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This Dr Pepper pulled pork is cooked in the slow cooker, making for a tender, fall-apart meal that is perfect for a crowd.
When it comes to easy dishes, using the slow cooker to make a meal is one of the first things that comes to mind - from beef ragu to green chili chicken enchilada soup to mojo pork tacos.
But one of the best avenues for using a slow cooker is pulled pork. You simply rub some spices on in and then set it and forget it.
However this recipe is kicked up a notch by adding some Dr Pepper. Because of the sugar and acid from it, you get some caramelized sugar which pairs great with pork and you can skip adding vinegar for the acid which is traditional. So you kill two birds with one stone!
So if you are looking for an easy dish for a crowd, this pulled pork recipe should be at the top of the list.
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Ingredient Notes
- Pork - I like to use boneless pork shoulder as it is easy to find in the 3-4 lb range.
- Onion - caramelizes in the slow cooker and melds with the pork for additional flavor.
- Spices - the combination of spices and sugar is where most of the flavor comes from.
- Dr Pepper - it adds extra liquid and flavor that pairs well with the pork.
- BBQ sauce - I like to add some BBQ sauce at the end so it isn't overloaded. Use your favorite. My go-to is Sweet Baby Ray's.
Ingredient Swaps
Like any recipe, you can mix up the ingredients. Some variations include:
- While I like boneless pork shoulder, you can use bone-in or even pork tenderloin.
- If you don't have sweet onions, white, yellow, red onions or shallots will work too. They all high slightly different flavors.
- It is called Dr Pepper pulled pork for a reason, but Coca-Cola is a good substitute.
Step-by-Step Photos
Mix the spices in a small bowl and rub all over the pork.
Place onions in even layer on the bottom of the slow cooker and add the pork on top. Pour in the Dr Pepper. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 7-8 hours.
Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred. Pour the leftover liquid/onion mixture and pour through a strainer into a measuring cup to save the liquid. Add the pork and onions back to the slow cooker and mix together. Pour some of the liquid and stir in BBQ sauce to taste.
FAQs
This recipe skips searing the pork as it is a set it and forget it meal. But if you want added flavor, you can sear the pork on all sides for 2-3 minutes before adding to the slow cooker.
No, you need some liquid to help slowly cook the pork. It also adds flavor.
You know the pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 205°F.
This pulled pork is so tender, it will start to fall apart when you pull out of the slow cooker. You can just use two forks to shred.
Pulled Pork uses
Yes you can use pulled pork for much more than sandwiches. Some other ways to incorporate it include:
Side Dish Options
Pulled pork is a great party food which means it needs some tasty sides. Some options include:
- Cornbread Muffins
- Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Collard Greens
- Apple Fennel Slaw
- Three Cheese Mac and Cheese
- Coleslaw
- Fried Apples
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- You can replace Dr Pepper with some stock and vinegar or your favorite beer.
- You can sear in a Dutch oven and then simmer for 3-4 hours if you want to skip the slow cooker.
- If the pork is still tough, that means it isn't done so just keep in the slow cooker long.
- Leftovers will last for 3-4 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
- To reheat pork, place back in the slow cooker on warm for 2 hours or in a saucepan over medium heat for a few minutes. You can also microwave.
Other Pork Recipes
If you’ve tried this Dr Pepper pulled pork recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 1 3-4 lb pork shoulder
- 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 (12 oz can) Dr Pepper
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Place the onions in even layer in the slow cooker. Combine the spices in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork so it's well coated add to the slow cooker. Add Dr Pepper. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Once done, turn off the slow cooker and remove the pork to a cutting board. Shred with two forks. Pour the leftover stock and onion mixture through a strainer into a measuring cup or bowl so you save the liquid.
- Return the pork and onion mixture to the slow cooker and mix together. Add some of the stock to keep moist and stir in BBQ sauce to taste.
Notes
- You can replace Dr Pepper with some stock and vinegar or your favorite beer.
- You can sear in a Dutch oven and then simmer for 3-4 hours if you want to skip the slow cooker.
- If the pork is still tough, that means it isn't done so just keep in the slow cooker long.
- Leftovers will last for 3-4 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
- To reheat pork, place back in the slow cooker on warm for 2 hours or in a saucepan over medium heat for a few minutes. You can also microwave.
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