If someone was to ask me my favorite kitchen appliance, I would have to say “all of them.” If someone was to ask me what I think is the most underrated kitchen appliance I would say: the crockpot.
I’m one of those people who hesitates to leave a heated appliance plugged in and powered on for ten hour stretches when I’m not home (which is likely related to the fact that I would prefer to spend my money at Whole Foods than on renters’ insurance, but that’s besides the point). Nonetheless, this pulled pork is worth it.
Friday, my friend Rachel and I were cooking for 20 people to welcome our friend Charlette to Chicago and one of our menu items needed 8 hours in the slow cooker. This is not only a painstakingly easy recipe, but it requires very little hands on time before you toss it into the slow cooker and forget it’s there. That I did, and I’m pleased to say that I did not need to call the fire department and my apartment building still stands in one piece.
For the party, I served these as sliders and because our menu was a “Welcome to Chicago” party focused around a Chicago theme (including costumes), with spicy giardiniera, an assortment of spicy pickled peppers and vegetables.
For a busy weeknight, you could make these as full-sized sandwiches and still have some leftovers (or use a smaller piece of pork and freeze extra barbecue sauce for a future use).
- 1 cup lager (or any beer of your choice, I used Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold)
- ½ large onion, chopped
- ½ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup cider vinegar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 pounds pork butt or shoulder, bone-in
- 30 slider buns (or as many full-sized sandwich rolls as you'd like to serve)
- Spicy giardiniera, optional for serving
- Combine the first twelve ingredients in your slow-cooker and stir until combined. Add the pork butt or shoulder and stir gently, spooning sauce over the pork until it's almost completely coated. Turn your slow cooker on low and let it cook for 8 hours (or longer if you'll be away from the home for more than eight hours).
- After a minimum of 8 hours, shred the pork using two forks and serve with the extra sauce on the side. Place on individual buns and serve topped with giardiniera, if desired. Save leftovers for up to two days.
74 Comments
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Katalina @ Peas & Peonies
June 23, 2016 at 10:42 pmWhat a great recipe to try in my slow cooker!
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
June 13, 2016 at 12:30 amThat pulled pork looks amazing! I love easy sliders like these for dinner.
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
June 12, 2016 at 5:26 pmI’ve only made pulled pork once, but this recipe seems easy enough to do!
Cathy Trochelman
June 12, 2016 at 8:34 amWe love pulled pork….these look *perfect*!
Melanie | Melanie Makes
June 11, 2016 at 8:39 pmA perfect slow cooker meal that is wonderful for a party!
Sandi (@fearless_dining)
June 10, 2016 at 9:23 pmI love how easy you make these look to cook…I need to use my slow cooker more often.
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
June 9, 2016 at 4:38 pmI have to agree with you there – the crockpot is totally underrated. I like using it in the winter to bring that homey comforting smell and a warm meal…and I like to use it in the summer to keep the excess heat out of the kitchen. And there are SO MANY things you can make in them! Your pulled pork looks amazing!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes)
June 9, 2016 at 9:45 amThese are seriously fantastic!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes)
June 9, 2016 at 9:47 amAlso I am going to try these. I love the use of the slow cooker.
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Rosa
August 30, 2011 at 9:55 amAbsolutely scrumptious! I am a big fan of pulled pork. It is something we can’t find here, so we only know the homemade version.
Cheers,
Rosa
Marsha @ The Harried Cook
August 25, 2011 at 11:04 pmSoo sorry about the bad Friday 🙁 Hope this Friday is better for you! 🙂 I bet the pulled pork made you feel better! I love pulled pork, and yours sounds really flavorful and delicious! Thanks for sharing, Maris!
Ali Grace
August 25, 2011 at 11:03 pmMade this today and LOVED it! Definitely a keeper. Delicious and easy…thanks so much, Maris!
katelin
August 23, 2011 at 6:34 pmi might have actually just drooled on my keyboard. this looks so delicious. must make soon!
5 Star Foodie
August 23, 2011 at 4:55 pmSo sorry about the bad Friday 🙁 The pulled pork sandwich looks awesome, very flavorful!
emily (a nutritionist eats)
August 23, 2011 at 3:18 pmI love crock pot meals – they are always SO satisfying! Cute party idea too!
Susan
August 23, 2011 at 1:17 pmI love pulled pork with coleslaw. I think that was a wonderful choice for a welcome to Chicago party!
marla
August 23, 2011 at 12:03 amSounds like a great way to welcome your friend to Chicago! Gotta find our crock pot.
Gina
August 22, 2011 at 11:01 pmMaris, a BF that makes killer crab cakes sounds like a keeper. Love pulled pork, I had the same fears the first couple of times too. Sounds like a great party. Hope you have a great week.
-Gina-
Elle @ We can begin to feed...
