Every family gathering finds its highlight with my Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe. I season pork shoulder with garlic, thyme, and rosemary, then slow-cook it until tender, ensuring every bite is infused with tangy zest. Bold flavors mingle perfectly, sparking smiles and conversation among friends and loved ones.
I recently discovered how easy it is to make this Crock Pot Pulled Pork and I gotta say, its garlic herb rub really kicks things up a notch. I start with a few big pieces of pork shoulder, about 3 to 4 lbs, and then coat them with minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, black pepper and paprika.
I drizzle in a bit of olive oil, add some chicken broth, and finish off with apple cider vinegar which gives it that tangy twist that makes you think of those classic pulled pork recipes inspired by ones like Dr Pepper Pulled Pork or Carolina Pulled Pork Slow Cooker styles. It’s super simple and the pork ends up so fall apart tender that it practically pulls itself apart in the crock pot.
Every step makes me appreciate the convenience of slow cooking without sacrificing incredible flavor. I can’t wait for you to try it and see how it quickly becomes a favorite in your dinner rotation.
Why I Like this Recipe
I really love this recipe because it’s super easy to make. I just throw everything into my crock pot and come back to tender, juicy pork that practically falls apart.
I like how the garlic, thyme, rosemary and spices give the meat this amazing flavor that makes every bite worth it. The pork is so flavorful it almost tastes like a homemade barbecue each time I eat it.
Another reason is that the recipe fills up my whole kitchen with an incredible smell that makes me excited for dinner, even if i had a stressful day.
Lastly, I love that i can use the pork in different ways like on a bun or with another side dish. It gives me lots of options to mix it up and keep my meals interesting.
Ingredients
- Pork shoulder offers loads of protein and natural fat that makes every bite juicy and flavorful.
- Garlic brings a punch of flavor and extra health benefits while boosting the overall taste.
- Dried thyme gives a mild earthy taste that pairs well with the richness of the pork.
- Dried rosemary has a strong pine-like aroma to enhance the meaty flavors of the dish.
- Olive oil is a healthy fat that helps mix the spices well and keeps the pork moist.
- Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy, sweet, and sour note to brighten up the recipe.
Ingredient Quantities
- 3 to 4 lbs pork shoulder (cut into a few big pieces)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced roughly
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp salt (or more to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
How to Make this
1. In a small bowl, mix the garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper and paprika together.
2. Rub this mix all over the pork shoulder pieces so every bit is coated well.
3. Heat the olive oil in a big pan over medium heat and sear the pork on each side till its nicely browned.
4. Once browned, transfer the pork to your crock pot.
5. Pour the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar over the pork in the crock pot.
6. Cover the crock pot and set it on low for about 8 hours till the pork is so tender it falls apart easily.
7. After it’s done, take the pork out and shred it using two forks.
8. Return the shredded pork into the crock pot and mix it with the juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
9. Let it sit for a few minutes so all the flavors can blend together.
10. Serve warm on buns or your favorite side dish and enjoy your delicious pulled pork!
Equipment Needed
1. A small bowl for mixing your garlic and spices
2. A cutting board
3. A sharp knife to mince garlic and trim meat if needed
4. Measuring spoons and a measuring cup to get your thyme, rosemary, salt, paprika, chicken broth, and vinegar at the right amounts
5. A large pan for searing the pork pieces
6. A crock pot to slow cook the pork
7. Two forks to shred the pork once it’s done cooking
FAQ
Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- For pork shoulder, you can use pork butt or even turkey thigh if you are looking for a leaner option
- If you dont have dried thyme, oregano or marjoram will work pretty well
- Instead of fresh garlic, you can use a little garlic powder or even minced shallots
- If chicken broth is not available, vegetable broth or water with extra seasonings is a good alternative
- You can swap apple cider vinegar with white vinegar or even a bit of lemon juice to add some tang
Pro Tips
1. When you sear the pork in the pan, make sure you dont overcrowd it so every piece gets a good browning. If needed, do it in small batches to get that extra crust.
2. After searing, scrape up all those tasty brown bits left in the pan with a splash of broth or vinegar. Those bits are like hidden flavor boosters that really amp up the taste of the meat.
3. Once the pork is tender and shredded, let it sit in the crock pot for a few extra minutes. This gives it a chance to soak up even more of the cooking juices and be extra moist.
4. Always taste before serving and adjust your seasonings if you need to. A little extra salt or pepper at the end can sometimes make all the difference.
Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
Every family gathering finds its highlight with my Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe. I season pork shoulder with garlic, thyme, and rosemary, then slow-cook it until tender, ensuring every bite is infused with tangy zest. Bold flavors mingle perfectly, sparking smiles and conversation among friends and loved ones.
6
servings
400
kcal
Equipment: 1. A small bowl for mixing your garlic and spices
2. A cutting board
3. A sharp knife to mince garlic and trim meat if needed
4. Measuring spoons and a measuring cup to get your thyme, rosemary, salt, paprika, chicken broth, and vinegar at the right amounts
5. A large pan for searing the pork pieces
6. A crock pot to slow cook the pork
7. Two forks to shred the pork once it’s done cooking
Ingredients
-
3 to 4 lbs pork shoulder (cut into a few big pieces)
-
4 cloves garlic, minced roughly
-
1 tbsp dried thyme
-
1 tbsp dried rosemary
-
1 tsp salt (or more to taste)
-
1/2 tsp black pepper
-
1 tsp paprika
-
2 tbsp olive oil
-
1/2 cup chicken broth
-
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Directions
- In a small bowl, mix the garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper and paprika together.
- Rub this mix all over the pork shoulder pieces so every bit is coated well.
- Heat the olive oil in a big pan over medium heat and sear the pork on each side till its nicely browned.
- Once browned, transfer the pork to your crock pot.
- Pour the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar over the pork in the crock pot.
- Cover the crock pot and set it on low for about 8 hours till the pork is so tender it falls apart easily.
- After it's done, take the pork out and shred it using two forks.
- Return the shredded pork into the crock pot and mix it with the juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Let it sit for a few minutes so all the flavors can blend together.
- Serve warm on buns or your favorite side dish and enjoy your delicious pulled pork!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 250g
- Total number of serves: 6
- Calories: 400kcal
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Polyunsaturated: 2.5g
- Monounsaturated: 16g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sodium: 600mg
- Potassium: 500mg
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Vitamin A: 30IU
- Vitamin C: 5mg
- Calcium: 20mg
- Iron: 1mg
