This is the best pulled pork recipe for the oven or slow cooker. Seasoned with a delicious pulled pork rub before it is cooked, enjoy it with or without BBQ sauce drizzled over the top.
PREP TIME 5 minutesminutes
COOK TIME 5 hourshours
TOTAL TIME 5 hourshours5 minutesminutes
YIELD 10servings
Ingredients
1 (5-7)poundpork shoulderbone-in is a great choice but boneless would work too
1onion
1/2cupbrown sugar
3tablespoonsolive oil
2tablespoonswhite wine vinegar
1tablespoonminced garlic
1tablespoonkosher salt
2teaspoonsfresh ground pepper
2teaspoonsground cumin
1teaspoondried oregano
Instructions
Prepare the Pork Rub
Cut the onion into quarters and add it to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the brown sugar, olive oil, white wine vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, and oregano to the bowl. Pulse until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
Place the pork on a clean plate or baking sheet. Pat it dry with paper towels. Pour the spice rub over the pork and work it all over the surface of the roast.
Pulled Pork in the Oven
Preheat the oven to 300°F.
Place the prepared pork roast in a dutch oven and add 2 cups of water. Don't pour the water over the pork or it will rinse the seasonings off, just drizzle it along the side of the pork.
Place the lid on the dutch oven and roast for 6 - 7 hours. Turn the pork over once every hour to ensure it cooks evenly.
Once the pork is fork-tender, remove the lid and increase the oven to 425°F. Cook for an additional 20 minutes to get nice crispy edges.
Let the pork rest for 15 minutes before shredding with forks.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Place the prepared pork roast in the bowl of a slow cooker. Drizzle 1 cup of water into the bottom of the pot, being careful not to rinse the spices off the roast itself.
Cook on LOW heat for 9 - 10 hours or on HIGH for 6 - 7 hours or until the roast is fork tender.
Let the pork rest 15 minutes before shredding with forks.
Recipe Notes
Make Ahead Freezing Tips
Pulled pork is a great make-ahead meal. If you want to prepare it in advance, shred the pork and let it cool completely before you store it in an airtight container in the freezer. A disposable aluminum pan is a great way to store the shredded pork and makes reheating it very easy.
How to Reheat Pulled Pork
Let the frozen pork thaw in the fridge overnight. Add 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup chicken stock to the pan, cover with aluminum foil, and bake at 250°F until the pork is warmed through.