Shoulder and a Boston Butt?

Boston Butt, Pork Butt, or Pork Shoulder–whatever you want to call it is up to you. Both cuts of meat come from the shoulder of the pig. A Boston Butt does NOT come from the rear of the pig.

Pork Butt and Pork Shoulder are often confused with each other. Both come from the shoulder of the pig. The pork butt known as the Boston Butt is higher on the front leg, while the pork shoulder known as picnic shoulder is farther down.  Both are flavorful cuts of pork, and they both do well in a slow cooker. Both need to cook low and slow—no question about it. If you want tender meat, cook it slowly.

Today we are cooking with a Pork Butt or also called Boston Butt.

How to Cook a Boston Butt in the Slow Cooker

A Boston Butt needs low and slow cooking to make it tender. You can not rush this process. I usually put my pork butt in the slow cooker in the morning, cut it on low, and it’s ready when I return home in the evenings. My slow cooker does all of the work for me.

How to Prepare Pulled Pork

Once the pork butt has finished cooking, take it out of the slow cooker. Shred the meat with 2 forks; pulling the meat apart (pulled pork) into strips. Add BBQ sauce and serve. If you would rather have it chunky, just dice the meat. I have made it both ways.

What Kind of BBQ Sauce is the Best?

Well, the choices are endless. There are so many to choose from: You have your thick, thin, spicy, sweet, hot, sticky, honey, tangy, mustard, and the list goes on. Everyone has their favorite. I usually make my Homemade BBQ Sauce for Pulled Pork. It’s very easy to make and very flavorful. But, the choice is yours. If you would like to make your own bbq sauce, check out the recipe here for Homemade BBQ Sauce. It’s an easy sauce.

How Long to Cook a Pork Butt in a Slow Cooker?

Usually, I purchase a 4-5 pound butt. This type of meat requires a long and slow cooking time. I usually set my slow cooker to low and leave it alone–about 7-8 hours. If desired, you can cook on high for 4-5 hours.

I start off by adding a little water to the slow cooker. This will keep the pork from drying out. Dried pork can happen if cooked at a temperature too high or cooked for far too long. (like putting it in the slow cooker and forgetting about it for 10 hours or so. 🙂 Cooking the pork with a little liquid helps keep it from drying out.

Cooking Tips and Variations

Cooking a Boston Butt is very easy. There are very few steps needed to have a perfect outcome. Below are some tips and variations for cooking a Pork Butt.
Start with a little liquid in the slow cooker.
Rub the butt with seasonings on both sides.
Use pineapple juice instead of water.
Cook on low.
Use two forks to pull the pork into strips or bite-sized pieces.
Chop the pork instead of pulling it into strips.

Add your favorite barbecue sauce.

How to Store Pulled Pork

Store any leftover meat in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. I have found it does well for 3-4 days. Reheat and enjoy.
Pulled Pork can be frozen. Allow the meat to cool, fill a freezer-safe zip-top bag, and place it into the freezer. This usually lasts for 4-6 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Side Dishes to Serve with Pulled Pork

 For side dishes to serve with Pulled Pork, check out the following:
Tangy Vinegar Coleslaw & Oriental Coleslaw– two versions–you decide which one is best for you.
Corn on the Cob– one of my favorites, and you can’t go wrong with corn on the cob.
Creamed Corn– Creamy and delicious and another easy slow cooker recipe.
Pineapple Casserole– pork and pineapple just go together in my book. This casserole is awesome on its own, but with pork… Well, just try it.