Slow Cooker Pulled Pork: This recipe is an easy slow cooker recipe for pork shoulder that can be made with simple ingredients and has an amazing flavor because it’s cooked in Cherry Coca Cola!
Quick Overview: Cook on “high” for 5-6 hours, or on “low” for 8-10 hours and serves 8-10 (1/2 lb. per person)! Serve on a bun, alone, as bbq nachos, salad, or on a baked potato!
Why you’ll love this recipe
Cherry Coke: I’m sure you’ve heard of cooking pork shoulder (or pork butt) in Coca-Cola but the flavor of Cherry Cola, takes it to a whole other level!
Set it and Forget it: Who doesn’t love a recipe that you can put in a slow cooker on busy days, turn it on and let it cook until it’s done? Slow cooker recipes are hard to beat, especially this great recipe!
Easy: This is such an easy recipe! With just a few minutes of prep (about 10 minutes) you can have this cut of pork ready for the crock pot in no time for some slow cooker bbq!
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Ingredients
Would you believe it only takes a few ingredients to make this pulled pork flavorful? It’s true! You may even have most of these ingredients on hand already!
Make sure to check out the full recipe card below that lists the ingredients and full instructions for you, all in one spot!
- 1 4-5 pound boneless pork shoulder (we think this is the best cut of meat to use)
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 12 ounces cherry cola
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray or homemade bbq sauce)
Instructions
- Mix together the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, liquid smoke and brown sugar.
- Then, put the pork shoulder in the slow cooker and rub all sides with the rub, trying to cover it the best you can.
- Next, pour the BBQ sauce over the meat (you can use a brush if that’s easier, to cover with sauce. Then, pour the soda over the pork.
- Put the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 8-10 hours or 5-6 hours on high.
- The meat is cooked and ready to eat when the meat is tender enough to pull apart, easily, with two forks.
If desired, you can save some of the meat drippings and juices, and pour over the shredded pork, or cook the pulled pork in the sauce till thick.
Pro tip: For best results, if you won’t be serving right away, make sure to turn the slow cooker to the warm setting, so not to overcook and make it mushy.
Do you need liquid in slow cooker for pulled pork?
Yes. That’s what will make it moist and juicy! By using something like Cherry Coke (like in this recipe) it’s the liquid that it needs and gives it a delicious flavor!
Substitutions
If you don’t have Cherry Coke, that’s ok! You can use regular Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, or even a sugar free version of these!
Or, you soda isn’t something you’re interested in, you can use something such as chicken broth for cooking liquid. However, it may lack some of the flavor that you’ll get by cooking it with cola. So you may want to also add items such as:
- worcestershire sauce
- apple cider vinegar (only a little or it could overpower!)
- red onion or yellow onion
- mustard powder
- soy sauce
- tomato paste
How to Eat Pulled Pork
- This pulled pork recipe is delicious serve alone as a main dish, eating it with a fork, paired with some of your favorite barbecue side dishes, such as potato salad, a lettuce salad, or even this bacon ranch pasta salad! Pour a little extra bbq sauce on top!
- Serve a portion on your favorite kind of bun: hamburger, slider buns (like we did with our cheeseburger sliders) kaiser, brioche, wheat, etc. for pulled pork sandwiches!
- Top tortilla chips with some smoked queso and this pulled pork for some ultimate nachos!
What to Serve with Pulled Pork
We absolutely love serving pasta salads with pulled pork but we’ve also found some amazing side dish ideas for pulled pork, for you!
Storage
If you happen to have leftover pulled pork, you can store it in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Simply reheat by placing the portion in the microwave or place it all in a slow cooker again and reheat on low until heated through!
Expert Tips
Absolutely! It can be frozen for up to 3 months! We like to place any leftovers in food saver bags, and freeze that way. When we’re ready to enjoy, we remove from the freezer and either thaw out in the refrigerator or place the plastic-sealed bag in a warm water bath and then reheat.
Make sure the fat side is on the top while cooking in the slow cooker. This acts as a natural baster and will keep the meat delicious and moist, making it the best pulled pork!
Yes! I use the slow cooker function on my pressure cooker to cook this bbq pulled pork recipe! Make sure to check out our other easy Instant Pot recipes too!
Related Recipes
The next time you’re at the grocery store, and want to stock up on pork, we know you’ll love this super popular pork steak recipe that has been pinned on Pinterest thousands of times! We also think you’ll love this slow cooker pork steak, roasted pork tenderloin and these baked pork chops!
Cherry Cola Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork shoulder 4-5 pounds will work!
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup barbecue sauce We LOVE Sweet Baby Rays
- 12 ounces cherry cola Such as Cherry Coke
Instructions
- Mix together the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, liquid smoke and brown sugar.
- Then, put the pork shoulder in the slow cooker and rub all sides with the rub, trying to cover it the best you can.
- Next, pour the BBQ sauce over the meat (you can use a brush if that's easier, to cover with sauce.
- Then, pour the soda over the pork. Put the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 8-10 hours or 5-6 hours on high.
- The meat is cooked and ready to eat when the meat is tender enough to pull apart, easily, with two forks.
- If desired, you can save some of the meat drippings and juices, and pour over the meat, or cook the pulled pork in the sauce till thick.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Food safety
We sometimes take for a granted that we have years (or decades) of cooking experience, that the average visitor may not. Add to, or remove from, the list below with health and safety tips.
- We recommend slow cooker pulled pork to be cooked until it reaches 195-200 °F or that it can be pulled apart easily with a fork.
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Kristyn says
You are so right about the cherry flavor taking it to a whole new level!! Perfectly tender & full of flavor! This meat can be used in so many recipes!
Katie says
This is so easy and turns out so great every time. The whole family loves it!
Emily says
Yum!! Need I say more? 🤣 Thanks for the recipe and for the different ways to use it. I’m making a double batch next time so we can have some leftovers!
Jennifer says
The best pulled pork recipe EVER!! Came out so delicious!
Jessica says
Thank you Jennifer! I’m so glad that you liked it!