Tender, moist and flavorful pork that is so easy to make. This easy weeknight meal has very little preparation and makes a large batch that can be enjoyed over several meals or can feed a large group. All you need are 3 ingredients to make it.
This pulled pork is such an easy dish and fun twist on traditional barbecue. I love that it takes very little effort, making it a perfect weeknight meal. You can use the meat for sandwiches, tacos, pasta and more.
Ingredients
- Pork shoulder
- Soda
- BBQ sauce
Pork shoulder: This recipe can be made with boneless pork shoulder or butt.
Soda: You want to choose a dark soda like Coca Cola, root beer or Dr. Pepper. I used Coca Cola.
BBQ sauce: Choose whatever BBQ sauce you enjoy. The pork is flavored with the sauce after it is cooked and shredded.
How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Cut 1-inch deep slits all over the pork and place it into your slow cooker. Pour soda over the pork.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook.
- Once the pork is finished cooking, remove it from the pot and use two forks to shred the meat.
- Strain liquid from the pot. Add pork back in. Add in reserved liquid and BBQ sauce. Toss to combine the meat in the sauce and then heat on high. The meat is then ready to be served.
You can serve the meat with your favorite bread buns, tortillas, pasta, rice and more.
More Easy Meals
- 4 Ingredient Lemon Pasta
- 3 Ingredient Macaroni and Cheese
- 4 Ingredient Lasagna Stuffed Chicken
- Slow Cooker and Instant Pot Recipes
3 Ingredient Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 3 lb (1361 g) boneless pork shoulder or butt
- 12 fl oz (360 ml) cola
- 1 (18 oz/510 g) bottle bbq sauce
Instructions
- Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Add to a slow cooker (6 quart or larger). Use a sharp knife to cut slits all over the pork, about 1 inch deep. Pour the soda over top of the meat.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours (mine was done at 4.5 hours) or on low for 8 to 10 hours.
- Carefully remove pork from the crockpot. Discard any large pieces of fat, then use two forks to shred the meat.
- Strain the remaining cooking liquid in the crockpot into a bowl. Remove any excess fat that sits on the top. Set aside, you will be pouring back into the crockpot.
- Add shredded meat back into the slow cooker. Pour BBQ sauce and ½ cup of reserved cooking juices over top and toss to combine. Heat on high for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through and thick, stirring occasionally.
Notes
- I used a 6 quart slow cooker.
- You can replace Coca Cola with other dark sodas like root beer or Dr. Pepper.
- We recommend using boneless pork because it has a shorter cook time.
- If desired, you can also season the meat with salt before adding the cola but the meat is very flavorful after you add in the sauce.
- You can use whatever BBQ sauce you prefer. I like using a spicy one like Stubb's Spicy BBQ sauce.
- The estimated nutrition is calculated using Stubb's Spicy BBQ Sauce.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
I stay away from sodas, bbq sauces or anything else with high fructose corn syrup in it. Using a pork shoulder or butt translates to a lot of liquified fat. With those cuts, you lose a significant amount of weight in fat which you will drain off. Instead, I use pork loin – much leaner, but still plenty of fat. I cut it in half and drop it fat side up in the slow cooker. If I start it around 7pm on high, then turn it down to low around 11pm, Then let it cook until 6am when I get up. I remove the cooking container from the heating element, drain the fat into a jar, shred the meat with 2 salad forks, and add a full bottle of high quality bbq sauce. Stir it up real good, and refrigerate (did I mention taste testing?). Reheat in amounts you are going to eat. We like to put on sandwich bread with cole slaw. If not using bread, try adding pineapple chunks (the wife loves it.)
Thanks for sharing Daniel!
Can’t wait to get home and make this
Yay! Let us know how you like it!