Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork (Instant Pot BBQ Pork) is a simple, flavorful recipe that uses only four main ingredients. A bone-in pork butt slow-cooked in root beer becomes tender and juicy, with a mildly sweet, smoky profile when combined with a dry rub and optional liquid smoke. It’s a family favorite, makes great leftovers, and freezes well for future meals. This dish is also keto and low-carb friendly.
Why You Will Love Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Perfect for Everyone
BBQ pulled pork is a crowd-pleaser. The recipe is flexible — use your favorite store-bought or homemade dry rub and barbecue sauce to suit your family’s taste. A simple homemade dry rub works wonderfully on pork and is easy to make ahead and store.
Why This Recipe Works
This version stands out because it’s easy and reliable. With just a few minutes of prep and a long, slow cook, you get moist, shreddable pork that soaks up the flavor of the root beer and seasoning.
Slow Cooker or Instant Pot
You can make this in a slow cooker for a hands-off approach or in an Instant Pot when you need the pork faster. Both methods deliver tender, pull-apart meat.
Fast Prep
The prep takes under five minutes: coat the roast, pour in the root beer, and set your cooker. The slow cooker does the rest while you go about your day.
Keto and Low Carb Friendly
This recipe works well for low-carb and keto diets when you choose a sugar-free root beer and a low- or no-sugar barbecue sauce. Nutritional estimates below were calculated using sugar-free root beer and a basic dry rub.
Fat: 16.9 g | Net carbs: 1.6 g | Protein: 30.9 g
What to Serve With BBQ Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is versatile. Serve it in any of these ways:
- On a chaffle topped with dill-pickle slaw
- Over a grilled portobello mushroom with slaw
- On its own alongside a layered salad
- On a bun with coleslaw (for non-low-carb diners)
Popular pairings include a dill-pickle slaw and a layered salad, which both complement the pork’s sweet-smoky flavors.
How to Pull Pulled Pork
Pulling pork is simple once the roast is tender. Remove any large pieces of fat, then use two forks or meat claws to shred the meat into bite-sized strands.
Best Cut for Pulled Pork
Bone-in pork butt (Boston butt) is ideal. It has enough fat and connective tissue to stay moist and become tender during a long, slow cook.
What You’ll Need
Tools
- Slow cooker or Instant Pot
- Two large forks or meat shredding claws
Ingredients
- 5-pound bone-in pork Boston butt roast
- 1 can (or 12 oz) root beer — sugar-free or regular
- 1/2 cup favorite dry rub
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (adjust to taste)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon liquid smoke for extra smokiness
How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
1. Spray the crockpot with nonstick spray or coat with a little oil. Place the roast in the crockpot, fat side up if present.
2. Pour one can of root beer over the roast.
3. Sprinkle the dry rub over the pork. Add liquid smoke if using.
4. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, until the pork pulls apart easily. Remove the roast, trim away any large pieces of fat, and shred with forks or claws. Stir in barbecue sauce to taste.
Serve over chaffles, grilled portobello mushrooms, a bun, or on a salad. Top with slaw if desired.
How to Make Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork
1. Place the roast on a rack inside the Instant Pot. Add the root beer and sprinkle the dry rub over the meat. Add liquid smoke if desired.
2. Secure the lid and cook on High pressure for 22 minutes per pound. When the cook cycle is finished, allow natural pressure release. Remove the roast, trim excess fat, shred with forks or claws, and mix in barbecue sauce to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
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📖 The recipe
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 5 pound bone-in pork Boston butt roast
- ½ cup favorite dry rub
- 1 can root beer (sugar-free or regular)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- Optional: 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
Instructions
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Spray the crockpot with cooking spray or lightly oil it. Place roast in the crockpot, fat side up. Pour the root beer over the roast and sprinkle with the dry rub. Add liquid smoke if using.
- Cook on low for 8–10 hours, until the meat pulls apart easily. Remove any large pieces of fat, then shred the pork with forks or claws.
- Mix in barbecue sauce to taste and serve.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Place the roast on a rack in the Instant Pot. Add root beer, sprinkle with the dry rub, and add liquid smoke if desired. Secure the lid and pressure cook on High for 22 minutes per pound.
- Allow natural release when the cycle completes. Remove the roast, trim excess fat, shred, and stir in barbecue sauce. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Kori’s Tips
Make a batch of dry rub to keep on hand — it stores well in an airtight container and is excellent on pork and other meats.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 292 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.9 g | Protein: 30.9 g | Fat: 16.9 g | Cholesterol: 87.7 mg | Sodium: 140 mg | Fiber: 0.3 g | Sugar: 0.1 g
© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love
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- Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce
- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff (Keto Beef Stroganoff)
- Tender Slow Cooker Tuscan Turkey Breast
- Easy Tomato and Basil Soup
This easy slow cooker pulled pork makes moist, tender meat with minimal effort. Whether you serve it over chaffles, on a grilled portobello, or on a bun, it’s a delicious, family-friendly meal that’s simple to prepare and easy to customize.