Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient BBQ Pulled Pork is the ultimate testament to the power of simplicity, a recipe that delivers astonishingly tender, flavorful, and satisfying results with minimal effort and just a handful of ingredients. This method revolves around the slow cooker’s magic, transforming a tough, inexpensive cut of pork shoulder into a succulent, fall-apart masterpiece through hours of gentle, low-heat cooking. The sliced onion forms a foundational “flavor pillow” that steams and caramelizes, infusing the pork with a subtle sweetness and preventing it from sticking, while a full bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce creates a rich, tangy, and deeply penetrating glaze. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeks, game day gatherings, or any time you need to feed a crowd without hovering over the stove, proving that you don’t need a long list of spices to create a truly memorable and delicious meal.
The true genius of this dish lies in its incredible versatility and foolproof nature. The long, slow cooking process renders the marbled fat within the pork shoulder, basting the meat from the inside out and ensuring every single strand is moist and incredibly easy to shred. Once cooked, the pork is shredded directly in the pot, allowing it to soak up every last drop of the concentrated, savory-sweet cooking liquid and softened onions. This creates a pulled pork that is perfectly sauced and ready to be served in countless ways. Whether piled high on soft buns for a classic sandwich, served over a bed of rice, stuffed into baked potatoes, or used as a topping for nachos, this pulled pork is a blank canvas for your culinary creativity. It’s a dependable, no-fuss recipe that consistently yields fantastic results, making it a cornerstone of easy, comfort-food cooking.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
• Unbelievably Simple: With only three core ingredients and five minutes of prep, this is the definition of easy, set-it-and-forget-it cooking.
• Foolproof and Forgiving: The slow cooker does all the work, tenderizing the pork perfectly without any risk of overcooking.
• Incredibly Versatile: The perfect base for sandwiches, tacos, rice bowls, salads, and more.
• Feeds a Crowd: This recipe makes a generous amount, ideal for parties, potlucks, or a week of easy meals.
Ingredients:
- 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (also called Boston butt)
- 1 medium onion (white, yellow, or sweet), thinly sliced
- 1 bottle (18 ounces) of your favorite BBQ sauce
- Soft buns, rice, or baked potatoes, for serving
Instructions:
Step 1: Create the Onion Base
• Scatter the thinly sliced onion evenly across the bottom of your slow cooker insert. This creates a natural rack that adds flavor and prevents the pork from burning on the bottom.
Step 2: Add the Pork
• Place the entire pork shoulder roast directly on top of the bed of onions. There is no need to trim the fat, as it will render and add incredible flavor and moisture. Season the outside of the pork lightly with salt and pepper if desired, though the BBQ sauce provides plenty of flavor.
Step 3: Apply the BBQ Sauce
• Pour the entire bottle of BBQ sauce directly over the pork shoulder, using a spoon or spatula to spread it evenly over the top and sides, ensuring the roast is fully covered.
Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection
• Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours. The pork is done when it is extremely tender and shreds easily with a fork.
Step 5: Shred and Combine
• Carefully remove the cooked pork shoulder from the slow cooker and place it on a large cutting board. Using two forks, shred the meat by pulling it apart. It should fall apart with very little effort.
• If there is a large layer of excess fat, you can discard it at this stage.
• Return all the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it into the remaining sauce and onions until thoroughly combined. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes on the “Warm” setting to absorb the flavors.
Step 6: Serve
• Serve the pulled pork warm, using a slotted spoon for serving if you prefer less sauce. Pile it onto soft buns, over a bed of rice, or with your favorite sides.
Tips:
• No Peeking: Resist the urge to lift the lid during the cooking process. Each time you do, you release a significant amount of heat and steam, which can increase the total cooking time.
• Customize the Flavor: Feel free to add other ingredients to the pot before cooking, such as a few minced garlic cloves, a teaspoon of smoked paprika, or a splash of apple cider vinegar for extra tang.
• Skim the Fat: For a leaner result, you can skim the excess fat from the surface of the sauce in the slow cooker after removing the pork but before adding the shredded meat back in.
• Crisp It Up: For added texture, spread the shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes until the edges are slightly caramelized and crispy.
Storage Options:
• Refrigerator: Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: This pork freezes exceptionally well. Portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers along with some of the sauce and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat gently in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems dry. The microwave also works well for single portions.
Slow Cooker 3-Ingredient BBQ Pulled Pork is the ultimate easy, versatile, and crowd-pleasing recipe that belongs in every home cook’s arsenal. Its simplicity is its greatest strength, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort. Enjoy
