Boston butt made in a slow cooker or Crock-Pot will make the most delicious pulled pork.
Slow cooker pulled pork is the start of so many delicious, easy meals. Use my recipe for a dry rub and your choice of pork butt cut, Boston Butt (bone-in pork butt), boneless pork butt or pork shoulder to make these delicious easy crockpot pulled pork sandwiches.
Using your slow cooker or Crock-Pot to cook is an easy way to make delicious pulled pork without turning on your oven or stovetop. Slow cookers are a great kitchen tool to have in your kitchen appliance collection to make easy recipes such as crock-pot beef stroganoff, crock-pot ham and potato soup, slow cooker cilantro lime chicken and crock-pot lasagna.
What is a Boston Butt?
Bone-in pork butt, also known as a Boston butt, is the cut of the pig located in the upper part of the shoulder in front of the front leg. The Boston butt will contain a joint bone and often the shoulder blade. These bones will give additional flavor to the meat but will add to the total weight of the purchase.
Alternatively, a boneless pork butt can be used. There are no bones to work around and the price may be higher for this convenience. Everyone has their preference.
What you need to make Boston butt pulled pork:
- Boston butt, (bone-in pork shoulder)
- pulled pork rub – see recipe
- vinegar – or other flavorful liquid such as pineapple juice, apple cider, beer
Pulled Pork Rub Recipe:
- 1 Tablespoon Salt (kosher is best but table salt will do)
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
- 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 3/4 Teaspoons Onion Powder
- 3/4 Teaspoons Oregano
Combine everything together. Done.
How to make slow cooker pulled pork.
- In a screaming hot cast iron pan, sear the meat of the Boston butt, if you are choosing to sear.
- Place the pork butt in the crockpot, fat side down.
- Sprinkle the entire recipe of pulled pork rub over the pork.
- Pour 1 cup white vinegar into the bottom of the crockpot. Do your best not to wash off the rub.
- Place the lid on the crockpot.
- Set on low for 12-18 hours.
To sear or not to sear the pork butt?
As you know, I am a big advocate that color equals flavor especially when it comes to meat. By searing meat you are caramelizing the surface, giving it another layer of flavor to add to the pulled pork.
But if you do not have time to sear the pork in a screaming hot pan before transferring the meat to the slow cooker, your pulled pork will still be delicious. Just like salt enhances the taste of food, searing pork before cooking it will enhance the flavor of the pulled pork. But you are able to do without salt and you are able to do without searing.
How to sear a Boston Butt
- Heat a heavy bottom, wide open or cast iron pan to the point of smoking.
- Place the meat, joint side down, in the pan, allowing it to sear for 5 minutes.The pork should easily pull away from the pan when it is properly seared.
- Carefully turn the meat so that you sear all sides of the meat. No need to sear the fat side.
- Place the seared pork, fat side down in the crock-pot slow cooker. Cook as directed.
How long do you cook a Boston butt?
When cooking a Boston butt in a slow cooker for pulled pork allow a minimum of 8 hours and up to 12 hours for the meat to cook fully. The meat will fall apart easily in your hands when the you pull the pork.
How to pull a pork butt:
- Allow the pork to cool enough to handle.
- Pull sections of meat away from the bone and gently separate with your fingers.
- Remove any excess fat, if desired.
What do you do with the juices leftover in the slow cooker?
I just strain the pork drippings through a mesh strainer getting out the larger bits. Keep the juices in the refrigerator, allow the fat to congeal and remove it when it solidifies. I use the drippings to help add moisture and layers of additional flavor to the pulled pork when I heat it up for service.
How do you serve crockpot pulled pork?
I am a huge fan of a potato roll for my pulled pork sandwiches! If you have never had a potato roll with your sandwich, do yourself a favor and try one next time. Feel free to add your favorite BBQ sauce, vinegar or coleslaw to your sandwich.
Other great Slow Cooker recipes:
- Crockpot Chicken Corn Soup
- Crockpot Hashbrown, Sausage, Egg & Cheese Casserole
- Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Crockpot Granola Bars That Are Vegan and Gluten Free!
- Crockpot Lasagna
- 8 Tips for Slow Cooker Success
Boston Butt Pulled Pork
Ingredients
1 Pork shoulder, bone in
Pulled Pork Rub Recipe:
- 1 Tablespoon Salt kosher is best but table salt will do
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
- 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 3/4 Teaspoons Onion Powder
- 3/4 Teaspoons Oregano
- 1/4 cup vinegar
Instructions
- Place the pork butt in the crockpot, fat side down.
- Sprinkle the entire recipe of pulled pork rub over the pork.
- Pour 1/4 cup white vinegar into the bottom of the crock pot. Do your best not to wash off the rub.
- Place the lid on the crockpot.
- Set on low for 12-18 hours.
Notes
How to sear a Boston Butt
- Heat a heavy bottom, wide open or cast iron pan to the point of smoking.
- Place the meat, joint side down, in the pan, allowing it to sear for 5 minutes.The pork should easily pull away from the pan when it is properly seared.
- Carefully turn the meat so that you sear all sides of the meat. No need to sear the fat side.
- Place the seared pork, fat side down in the crock-pot slow cooker. Cook as directed.
Nutrition
Sarah Mock
CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger
Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 12 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.
published May 19, 2015
Sarah Mock says
Thanks Estelle! I hope you make this soon!
Sarah Mock says
I must say, it IS pretty amazing. ;)
Sarah Mock says
I hope you like it as much as I do!
MamaCheaps says
I’m definitely trying this!!
Sarah Donza-Hughes says
Oh that looks amazing!!
Estelle Sobel Erasmus says
Yum. This looks delicious. My hubby loves pork!