Does pulled pork in a slow cooker need liquid?

You don't technically HAVE to add liquid into your slow cooker for pulled pork because the pork will generate moisture . However, we do recommend adding some kind of liquid to the crock pot to make sure things stay nice and moist.

What liquid should I cook pork in?

Apple cider vinegar : Adds a little tanginess and helps to tenderize the pork. Without it, the pork tastes flat. Adding the vinegar wakes everything up. Fish sauce or Worcestershire: Seasons our cooking liquid and adds a nice burts of umami, which makes the pulled pork even more delicious.

Why add apple cider vinegar to pulled pork?

Apple cider and apple cider vinegar come together in this dish to give the smoked pork a subtle sweetness and reintroduce some moisture back into the cut of meat . Apple and pork are a classic flavor combo — just think of pork chops and applesauce.

What liquid keeps pulled pork moist?

Additionally, spray chicken broth or apple juice on the meat to prevent it from losing more moisture in the crockpot. To add a strong flavor during the process, white wine can also be sprayed. You can shred the pork during smoking or in the crockpot.

Can you overcook pulled pork in a slow cooker?

On low heat, cook for 8-10 hours; on high heat, cook for 5-6 hours. The pork should be fork-tender and easily shredded. Can you overcook pulled pork in a slow cooker? Yes, overcooking can lead to dry, tough meat .

Should you flip pulled pork in a slow cooker?

I recommended turning the pork at least once to help the meat cook evenly .

Should you brown pulled pork before slow cooking?

To help the rub stick, the pork is briefly roasted in a screaming-hot oven before transferring it to the slow cooker. Now you've got rub that's going to stay firm, and layers of flavor only searing can provide.

How do I get more flavor in my pulled pork?

We use brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, a good amount of salt & pepper, and a pinch of cayenne ! Make sure you use all of the seasoning! Also, really rub it into the pulled pork, get all of the nooks and crannies!

What liquid to add to pulled pork when reheating?

To reheat pulled pork in the oven, preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread your leftover pork into the bottom of a glass or ceramic baking dish, add a splash of leftover barbecue sauce, broth, apple juice, or other flavorful liquid , then cover the pan tightly with a layer of tinfoil.

How do you make pulled pork moist after cooking?

A lot of what makes something have a “dry” mouth feel when you eat is a lack of fat and moisture. To combat this, you could reheat your pulled pork and add a little bit of water and butter or olive oil . The amount would depend on how much you are reheating.

Should I drain liquid from pulled pork?

Slow cooked pork in the oven will make its own pan juices. So, there is no need to add liquid . In fact, you will need to drain off the liquid pan juices into a container to save for later so that they do not dilute any BBQ sauce. These pan juices can also be added back later to keep it moist.

The Easiest Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (2024)

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Patty Catalano

Patty is a recipe developer and food writer. She worked Alton Brown’s Research Coordinator and podcast producer and in the Oxmoor House test kitchen. She loves maple syrup, coffee and board games. Patty lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children.

updated Jul 18, 2023

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This dead-simple pulled pork acts as the base for tacos or BBQ sandwiches with a salt, pepper, and brown sugar rub. So easy, you'll want to commit it to memory.

Serves8 to 10Prep10 minutesCook10 hours to 12 hours

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Low and Slow Is the Key to Irresistible Pulled Pork

Want to make irresistible pulled pork? Just give it time — time to dry brine and time to slow cook. Start by seasoning the pork with a shower of salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Leave the dry-brined pork — yes, the same technique as the Thanksgiving turkey — in the fridge overnight. While you sleep, those seasonings pull juices from the pork, which the salt and sugar dissolve into before being reabsorbed by the meat. If you’re strapped for time you can skip the rest time and head straight to the slow cooker.

Next comes a low-and-slow braise in the slow cooker. Pull the pork from the fridge to take the chill off while you chop a few onions and smash garlic cloves. Transfer everything to a large slow cooker and add a splash of liquid — water is great, but so is broth, apple juice, or beer if you have them handy. Cover and cook on low until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.

Here’s the thing about slow cooker pork: You can’t rush it. It needs to be cooked on low for the best finished pull-apart texture. So plan ahead so you’re not tempted to get dinner finished by cooking this on high.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Tacos or BBQ Sandwiches

When the pork is tender and the cravings hit, it’s time to decide which direction to take. With its simple rub, slow cooker pulled pork is prime for filling tacos, burritos, and BBQ sandwiches, or topping salads and soups. Spice it up Tex-Mex-style by seasoning the warm pulled pork with a packet of taco seasoning. Toss with tongs to evenly coat the meat before stuffing into tacos or rolling burritos. Or opt for a Southern-style barbecue supper and toss the pulled pork with barbecue sauce (homemade or store-bought) and pile it high on soft buns.

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Try These Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipes, Too

Simple Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This dead-simple pulled pork acts as the base for tacos or BBQ sandwiches with a salt, pepper, and brown sugar rub. So easy, you'll want to commit it to memory.

Prep time 10 minutes

Cook time 10 hours to 12 hours

Serves 8 to 10

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

1
pork shoulder or pork butt (6 to 7 pounds with bone, 5 to 6 pounds if boneless)
2 tablespoons
kosher salt
2 tablespoons
packed light or dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons
freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup
water
4 cloves
garlic, peeled and smashed
2
small onions, peeled and cut into 1-inch wedges

Option 1: Tacos

1 (1-ounce) packet
low-sodium taco seasoning
Tortillas
Pickled jalapeños
Diced tomato
Diced onion

Option 2: Barbecue Sandwiches

1/2 cup
barbecue sauce, plus more for serving
Hamburger buns
Pickle chips
Coleslaw

Instructions

Trim off any large pieces of fat from the surface of the pork. Sprinkle the salt, sugar, and pepper evenly over all sides of the pork, then pat the seasonings into the meat. If not cooking immediately, place in a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to cook, place the pork shoulder (and any accumulated juices if seasoned overnight) in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Pour the water, around, but not on top of, the pork. Scatter the garlic and onion around the pork.
Cover and cook on the LOW setting until the meat is tender and can be easily shredded, 10 to 12 hours. Transfer the pork to a clean cutting board or rimmed baking sheet. When it is cool enough to handle, use 2 forks or your fingers to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Discard the bone (if present) and any large pieces of fat.
Pour the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a measuring cup or bowl and discard the solids. Skim the fat from the surface of the cooking liquid. Reserve the cooking liquid to keep leftovers moist. Transfer to a serving bowl if serving as-is. If serving as tacos or barbecue sandwiches, transfer back to the slow cooker for seasoning.
Option 1: Tacos
Sprinkle the pulled pork with the low-sodium taco seasoning mix and toss to coat. Serve on warm tortillas with jalapenos, tomato, and onion, or your favorite taco toppings.
Option 2: Barbecue Sandwiches
Add barbecue sauce to the pulled pork and toss to coat. Serve on hamburger buns with pickles, more barbecue sauce, and coleslaw, if desired.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers, moistened with some of the reserved cooking liquid, in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Or, freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.

Make ahead: The pork can be seasoned and refrigerated in a bowl covered with plastic wrap up to 1 day in advance before cooking.

Nutritional information: This nutritional data is calculated for the pulled pork only, not as tacos or sandwiches.

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Cooking Methods

Dairy-Free

dinner

easy

Freezer Friendly