August 22, 2011 at 10:32 pmI cannot get over leaving my crock pot unattended either, so only use it when I am at home, and awake!
Love pulled pork. This looks great.
Hope you had fun a the party, too.
Anne @ Baking Me
August 22, 2011 at 10:05 pmYum! Looks so delicious, I can’t wait to pull out my crock pot and make these!
Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen
August 22, 2011 at 9:41 pmI love recipes where I can use my crock pot. It is too easy and almost feels like cheating! 🙂 These pulled pork sliders look delicious! 🙂
Shari @ The Daily Dish
August 22, 2011 at 9:05 pmPulled pork in the slow cooker is awesome! You can make a ton at once and have delicious food for days. 🙂
alyssa - fashion fitness foodie
August 22, 2011 at 8:53 pmpulled pork is the reason ill NEVER be vegetarian
Kay
August 22, 2011 at 8:52 pmYum! I love pulled pork!
Reeni
August 22, 2011 at 8:40 pmLeaving an appliance on all day scares me too! But the crock pot works wonders – especially on meat. These look wonderful!
bonnie at sweet life
August 22, 2011 at 8:33 pmglad you had a little party, a perfect way to give you a little boost.Dont’ worry great things will come!! I know it!! I love love love my crockpot, did I mention love? lol
It does freak me a little so I leave it on my island, with nothing beside it..lol
great recipe!
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit
August 22, 2011 at 8:27 pmSo sorry you had a lousy Friday- I hope this week goes better for you! I’m glad to know I’m not the only person leery of leaving a crock pot on all day while I’m gone! I know it’s silly, but it makes me nervous. I use it mostly on weekends when I’m home, which sort of defeats the purpose. Oh well. Those pulled pork sliders look delicious, and I’m sure the crab cakes won’t mind if you step out on them a few times with them. As long as you know where your heart truly lies. 🙂
natalie (the sweets life)
August 22, 2011 at 8:24 pmseriously just YESTERDAY my friend and i were saying we wanted to make pulled pork sliders! this recipe sounds like just the thing we needed! 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
August 22, 2011 at 7:33 pmMaris, you re such a trooper especially doing this after a hideous day! I’ve made a low fat pulled pork version in a pressure cooker and I really liked it 🙂
camille
August 22, 2011 at 7:30 pmMy husband is nervous about the leaving-a-crock-pot-plugged-in-while-we’re-out thing too. I… yeah, left to my own devices I would have no problem with it, but then again I’ve almost burned the place down more times than he has, so perhaps my judgement is not sound on this matter.
Love pulled pork. Love making it in the crockpot so I don’t have to be sad about not having a back yard or a deck or anywhere to put a smoker.
Liz
August 22, 2011 at 6:09 pmOh, this sounds fabulous! I can only imagine the glorious aroma while this is cooking…a true winner.
Blond Duck
August 22, 2011 at 5:54 pmWould this work for chicken?
Lisa from Lisas Yarns
August 22, 2011 at 5:22 pmYum! I love pulled pork. I had never had it until my brothers started competing in bbq competitions. They are masters at is. But I like this crockpot version. And i Love leftover pulled pork. It’s nice to freeze it and have somethign down the road if I don’t feel like cooking. Our family also really likes it in tacos!
amy @ fearless homemaker
August 22, 2011 at 4:07 pmlove love love pulled pork! this dish looks delicious + i liked your take on it, chicago-style!
Junia @ Mis Pensamientos
August 22, 2011 at 3:49 pmslow cooker pork is always a hit! they used to make this at all of our end of the year work functions! i love slowcookers!
Kate @ Kate from Scratch
August 22, 2011 at 3:22 pmThis looks delicious. My husband would be ALL over this recipe. Saved. Thanks!
Peachie
August 22, 2011 at 2:28 pmI just made this recently and loved it! But i will have to try out your recipe as it looks so good!
Caroline
August 22, 2011 at 2:08 pmCan you say yum!? Geez, these look amazing. Pulled pork sandwiches are the best.
Roz
August 22, 2011 at 1:55 pmThis sounds absolutely delicious. I LOVE our crock pot but never seem to use it much in the summer. Not sure why, because a pulled pork sandwich and slaw is pretty darn summery! Hope your week is a good one Maris!!!
Sarah (everydaysapicnic)
August 22, 2011 at 1:51 pmPork isn’t my favourite meat, but this looks delicious! Yum 🙂
Kelly
August 22, 2011 at 1:50 pmYum. I LOVE pulled pork. I hear you on leaving the crockpot home while gone. I’m always afraid that it’s going to burn the place down.
Lisa
August 22, 2011 at 1:46 pmI love pulled pork, especially with the ease of using a slow-cooker, and yours (as always with whatever you make) looks magnificent!
Bev Weidner
August 22, 2011 at 1:30 pmLAWD, this is right up my alley. My pulled pork slider alley.
y.u.m.
