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, nachos, 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!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4-5 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast or pork butt
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- 1 onion sliced, optional
- 12 ounces Dr. Pepper 1 can
- ¾ cup barbecue sauce or to taste
- Rolls for serving
- prepared 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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Hi, on the Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork, do you have to cut all the fat off before putting it in the crock pot? How do you handle the fat issue? I also make a dish similar with Coke and Ketchup and chicken breast. It’s delish!
Thanks,
Sandra
I don’t generally cut off the fat. If you find the juices to have a lot of fat floating on top, you can skim the juices before returning the shredded pork to the slow cooker! (And I’d love to find your Cola/Ketchup chicken breasts, I think my kids would love it!).
I made this yesterday for dinner and all I have to say is, it’s my new favorite meal to make! It turned out so tender and yummy! I used Open Pit Brown Sugar & Bourbon BBQ sauce and it ended up perfect! :)
So glad you enjoyed it!
I made this with chicken its so tender!
Lol ignore the spell check spelling…of course i meant soda not sofa!;):)
Oh good I was about to chop up my sofa
Has anyone tried with Mt dew? That’s all i have soda wise right now..
How much does it differ from dark sofas if at all?
Thanks:)
^Soda^
I used a can of cider because I forgot to get Dr Pepper and it was delicious.
it works great with Black cherry and Root beer Too
Forgive what may seem a stupid question. At step 3 when you say ‘shred the pork and place back in the juices’ you don’t mean back in the Dr Pepper juice do you?. Do you mean put it back with any juices that has seeped out during the shredding process?. Thanks.
Hi Roy! Yes, add it back into the Dr. Pepper juices left in the slow cooker! Enjoy!!
how many people will it feed?
It will depend on the size of your pork roast. 4-5 lbs should feed 8 people.
Moxie works too!
Yep, we call it Moxie meat at our house! You must be a Mainah!
I have heard of this recipe and I know it will be a great one. I am going to try this for Sunday dinner.
I have had pulled pork made this way, but with Root Beer instead of Dr. Pepper. (Root Beer has no caffeine and you can also get Diet Root Beer if you want.. ) The pork is Delicious made this way.
Wow thanks for the tip! We bought some root beer BBQ sauce and it was out of this world. Now I feel I can make my own with your tip.
I use root beer too. Also just plain beer with about two tablespoons of brown works too! And before anyone gets their panties in a knot….the alcohol cooks out.
Both sound like delicious ideas! I’ve heard that root beer is fantastic… next time I make it I’m going to give that a try!
Dr. pepper pulled pork! Say what!!! Thanks for linking up to the Weekend Wind-Down Party! :)
We just love this Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork and it is great to cook it in the Slow Cooker. Thank you so much for sharing this awesome post with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
I have a chicken recipe that is similar (not the same) and I am sure you could adapt it to use chicken (and eliminate the bacon). :)
https://www.spendwithpennies.com/slow-cooker-bacon-barbecue-chicken-sliders/
Thanks…..do you think that it would be ok to still use a can of that Dr. Pepper in just to give it that extra flavor?
Absolutely!
I just bought a 9lb center cut pork loin. How would I adapt this recipe for that
For a 9lb roast, use 3 onions and pour enough dr pepper on the roast to cover it. I never use cans, only 2 liters so as long as you cover the meat, you’ll be fine.
What size pork butt roast? How many pounds??
Approximately 3-4 lbs… but really any size will work. :)
I make this several times a year, and it’s always a big hit with everyone! I usually follow the recipe, but sometimes I add in red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper for extra spice.
Exactly! If you knew you were allergic to nuts you wouldn’t make a dish with nuts in it!
I would think that if you are allergic to caffeine, you won’t make this!
The only thing I would do different is to sear the meat first, get that good crusty carmelization going! Sounds delish, will try it the next time I catch a sale on the pork! Or may even try it with beef brisket!
what about people who are allergic to caffeine? they better have an ingredient disclosure attached.
I hope you won’t make this recipe if you are allergic to caffeine! You could use something caffeine free as well.
Most root beer is Caffeine free….they mentioned it could be made with that too so there IS a disclosure of sorts. Lets also hope that people are capable of using their brain if they know they’re allergic to any of the ingredients. (oh I forgot – most people don’t want to have to use common sense any more.)
I concur with you! Read recipe and substitute if necessary.
Come on People~~
Well said!
Well said….
My thoughts exactly
For real…common sense GEEEEZZZ
Seriously, Barbara??
Dr Pepper does offer a caffeine free version. I’m sure it’s the carbonation of the beverage that breaks down the meat to make it fall off so easily, but it’s the 23-flavors (sorry for the shameless plug) that give it the unique flavor,
it does work with other sodas.. i have used sierra mist. The dr. pepper is just the better flavor.
Whole Foods makes a caffeine free version (also uses sugar instead of corn syrup) called Dr. Snap. I have never seen a caffeine free version of Dr. Pepper unfortunately.
Wonder if cola cola’s-cherry coke would be alright to try,let’s hope cuz it’s in my slow cooker as I write this lol… has anyone tried same
An ingredient disclosure?!? Seriously? The name of the recipe wasn’t enough!? Some ppl!
Sounds yummy :)
I was thinking the same thing. You made me giggle …. Lol
I can’t stop giggling! xoxo marg
Dr.Pepper has a Diet or Caffeine Free Version you can use if you are worried.
Wow I think if you’re making it, you’d know what’s in Dr. Pepper or read labels yourself. Don’t be lazy and make the poster list them for you.
Then you would need an ingredient disclosure on all recipes. I can’t have caffeine and know to read ingredients on all soft drinks. Sadly my favorites have caffeine, like dr pepper, Mountain Dew and good old regular coke. :(
A disclosure? What if you just used common sense? There’s a thought! If I’m allergic to chocolate I wouldn’t eat a chocolate cake…duh.
I’m allergic to onions, but I’m pretty sure the poster will forgive me for leaving it out and not asking her to add a disclosure.
FUNNY, But seriously!
It says optional for the onions!!!
I have a high intolerance to onions. I left them out and it came out just fine.
Maybe if you know you’re sensitive to caffeine, then you’d know to avoid items that contain caffeine…kind of like….Dr Pepper has caffeine so why would you make something that has caffeine in it…also coffee has caffeine – but you don’t expect to see caffeine listed as an ingredient here in that case – common sense.
if you’re allergic to something and elect to follow a recipe containing your allergen, that’s natural selection as far as i’m concerned.
That is !
If your allergic to caffeine, simple don’t use anything with caffeine. Simple isn’t it? Common sense is a great thing to use. Be responsible for yourself.
Then use caffeine free, if you are mature enough to make this then i would hope you are able to figure out if soda has caffeine or not.
there is a recipe for a root beer and root beer has no caffeine
Barq’s root beer is loaded with caffeine so be careful about root beer too; if allergic to something always read ingredients and don’t assume just because its root beer that it’s caffeine free
I didn’t realize Barq’s root beer has caffeine. I never even thought to check. Thank you for sharing this. :) I’m not sensitive to caffeine, but this is good to know.
You don’t cook much do you? Bless your heart. I promise you’ll either figure out how to intelligently not harm yourself…or you won’t.
HAHAHAHAHA!!! Good one!
Wait, you’re serious?