While you can certainly cook pork and BBQ sauce together in a slow cooker, there are a few things to consider to make sure you get the best results for pulled pork.
Cut of Pork: For pulled pork, it's best to use a pork shoulder or pork butt (also known as pork butt roast). These cuts have enough fat and connective tissue to break down during slow cooking, resulting in tender, juicy pulled pork.
Seasoning: Before adding BBQ sauce, it's a good idea to season the pork with some salt, pepper, garlic powder, and any other desired spices. This will enhance the flavor of the final dish.
Liquid: While BBQ sauce adds flavor, you'll need some liquid in the slow cooker to ensure the pork cooks properly. You can add a little water, broth, or apple juice to the slow cooker to help keep the pork moist during cooking.
Cooking Time: Cooking times can vary depending on the size and type of slow cooker, as well as the amount of pork you're cooking. Pork shoulder or butt typically takes 6-8 hours on low heat or 4-5 hours on high heat to become tender and easily pulled apart with forks.
BBQ Sauce: If you add the BBQ sauce too early in the cooking process, it can become too sweet or overly caramelized. It's best to add the sauce during the last hour of cooking or after the pork has been shredded. This allows the flavors to meld without overcooking the sauce.
Here's a basic outline of the steps:
- Season the pork with salt, pepper, and any desired spices.
- Place the seasoned pork in the slow cooker.
- Add a small amount of liquid (water, broth, or apple juice) to the slow cooker.
- Cook the pork on low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 4-5 hours until it's tender and easily shreddable.
- Once the pork is done, shred it using forks.
- Add BBQ sauce to the shredded pork either during the last hour of cooking or after shredding.
By following these steps, you'll end up with delicious and tender pulled pork with the flavors of BBQ sauce infused throughout. Enjoy!