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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I can’t wait to make this for a party we are having this weekend! My question is that I need about eight hours on low for it to be done in time for the party but don’t want to wake up that early on the weekend LOL. Can I cook overnight and then rewarm without a drying out? Thank you!
This recipe can also be cooked on high for 4-5 hours. If you are short on time you can cut the pork into 3″ cubes, hope this helped!
Hello,
I’m making pulled pork for the first time. I bought a pork shoulder but didn’t realize it was on the bone until I got home. Can I slow cook it with the bone-in? Does that add to the cooking time? Should I change the amount of Dr. Pepper? Thanks!
Hi Nicole! That would be delicious. You may need to alter the cooking time (as I haven’t cooked a bone in shoulder in the slow cooker before) but should be fine to still follow the basic recipe.
Should I trim the fat off the roast?
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 meat to the slow cooker!
I’ve made this before and love it! Question (hopefully you’ll see in time for me)…I’m making with an almost 4lb pork loin end cut bone in roast. Fingers crossed as I know it’s not a recommended cut. Any suggestions for any changes?
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! :)
Made this for a friend get together. everyone went in for seconds and thirds It had a super good flavor! Just wondering if you can freeze leftovers? We made a huge roast and could t eat it all.
Yes, it freezes beautifully Amber!
This was my first time making pulled pork. The recipe was extremely easy and simple so I decided to give it a whirl.
No complaints here. The pork turned out super tender, moist and delicious. Thank you!
You are very welcome Mike!
Can you sub coke for Doc Pep? Thanks.
Coke or Diet Coke will work just fine in this recipe. Enjoy Charles!
This is the best most simple recipe!
My first time using a crock pot and it came out AMAZING. I waited until after I pulled the pork to add BBQ sauce, so tender and juicy. Thanks!
You’re welcome Bonnie, so glad you love the reicpe!
Love love love this recipe. Normally I don’t post reviews or comments but I’ve literally used this specific recipe for a long time now. I’m not sure why the rude comments so I felt the need to comment. Dark sodas/beers are a natural tenderizer. I don’t taste much of the Dr Pepper in the pork when it’s done bc the flavor goes away a lot like vinegar in recipes. I love this recipe and will continue to use it as long as I have Pinterest and can come back to it. thank you holly!
Hi Holly,
I am starting this now. I have a great big shoulder picnic roast, bone in weighing 11½ pounds. I took the huge bone out do I’m guessing I have about 9 – 9½ pounds. Could you give me your guesstimate on the cooking time on low. Also, would any dry bean be good to cook with that bone or any ideas? Is there a recipe a person could use all the cooking juices in? I really appreciate any advice you can give me. And thank you for all of your unbelievable recipes!!
I haven’t tried an extra large roast in the slow cooker but I would think you’d need to add an hour or two. If you check it an it’s tough, it likely needs more time. Let us know how it goes!
I have two smaller roasts (2 and 2.4lbs) that I plan to use. Would the cook time be the same?
I use approximately 3-4 lbs… but really any size will work. The cook time may be slightly less. I’d check after about 3 hours on high and 5 hours on low to see if they are fall apart tender. :)
Does the Dr Pepper need to cover the meat completely? Excited to try!
It doesn’t cover the meat completely.
How much salt, pepper and garlic powder do I use for this?
You just want to add a light sprinkling to the outside of the roast.
I have never made any form of pulled pork before and I now make this recipe every couple of weeks and it’s a big hit I make it without the onions as no one else likes or but don’t change it apart from that.
Wonderful!!! So tender and flavorful…definitely making this recipe again!!!
I had to really Doctor the recipe. The Dr. Pepper gave it a very perfumed/synthetic taste.
I won’t ever use it again.
I had to add chicken bouillon, hot sauce, cider vinegar… to mask the artificial flavor the soda produced.
Definitely top with Coleslaw.
I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy it, and very surprised to hear that Alison. This recipe is a very popular reader recipe! Did you use diet soda, or a brand other than Dr Pepper?
Amazing idea can’t wait to cook up for family
Hi Holly! I’m trying your recipe for the first time. Can I put in rub and let it sit overnight in the fridge?
Yes, the rub will be just fine overnight in the fridge. Enjoy the recipe!
It’s been almost 4.5 hours and it’s still not done. It was 3.48 lbs. any idea why it’s not done yet. We are soooo hungry
Was the slow cooker set to high? If you’ve opened the slow cooker frequently to check it, this can also add a lot of extra cook time.
Recipe sounds delicious! I have about 8 boneless pork cutlets I would like to try this recipe with. How long do you think I should cook them for in the crockpot?
I use this recipe for crockpot pork chops.