To make pulled pork in a slow cooker, you typically use a pork shoulder or pork butt. These cuts are well-suited for slow cooking due to their marbling and connective tissues, which break down during the long cooking process, resulting in tender and flavorful pulled pork.
Pork shoulder and pork butt are different names for the same cut of meat. The shoulder is the top portion of the front leg, while the butt is the thicker, more marbled part closer to the pig's actual rear end. Despite the name "butt," it's not the actual rear of the pig; it's just the way the cut was historically referred to.
When you're at the store, look for pork shoulder or pork butt, which may also be labeled as "pork shoulder roast" or "Boston butt." They are usually available bone-in or boneless, and either option will work well for making delicious pulled pork in your slow cooker.