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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches are a comforting, flavorful, and effortless dish featuring tender, juicy pork slow-cooked to perfection in BBQ sauce. Perfect for easy meal prep, game day, or family dinners, these sandwiches combine smoky, savory, and tangy flavors with soft buns and customizable toppings.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 lbs pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 to 2 cups BBQ sauce, your favorite brand or homemade
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Soft sandwich buns or rolls, enough for serving

Optional Variations and Add-ons

  • Cayenne pepper, chipotle powder, or hot sauce (for spicy kick)
  • Honey, apple cider vinegar, or brown sugar (for sweetness)
  • Alternative BBQ sauces like mustard-based, Alabama white sauce, or tangy vinegar sauce
  • Jackfruit (as a vegetarian pork substitute)
  • Melted cheddar or pepper jack cheese
  • Coleslaw, pickles, jalapeños for garnishes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pork Shoulder: Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder, then generously season it with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. This dry rub forms the savory flavor base.
  2. Slow Cook the Pork: Place the seasoned pork shoulder into the slow cooker. Pour your chosen BBQ sauce over it. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the pork is extremely tender and shreds easily with a fork.
  3. Shred and Mix: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it finely. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker to soak in the remaining sauce for extra juiciness.
  4. Assemble the Sandwiches: Pile the tender pulled pork onto soft sandwich buns or rolls. Add optional toppings like coleslaw, pickles, extra BBQ sauce, or melted cheese for added flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use pork shoulder (pork butt) for optimal tenderness and shredding.
  • Apply a generous dry rub for deeper, layered flavor.
  • Let the cooked pork rest for 10 minutes before shredding to retain moisture.
  • Consider using a slow cooker liner to reduce cleanup and prevent sticking.
  • Prepare extra BBQ sauce if you prefer saucier sandwiches.
  • Toast buns lightly and add crunchy garnishes to prevent sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, slow cooker, BBQ, sandwiches, comfort food, easy recipe, game day food

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/slow-cooker-pulled-pork-sandwiches/