Dinner

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches with BBQ Sauce

Name: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches with BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 large onion, sliced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 cup chicken broth; 2 tbsp brown sugar; 2 tsp paprika; 2 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 cups BBQ sauce; 8 sandwich 8–10 buns or rolls; Optional toppings: coleslaw, pickles, sliced onions

August 29, 2025

Servings: 10 Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins Difficulty: Beginner

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Introduction

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches with BBQ Sauce is the ultimate comfort food classic. Juicy pork shoulder is cooked low and slow in a flavorful blend of spices until tender enough to shred effortlessly. It’s then tossed with smoky, tangy BBQ sauce and piled high onto soft buns, making each bite rich, savory, and satisfying.

This dish is a crowd-pleaser—whether it’s a game-day gathering, a backyard picnic, or a cozy weeknight dinner, pulled pork sandwiches never fail to bring everyone together around the table. The slow cooker does all the work for you, turning a humble cut of pork into something spectacular.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it combines simplicity with flavor. With minimal prep, the slow cooker transforms pork shoulder into melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork that’s full of smoky-sweet goodness. It’s a hands-off recipe, leaving you free to enjoy your day while the magic happens.

Another reason I adore it is its versatility. You can serve it in sandwiches, sliders, tacos, or even over baked potatoes or rice. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd, meal prepping, or enjoying as leftovers.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

Effortless Cooking: Just season, set, and let the slow cooker do the work.
Crowd-Friendly: Makes enough to feed the whole family or a group of friends.
Versatile: Great for sandwiches, bowls, or wraps.
Flavor-Packed: The slow cooking ensures maximum tenderness and depth of flavor.

Recipe Details

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 8 hours (on LOW) or 4–5 hours (on HIGH)
Total Time: About 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8–10 sandwiches
Calories per serving: ~450–500 kcal (depending on bun and BBQ sauce)
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course, Sandwich

Ingredients

For the Pulled Pork:

4 lbs (1.8 kg) pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chicken broth (or water)

For the Dry Rub:

2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp paprika (smoked preferred)
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

For Serving:

2 cups BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought)
8–10 sandwich buns or rolls
Optional toppings: coleslaw, pickles, sliced onions

Simple Cooking Directions

Rub pork shoulder with spices.
Place onion, garlic, and broth in slow cooker.
Add pork and cook until tender.
Shred pork, mix with BBQ sauce.
Serve on buns with toppings.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare the Pork

Mix brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder.

Step 2: Slow Cook

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear pork on all sides (optional, but adds flavor).
Place sliced onions and minced garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Set pork on top and pour in chicken broth.
Cover and cook:
- LOW for 8 hours (best for tenderness)
- or HIGH for 4–5 hours

Step 3: Shred the Pork

Once pork is tender, remove it from the slow cooker.
Use two forks to shred the meat. Discard excess fat.

Step 4: Add BBQ Sauce

Return shredded pork to the slow cooker.
Stir in BBQ sauce and cook on LOW for another 20–30 minutes so flavors meld.

Step 5: Serve

Spoon pulled pork onto buns.
Top with coleslaw, pickles, or extra BBQ sauce.
Serve warm and enjoy!

How to Serve

Classic style: On a toasted bun with creamy coleslaw.
Slider style: On small rolls for parties and gatherings.
Bowl style: Over rice, mashed potatoes, or baked sweet potatoes.
Wrap style: In tortillas with cheese and jalapeños.

Additional Recipe Tips

Trim excess fat from pork shoulder to avoid greasy pulled pork.
Searing the pork before slow cooking adds a deeper flavor.
For a smoky touch, add a splash of liquid smoke.
Keep extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

Variations

Spicy Pulled Pork: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
Carolina Style: Use vinegar-based BBQ sauce.
Sweet & Tangy: Add pineapple juice or apple cider to the cooking liquid.
Tex-Mex Twist: Use taco seasoning and serve with tortillas.

Freezing and Storage

Refrigerator: Store pulled pork in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze portions of pulled pork (without buns) in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of broth or BBQ sauce to keep it moist.

Special Equipment Needed

Slow cooker (Crockpot)
Mixing bowls
Skillet (optional, for searing)
Forks for shredding

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches with BBQ Sauce is the definition of comfort food made easy. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, leaving you with tender, juicy pork infused with bold, smoky-sweet flavors. Served on a soft bun with your favorite toppings, this recipe is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or feeding a hungry crowd. Once you try it, it’s bound to become a go-to favorite in your kitchen.

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