Juliana
August 22, 2011 at 1:19 pmMaris, you just reminded me that I should take a better use of my slow cooker…this pulled pork looks delicious, full of flavor.
Hope you have a wonderful week ahead 🙂
sportsglutton
August 22, 2011 at 12:40 pmIt’s hard to ever imagine a time when pulled pork isn’t good cooking. While I usually prefer mine from the grill and smoked, this recipe looks great. Cheers!
Nicole@HeatOvenTo350
August 22, 2011 at 11:32 amSlow cookers are just plain magical. This like a great dish for a welcome dinner.
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray
August 22, 2011 at 10:54 amPulled pork has to be one of the greatest things ever, and this recipe sounds like a winner. Hope you had a great weekend to make up for your cruddy Friday!
Mary
August 22, 2011 at 10:42 amThis really sounds delicious. We are a family of pulled pork fans and your version would be perfect for our table. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
August 22, 2011 at 9:55 amI can’t wait to try this one. I hope you had a good weekend
Courtney
August 22, 2011 at 9:40 amSorry you had a bad day! But these sandwiches had to’ve made it better, right? Hope your party went well!
Greg
August 22, 2011 at 9:14 amThis reminds me that I haven’t made pulled pork this summer. Thanks for the reminder. Great recipe too!
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
August 22, 2011 at 8:10 amFun! A Chicago party, how cute! And this pork looks amazing. I am going to bookmark this one for the school year! 🙂
T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types
August 22, 2011 at 7:54 amWell, it looks like the day turned out a lot brighter, and the crockpot did most of the work!
yummychunklet
August 22, 2011 at 7:45 amThis sounds delicious, and I love using my slow cooker. Great recipe!
Wendy
August 22, 2011 at 7:44 amGreat recipe! I love the barbecue sauce! Hope the party cheered you up.
Sue/the view from great island
August 22, 2011 at 7:26 amI have an unnatural love for my crock-pot, but I tend to stick to the same old stews and the occasional pot roast. I’m really glad to have this recipe, it looks delicious and sounds even easier than stew—yay!
Jennifer
August 22, 2011 at 7:21 amI used to be just fine with leaving the crockpot unattended during the work day. I never thought that leaving a very hot item plugged into the wall all day was a problem, until someone pointed out to me all the probable hazards. I defended myself with the claim that “everyone does it.” And…they do, right?! Because I want to make this! I really like the homemade bbq sauce!
polwig
August 22, 2011 at 7:09 amThis looks great, now I miss Chicago especially spicy giardineria from Bari Foods on Grand, their meats are pretty awesome too…. Thanks Maris now I need a Chicago road trip
Joanne
August 22, 2011 at 6:58 amWhen I ate meat, I only ever did pulled pork in the slow cooker and it is always such a crowd pleaser! My parents beg me to make it. Next time they do, I’ll have to make them this version!
Kitchen Belleicious
August 22, 2011 at 6:53 amAbsolutely divine! Love the simplicity of it but the amazing flavors as a result
bellini
August 22, 2011 at 6:31 amI love it when a delicious meal comes togther with very little effort. Yay for crocks.
Simply Life
August 22, 2011 at 6:12 amsounds like a great party! I get nervous about leaving the slow cooker on too but I’m always happy when I do it after getting home from work! 🙂
Geni
August 22, 2011 at 5:59 amThis is honestly my family’s favorite weeknight meal. Easy, economical and totally delish. Can’t wait to try your homemade BBQ sauce. I usually cheat and buy some.
Three-Cookies
August 22, 2011 at 3:00 amI have never tried the authentic American pulled pork, heard a lot about it and looking at the photo makes me drool!
Marina
August 22, 2011 at 2:46 amCrab cakes will never forgive you!! 🙂 But I understand why you did it!
Erica
August 22, 2011 at 2:30 amcrockpot pulled pork is one of my husbands favs! I actually made pulled beef yesterday. Your version lOoks delicious. Leaving the crockpot plugged in all day always freaks me out too
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
August 22, 2011 at 1:33 amHere’s a hug for your horrible Friday, Maris!
Pulled pork is one of my absolutely favorite things, especially in the crock pot! I’ll definitely be using this recipe now that school’s started and we’ll be having cross country meets and volleyball tournaments to attend. The crock pot makes life so much easier, that is if you remember to start it in time. 😉
kankana
August 22, 2011 at 1:00 amSlow cooking red meat is the most delicious way to enjoy these. And pulled pork is perfect on a burger ..my fav!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
August 22, 2011 at 12:54 amI wish I have a slow cooker but simply I don’t have because of space issue… I know it can make this kind of delicious food by just letting it cook alone. What a fantastic work night meal. Pulled pork in my house is totally weekend meal….