Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe

Prep 5 mins
Cook 8 hrs
Total 8 hrs 5 mins
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

This Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe makes tender pulled pork that’s packed with flavor. It makes the BEST pulled pork sandwiches! This easy recipe only uses 5 ingredients and can also be made in the Instant Pot.

Looking for more recipes like this? Check out my Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja, Crockpot Ham, and this Crockpot Pot Roast

Tender Crock Pot Pulled Pork

Who loves easy meals? Right now, the easier the better for our family, I’m sure most everyone agrees! This Pulled Pork is such an effortless dinner idea. Just five ingredients and into the crock pot it goes. I don’t always think ahead to use my crock pot, but when I do it really helps take a big weight off my shoulders.

This Crock Pot Pulled Pork is one of my family’s favorite meals and makes enough leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day! If you’re in a time crunch, it can also be made in the Instant Pot! However, I do have to admit, I find it gets a little more tender when it’s slow cooked all day in the crockpot instead. 

Pulled pork crockpot sandwiches on a chopping board.

What You’ll Need

One of the reasons I love this recipe so much is that it only uses FIVE ingredients. That’s it!

  • Pork butt – You can also use pork shoulder.
  • Coke
  • Garlic salt
  • Chili powder
  • BBQ sauce – I recommend Sweet Baby Ray’s Original

What Cut Of Meat to Use

For a classic pulled pork, a pork shoulder is the go-to. You might also see it referred to as a Boston Butt or pork butt. This will provide the moistest result for your pulled pork.

I personally prefer a boneless cut of pork, in my opinion, it’s a lot easier to work with. However, I have even used pork tenderloin in the past. It shreds well, it is just a leaner cut of pork, so the final dish will be a little dryer. However, once you add bbq sauce, it’s still delicious!

My motto is to use what you’ve got, but if you can, use a pork shoulder! 

Can I use a different type of soda?

You don’t have to use Coke to make this recipe! I have family members tell me they use diet coke, coke zero, dr pepper or any other dark soda! Use whichever soda you have on hand! 

Pulled pork from crockpot shredded on a white plate.

How to Make Pulled Pork in the Crock Pot

Seriously, I’m not kidding you when I say it is one of the easiest recipes, ever! This pulled pork is made in the crock pot and it does most of the work for you.

  • Place your pork into the crock pot and season with garlic salt and chili powder.
  • Pour the coke a cola into the crock pot. Try adding it to the sides to prevent losing most of the seasoning off your meat. Please note: the pork does not have to be fully submerged.
  • Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low for 8 hours.
  • Remove most of the liquid. Once the pork has finished cooking, remove the pork from the crock pot and discard most of the liquid, saving some to help keep the pork moist.
  • Place the pork back into the crock pot and shred using two forks.
  • Add the BBQ Sauce and combine. Leave the crock pot on warm until you are ready to serve.

We love our pulled pork best when made with Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce and served with tons of onions, pickles and on a potato bun.

Pulled pork sandwiches up close image

Can I Make this Recipe in the Instant Pot?

Yes! It is such a versatile recipe that it is easy to convert to the Instant Pot! Follow the standard directions, but instead of using a crock pot, cook on manual high pressure for 75 minutes with a natural pressure release!

Ways to Use Pulled Pork

If you happen to have any leftovers, there are so many ways you can use them up. My family is honestly always excited when we have leftover pulled pork, because it means some delirious dinners (or breakfast!) are coming!

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Let your pulled pork come to room temperature, then store it in the fridge in an air tight container. It will keep for 4-5 days. When you’re ready to reheat, you can heat it in the microwave. I like to put the amount I want to eat in a bowl, then cover that bowl with a plate to prevent splattering and to hold in extra moisture.

Can I Freeze Extras?

Yep! You can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months, for optional freshness.

This is the easiest and most delicious pulled pork recipe I have made. Trust me, I’ve tried my fair share! Please leave a review or comment below letting me know how this recipe turns out for your family! Enjoy!

