Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Pulled Pork is the perfect way to feed a crowd. This slow cooker pulled pork is easy, tender, delicious and everyone always loves it!
With just 5 minutes of prep, this pulled pork crockpot recipe is ready to go before heading off to work. You’ll come home to a slow cooker full of tender juicy pulled pork perfect for sandwiches or topping Baked Potatoes or Mac and Cheese.
Crock Pot Pulled Pork is Easy to Make
This easy Crock Pot Pulled Pork is an easy family favorite! Let the Slow Cooker do all of the work, and then pile this pulled pork on crusty buns and top with some fresh homemade coleslaw for a dish everyone raves over! This slow cooker pulled pork is perfect for Sunday supper, tailgating or even for parties (on slider buns) or piled on top of baked sweet potatoes!
The best part about this dish is that it cooks in the slow cooker and is ready when you are, which means it’s easy to make.
Pulled Pork Bar: If you are serving a crowd, you can easily turn your slow cooker pulled pork on low to keep it warm until guests are ready to eat. We just set out a basket of rolls and a bowl of slaw and our guests can create their own sandwiches!
What Kind of Pork for Pulled Pork?
While some people use a tenderloin for pulled pork, it’s so lean that it easily becomes dry and tough (it’s more suited to roasting to medium). Like most slow cooker recipes, a pork roast with lots of nice fat marbled throughout becomes very tender in the Crock Pot!
The best cut of pork for pulled pork is pork shoulder. It can go by different names (and names can vary by location). When looking for pork, I choose boneless (bone in still works just fine, may need a little bit extra time but not much). Any of the following will be great:
- shoulder butt roast
- shoulder roast
- blade roast
- pork butt
- boston butt
- picnic roast
- pork steaks (which is slices of pork butt)
Any of the cuts above benefit from cooking low and slow to break down the tissues and make it buttery and tender. Pulled pork crock pot recipes are ideal because of the cooking temperature.
How to Make Pulled Pork in the Crock Pot
- Line the bottom of the Crock Pot with sliced onion.
- Rub the pork roast with seasoning and add to the slow cooker (per recipe below).
- Pour Dr. Pepper (or Rootbeer) on top and let the Crock Pot work its magic.
- Once cooked, shred with 2 forks and stir back into the juices. Add additional BBQ sauce if needed and serve on crusty rolls!
How Long to Cook Pulled Pork in the Crock Pot
The following is for a 4lb boneless pork roast. If you are short on time, cut the pork into 3-inch cubes.
- Cook on High for 4-5 hours
- Cook on Low for 7-8 hours
Slow cooker pulled pork needs just a few simple ingredients to create a dish that is so juicy and delicious.
To tell if the pork is done, use a fork and pull off a small piece. It should be easy to remove and melt in your mouth tender. If the pork isn’t fall-apart tender, it’s not quite done yet so cook it a bit longer!
What to Serve with Crock Pot Pulled Pork
- Classic Coleslaw Recipe – Fast!
- Dill Pickle Coleslaw
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Crock Pot Corn on the Cob
- Baked Beans
- Fresh Corn Salad
Did your family enjoy this Pulled Pork Recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pork butt/pork shoulder roast 4-5 pounds
- salt, pepper, & garlic powder
- 1 onion sliced, optional
- 1 can Dr. Pepper
- ¾ cup barbecue sauce or to taste
- Rolls & coleslaw for serving
Instructions
- Place the onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Rub the outside of the roast with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Pour the Dr. Pepper over the pork and cook on high 4-5 hours or on low 7-8 hours.
- The meat will be very tender. Using 2 forks, shred the pork and place back in the juices.
- Add barbecue sauce to taste. Allow to cook an additional 30-60 minutes if desired.
- Serve on crusty rolls with coleslaw.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
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Very good !! Tasty, tender and so easy to do .instead to use garlic powder i did used a real garlic. I makes some hole with a knife into the pork and I insert the garlic into the pork .
