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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Do I cook it fat side down or up
I usually cook it fat side up to allow the fat to run into the meat and make it tender!
Absolutely the best pulled pork recipe!!!! Have prepared this recipe for years, always delicious. A family favorite.
I’m so glad you and your family loves this as much as mine does!
Could you use these ingredients with chicken instead of pork?
I have only tried this recipe with pork. If you try it with chicken, let me know how it turns out!
Generally how much of each seasoning do you use for the rub? I’m new to the kitchen lol
Great question, I use about ½ teaspoon each or until the roast is lightly coated. Let us know how it goes!
I’m a New Zealander, so excuse my ignorance. What is Dr Pepper? I’d like to try this during our Labour Weekend holiday, coming up this weekend.
Thanks
It’s a type of soda. If you don’t have it you can use coke or root beer.
This sounds really good and so easy too! Could you please tell me the size of the Crock Pot/Slow Cooker that you used or recommend? I only have a 6 quart… hopefully that will work. :)
Thanks for your help & have a great day too!
I used a 6qt as well. Enjoy!
Hello, I plan to make this in a few days for an out of town guest! I was wondering if the roast should be unthawed or frozen? Thank you so much for your time, I can’t wait to serve and eat this!
The roast should be defrosted.
Would this work as well with a pork tenderloin? That’s all I have at home!
Pork tenderloin 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! :)
Can you make this with Pork chops–if so, How many?
I haven’t tried this recipe with pork chops before. Please let us know how it goes if you try it!
hello! should i use a bone in roast? and should the liquid cover the roast? sorry new cook here’s :))
Callie, I have only made this with boneless but I’m sure that this recipe would be great with bone in as well, so much flavor!! You may need to alter the cooking time (as I haven’t cooked with bone in) but should be fine to still follow the basic recipe. The pork doesn’t have to be completely covered.
This is the best pulled pork! Easy to make, a true crockpot recipe, no browning or cooking before, really good, the only one I make! To the reader who asked about the size of the can, if you don’t know what a can of soda is maybe you shouln’t be cooking! DUH!
They make different sized cans of sofa though. I buy mini cans for my kids all the time, they’re only about 3 or 4 ounces instead of 12.
Hi Holly- Thanks for this wonderful recipe! I’ve purchased all the ingredients to make tomorrow. I ended up getting 2 small pork butts, they seem to have a lot of fat on them… Is okay to cut some of that off? Thank you, Holly! I’ll post after I make!
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!
This may sound dumb but it says can of dr. pepper. What are the ounces. Is it a 12 oz can, 20 oz, 1 liter? I can’t find it written anywhere. The picture shows 1 liter but I want to make sure that is the right amount!
The Dr pepper in the recipe is a standard 12oz size the image is a single serve bottle which is apprx 20oz. Either will work in this recipe.
Do you not know what a can of soda is? When have you seen a 1 liter can of soda? Maybe you shouldn’t be cooking!
You are too funny! No, I have to admit, I’ve never seen a liter can of soda either! But this conversation had me cracking up!
Wow Heather, you’re rude. Soda does come in various amounts, not everyone is as smart as you. Seriously you are wants wrong with this world today.
After I take the pork out, I pour all the juices in the crock into a bowl and put it in the freezer for a half hour. Then I skim the fat off the top and put it all back in the crock pot for an hour to warm it all back up. We don’t care for greasy food.
Putting it in the freezer is a great idea!
After I take the pork out, I pour all the juices in the crock and put it in the freeze for a half hour. Then I skim the fat off the top and put it all back in the crock pot for an hour to warm it all back up. We don’t care for greasy food.
How long would I need to cook in the crockpot if I got a 9lb shoulder?
I would cook it 8-10 hours on low or until fork tender. You could use a little bit extra Dr. Pepper but I don’t think you’d need 2 full cans.
For those who made this please share what BBQ sauce works best .Thanks.
I like Sweet Baby Rays
Me, too! Making it now, with country style ribs.
Made this for Thanksgiving family arrival snack. I did not put in the onions. Once done I drained off all the juices and put a cup of juice in skillet added a tablespoon of margarine and 1/2 cup green onions. Reduced down and added to flaked pork. Mixed well and added sauce. ( We like kraft sweet and spicy). Cooked on medium for 10 more minutes. Served it on rolls from Golden Corral with my spicy coleslaw. It was a big hit.
I am so glad your family enjoyed this recipe Sandra!
Any modifications for the Instant Pot? Thanks!
I would suggest cutting the pork into 4 sections before adding to the pressure cooker and browning right in the instant pot. This would take about 60 minutes on high.
I see that Barbara is concerned for caffeine allergens but I’m a vegetarian surely someone should have thought about me and skipped the pork replacing it with a meat free alternative I mean I’m sure there’s more vegetarians that caffeine allergic people . Joking I’m making it for my husband and was amused by the comment I’m allergic to Dr Pepper.
LOL! Enjoy Bev! :)