Recipes

Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork

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Are you ready for a taste of Texas in your own kitchen? Slow cooker Texas pulled pork is a meal that brings big flavors with little effort. This recipe makes tender, smoky, and tangy pork that’s perfect for piling high on soft buns.

You’ll love how easy it is to make. Just mix up a flavorful sauce, add the pork to your slow cooker, and let it cook low and slow. In a few hours, you’ll have mouthwatering pulled pork that’s ready to serve. It’s great for family dinners or feeding a crowd at your next gathering.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this yummy Texas pulled pork:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 (4 pound) pork shoulder roast
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 extra-large onion, chopped
  • 2 large cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 8 hamburger buns, split
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Make sure you have all these items before you start cooking. The pork shoulder is the star of the show, so pick a good one!

For the sauce, you can use your favorite barbecue sauce. The mix of vinegar, broth, and spices will give it a real Texas kick.

Don’t forget the buns and butter for serving. You’ll want to toast them up nice and golden.

Instructions

Pour oil in your slow cooker. Place the pork roast in and turn to coat it.

Mix in BBQ sauce, vinegar, and broth. Stir well around the meat.

Add brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, onion, garlic, and thyme. Mix with the sauce and turn the pork to coat it.

Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 10-12 hours.

Check if the pork is done. It should shred easily with a fork. Take it out and shred it using two forks.

Put the meat back in the slow cooker. Stir it into the juices. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes to soak up flavors.

Butter the buns and toast them in a skillet until golden brown.

Pile the pulled pork onto the buns. You can add coleslaw if you like.

Enjoy your tasty Texas-style pulled pork sandwiches!

Possible Substitutes List

Can’t find all the ingredients? No worries! You can still make this tasty pulled pork with some easy swaps.

For the meat:

  • Pork loin or pork tenderloin (cook for less time)
  • Beef chuck roast (for a beef version)
  • Chicken thighs (for a lighter option)

Sauce swaps:

  • Use your favorite BBQ sauce brand
  • Mix ketchup and brown sugar for a quick sauce
  • Try a spicy sauce for extra kick

Vinegar options:

  • White vinegar
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Lemon juice

No chicken broth? Try:

  • Beef broth
  • Vegetable broth
  • Water with a bouillon cube

Sweetener choices:

  • White sugar
  • Honey
  • Maple syrup

Spice it up:

  • Smoked paprika instead of chili powder
  • Dried oregano for thyme
  • Garlic powder if you’re out of fresh

Bun alternatives:

  • Slider buns for mini sandwiches
  • Tortillas for pulled pork tacos
  • Lettuce wraps for a low-carb option

These swaps let you make the recipe your own. Feel free to mix and match based on what’s in your kitchen!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make this pulled pork recipe better for people with diabetes, you can make a few easy changes. Try these tips:

Skip the brown sugar to cut down on carbs. The BBQ sauce will still give plenty of flavor.

Use a sugar-free BBQ sauce instead of regular. This lowers the sugar content a lot.

Pick whole wheat buns instead of white ones. They have more fiber and fewer carbs.

Serve smaller portions. Use 3 oz of meat per sandwich instead of piling it high.

Add extra veggies like sliced tomatoes or a side salad. This gives more nutrients without many carbs.

Try these swaps in the recipe:

  • Sugar-free BBQ sauce: 1 cup
  • No brown sugar
  • Whole wheat buns: 8 split

The cooking steps stay the same. You’ll still get yummy pulled pork, just with less sugar and carbs.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Use a meat thermometer to check if your pork is done. It should reach at least 195°F (90°C) for easy shredding.

For extra flavor, rub the pork with spices before cooking. Mix salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder for a quick rub.

Don’t lift the slow cooker lid while cooking. This lets heat escape and can add up to 30 minutes to your cooking time.

Make your pulled pork ahead of time. The flavors get even better after a day in the fridge.

To store leftovers, put the cooled pork in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

You can freeze pulled pork for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

To reheat, put the pork in a covered dish with a bit of liquid. Warm it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 20 minutes.

Try different BBQ sauces to change up the flavor. You can even make your own sauce for a personal touch.

For a crispy topping, spread some pulled pork on a baking sheet. Broil it for a few minutes until the edges get crispy.

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