Yield: 8 servings

Crock Pot Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Coca Cola Pulled Pork: my families favorite easy recipe made in a slow cooker or instant pot and only uses 5 ingredients! #slowcooker #crockpot #instantpot

This Crock Pot Pulled Pork is my favorite easy recipe for sweet pulled pork. It can be made in a slow cooker or instant pot and only uses five ingredients!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 pound pork butt (or a pork shoulder)
  • 2 liter coke
  • 3 tablespoons garlic salt
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (I recommend Sweet Baby Ray’s Original)

Instructions

  1. Place pork into crock pot and season entire pork with garlic salt and chili powder.
  2. Pour the coke in adding just enough coke to almost cover pork — you do not need to cover meat completely.
  3. Cook on low for 8 hours. It can cook longer, no worries if it has to sit a little longer.
  4. Remove pork from crock pot and discard 97% of coke mixture…leaving just a little behind to help moisten the pork.
  5. Place the pork back into the crockpot (or in a large bowl) and then use two large forks to shred the meat.
  6. Add BBQ sauce and combine (above it says 1 to 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce, which just means add as much, or as little, as you like).
  7. Leave slow cooker on low, or warm, to keep things hot until you are ready to serve.
  8. Store leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight conatiner, for up to 5 days.
  9. INSTANT POT: Cook on manual high pressure for 75 minutes. Do a natural pressure release. Then follow directions from #4 down.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8 servings

Serving Size:

1 serving

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 579Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 146mgSodium: 2557mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 21gProtein: 41g

Categories

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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Comments

55 Responses
  1. Tim B

    The sugar in the Coke is what helps break down and tenderize the meat. For additional flavor and tenderizer action… use a large can of condensed frozen orange juice combined with the Coke. Also, be sure to give the shoulder or butt a healthy rub and then braise the meat in a cast iron skillet before slow cooking.

  2. Danielle

    Made this for my family tonight. I was so nervous about using the coke, but I figured worst case we can just make something else. This recipe was so delicious I was calling people in from different rooms to try it while I was still dishing it up.

  3. Therese

    This looks delish! I moved to Florida a little over 10 years ago from Chicago. Since moving here I’ve found that Florida doesn’t have the best food scene. I’m use to some of the most delicious food and amazing restaurants being in my backyard. It’s not the same here. There are good restaurants here, but they are definitely harder to come by. Luckily, I go back to Chicago a couple times a year to see my Dad and stepmom so I get as many of my fave restaurants in as possible. Since the food is hit or miss here in Florida I’m always looking for amazing recipes online. I’ve found so many great ones here on your blog. Thank you for the delish recipes and great inspiration.

  4. Brittany

    OH my gosh! I made this last night and it was AMAZING!!! Your recipes are amazing and great for people who don’t cook a lot (like me). Thank You and I will definitely be trying many more!!!

  5. Kelly

    I made this today and it was super easy! Popped into the crock pot this morning before work, came home 10 hours later and took it out. Was super tender and easy to shred, put BBQ sauce on it and let it heat up a little more while I made some corn to go with it. Didn’t taste any coke at all, but it was still delicious! TFTR!

    1. A woman holding a camera standing in front of some shelves.
      Jessica

      So glad you liked it! It’s one of my all time favorite tailgate dinners! And no, the coke is to help cook and tenderize the meat…not as much for flavor. :-)

  6. Wendy

    Made this tonight, delicious! Sweet Baby Rays was definitely a great choice. I now have a very satisfied (and stuffed!) husband!

  7. Becca

    I am so making this soon! I have a bottle of Sweet Baby Ray’s in the pantry just begging to be used up. I love love love barbecue (yes, pulled pork is barbecue to me, I’m from Florida!) and this sandwich looks fabulous!

  8. Martha

    Almost forgot – Your crock pot pulled pork looks delicious! I’m with you on the Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce. I prefer to mix the sweet brown sugar and the spicy one together.

  9. Martha

    Not sure where you are in Florida but if you are anywhere near my area head over to Goldrush BBQ in Venice – they serve a delicious BBQ beef brisket! :-)

  10. sweetlife

    all hail the mighty brisket….I’m Texan so I know brisket, and Sweet Baby Rays we buy this sauce all the time, great recipe…we also love a good brisket taco…

    sweetlife

  11. Deborah

    I love brisket and have eaten it several times – once even in Texas!! I do love pulled pork, though, and this recipe sounds wonderful!

  12. Suzy

    NOBODY knows brisket/BBQ the way TX does. Sad fact!
    I love the idea of using Coke with this! I’m sure it really helps out the flavor and the breakdown to get it nice and tender!

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Jessica
I'm a trial & error, self taught, sugar addict who thankfully learned how to survive in the kitchen! I am also a wife, mama of 3.
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