Print

Tender Brown Sugar Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork Slow Cooker Recipe Easy and Perfect for Meal Prep

brown sugar bourbon BBQ pulled pork - featured image
Print Recipe

This tender brown sugar bourbon BBQ pulled pork slow cooker recipe is incredibly easy and perfect for meal prep, delivering a smoky, sweet, and utterly comforting meal with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–5 pounds pork shoulder (also called pork butt), well-marbled
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (100 grams)
  • 1/4 cup bourbon (60 ml)
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (240 ml), smoky and slightly tangy recommended
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground if possible
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat if desired, leaving some for flavor and moisture.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix well.
  3. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, pressing it in thoroughly.
  4. Optional: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of oil and sear the pork on all sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  5. Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker. Pour bourbon, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar over the top.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours, or until the pork is tender and falls apart easily. Alternatively, cook on high for 4-5 hours if short on time.
  7. Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks, discarding large chunks of fat.
  8. Stir the shredded pork back into the slow cooker juices and sauce to coat well. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

For juicier pork, save some cooking liquid before shredding. To thicken sauce, simmer liquid separately while shredding. If no slow cooker, use a Dutch oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3-4 hours. Adjust seasoning after cooking to taste. For gluten-free, verify BBQ sauce and bourbon labels. Optional browning adds depth but can be skipped.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, slow cooker, BBQ, bourbon, brown sugar, meal prep, easy recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/tender-brown-sugar-bourbon-bbq-pulled-pork-slow-cooker-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-meal-prep/