So it bring the meat to an upper level of of tenderness ..So it’s a 5 stars for me
Thank you
Very good I didn’t change anything made with Dr pepper mixed in the onions and added BBQ sauce on Brioche Style Hamburger buns with sweet coleslaw
Easy P easy. I had a 7lb bone in pork shoulder roast ,cooked for 7hours on high. used cherry coke. Drained the fat, shredded meat put back into crock-pot, added my bar-barque sauce. Heated through & served on hamburger buns with coleslaw. Very good & tender. 5 stars, Penny has very good comfort food recipes & they are easy to follow.
Cherry coke sounds like a delicious option! Thanks for sharing Kay.
Hi! What flavor of BBQ sauce works best in this recipe? I have family members with dietary issues and make my own with ketchup, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, paprika, black pepper, sea salt, and a dash of red pepper flakes. Do you think this would work well with the Dr Pepper? Thank you!
I think that will work well, Eileen!
Great recipe! thank you! Has anyone tried freezing the left overs?
This freezes very well, Linda!
is it OK to use a pork loin roast? Thank-you fir your recipes!!
Pork loin is much leaner than a butt/shoulder roast. You may need to adjust cooking time so it doesn’t dry out! Let us know how it works out for you! :)
Has anyone replied to using Pork Loin Roast? I just put one in crockpot with this recipe and wanted to know how long should it cook? Thank you
I have not personally tried but pork loin is much leaner than a butt/shoulder roast. So you may need to adjust cooking time so it doesn’t dry out! Let us know how it works out for you!
Has anyone tried this in an instant pot and for how long? I need to make something for a baby shower this weekend and I am going to be under a crunch time wise due to other commitments.
Yes, that should work just fine. I would suggest using the cooking times/method in this Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe.
Would this work with a Pork Loin? Thanks!
Pork loin is much leaner than a butt/shoulder roast. You may need to adjust cooking time so it doesn’t dry out! Let us know how it works out for you! :)
Excited to make this! What are the measurements for the salt, pepper and garlic?
Hi Lauren, You just want to add a light sprinkling to the outside of the roast. So depending on the size of your roast, it will depend on how much you end up using.
This was the BEST ever! I made for a baby shower and literally all those who attended asked for the recipe and said it was better than they have ever had. Thanks for the recipe as I has now become a family favorite.
Do you remove the netting before cooking?
Hi Kristi, since you are shredding it you can remove the netting before cooking.
The rub on this seems very basic, but I am sure delicious. Has anyone used a BBQ rub from Grillmates or McCormick? I wanted to add a bit of smokiness when I do this on Saturday!
I made exactly as noted and it was soooo good!
Smokiness won’t come from a run unless you use liquid smoke. It comes from a smoker. I religiously use Rodney Scott’s Rib Rub (google recipe) and it turns out well.
I made this for my family and YUMMMM!! It was incredibly easy, everyone loved it and we had leftovers for days!
Best pulled pork ever! I made it for a party and everyone raved about it.
Hi – I’m making for 20 – 24 people. Do I just triple everything? Can I make ahead and reheat in oven?
Yes I would double or triple this recipe (it does make great leftovers!). You will want to ensure your Crockpot is a maximum 3/4 full, so you may need to do two batches. It can be made ahead and reheated. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out Michelle!
What is the best way to reheat?
It can be reheated in the slow cooker for a couple of hours or it can be reheated in the oven or on the stovetop depending on what is available to you.
Have you made this recipe using liquid smoke?
I have not tried it Rhonda. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out!
Hi, how much flavor of the soda does the pork retain? I have mixed palates that do t like dr. Pepper or root beer? I am trying to decide which one to use.
Excited to try this!!
The Dr Pepper does add flavor and a slight sweetness to the pulled pork, but largely acts as a tenderizer. I can’t wait for you to try it Linda!