These Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches are loaded with juicy flavour packed pulled pork smothered in a homemade BBQ Sauce, piled high onto buns and topped with coleslaw.
Give it to me! I’m a big fan of soft buns piled high with juicy fillings, from Sloppy Joes to big Pastrami sandwiches, and big juicy burgers!
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Steak Sandwich on Monday. Pulled pork today.
It seems like it’s sandwich week. No one told you? Don’t worry. No one told me either! 😂
Actually, I could have shuffled the posting schedule around. But I don’t want to. I’ve been busting to share this recipe for ages, and finally it’s here and I’m not holding it back any longer!!!
Get an eyeful of this….every meat lovers’ dream come true…juicy pulled pork smothered in homemade BBQ sauce.
Knees. Weak. Every. Single. Time.
This kind of food is all me. The “get stuck into it, get it all over your hands/mouth” type of food. The kind that’s all about gatherings, food that’s meant to be shared, food that’s meant to be eaten in informal settings.
And also food that tastes a million bucks and yet is so simple to make. This recipe is all about two things:
That pork. That pork, that pork. Generously seasoned with a flavour packed rub, cooked until super tender but not mushy. It only needs an hour of marinating time because there’s so much flavour infusion during the slow cooking. Either in the slow cooker or oven. But if you’re pressed for time, you can absolutely use a pressure cooker – works a treat!
The BBQ Sauce! Make it from scratch as I do, or use store bought and dress it up by mixing it with the pork juices. Either way, the addition of the pork juices really takes the sauce to the next level. My preference is to make the sauce separately using some, but not all, the pork juices. I’ve made a “self saucing” version before by putting all the BBQ Sauce ingredients in with the pork but found that the sauce tastes too porky.
A quick classic Coleslaw*, some golden buns, then lay it all out on the table and let everyone help themselves.
Party time! Australia Day, Super Bowl Sunday…or just any day!! – Nagi x
* In case you or your hips are anti-mayo, try this No Mayo Coleslaw (it’s very, very good!) or a creamy Yogurt Coleslaw dressing (also very, very good!)
More Burgers, Sliders and Sandwiches
Big, juicy Hamburgers
Steak Sandwich – super quick
Chicken Burger – juicy seasoned chicken breast steak with the lot!
Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken Burger – chicken marinated in a homemade flavour bomb Peri Peri sauce
Cubanos – The famous Cuban roast pork sandwich from The Chef movie
Pastrami Sandwiches – Rye bread piled high with homemade pastrami. EPIC!
Veggie Burger – Meatless made amazing. Puts those doughy bricks at the shops to shame!
Browse all Burgers and Sandwiches & Sliders recipes
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich recipe video!
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Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Ingredients
Rub
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp paprika powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 3/4 tsp mustard powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Pork
- 1.5 – 2.2 kg/ 3 – 4.5 lb pork shoulder or butt , skinless and boneless (Note 1)
- 3/4 cup apple cider or apple juice (Note 2)
- 1 quantity Coleslaw
- 6 – 8 bread rolls
BBQ Sauce (Note 5)
- 1 cup pork juices from slow cooker, once cooked
- 2 1/2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp each black pepper, onion (or garlic powder), mustard powder
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Mix together Rub then rub all over the pork. Optional: Marinate for 1 hour.
- Place in the slow cooker and pour over apple cider. Slow cook for 8 hours on low or pressure cook for 1 hr 30 minutes on high. (Note 3)
- Remove pork from liquid into a roasting pan. Reserve liquid.
- OPTIONAL: Roast pork for 20 – 30 minutes at 180C/350F until browned (Note 4). Meanwhile, make BBQ Sauce.
- Shred pork with forks – it should be fall apart tender (see video).
- Toss in BBQ sauce – use as much as you like, the recipe makes enough to coat the pork well but not dripping in sauce, plus a bit extra on the side.
- To make Pulled Pork Sandwiches, pile pork on warmed rolls and top with Coleslaw. I like to lay everything out for people to make their own.
BBQ Sauce
- Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat and whisk. Bring to simmer, then turn down the heat so it simmers gently. Cook for 1 hour. Remove from stove and use per recipe.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
You can just imagine what’s going through his head as he gazes at a mammoth pile of pulled pork….
Hi Nagi, would this be nice as just a side rather than on buns?
Yes definitely Allie!!
Hi Nagi,
Any suggestions on what cut of beef would be good for this recipe?
Hi Hania, chuck or brisket (or gravy or any other slow cooking beef) – N x
Delicous! Increased heat to medium for two hours after 6 hours and then cooked one final hour on low. The pulled pork sucked up sauce big time so I’ll either make more or hold back a small amount to pour over the top when serving. Another great Nagi recipe!!!
Thanks so much, I’m so happy you loved it!
Nagi,
This was sensational! In fact, it was so delicious that it has now replaced the way I cooked pulled pork for 20 years. My ultra picky husband even loves it. Thanks so much.
Woah, what a compliment Karen ❤️
Ultra Yum! made this using pear juice instead of apple cider. Didn’t make the bbq sauce as I used the meat to make Banh Mi!!! Seriously delicious and now a new family favourite. Thanks Nagi for your great recipes
Perfect Liz, that would have been amazing on Banh Mi!!!!
Hi Nagi, I was wondering what type of slow cooker did you use for this recipe?
Hi! This is a Breville fast slow cooker – it’s a multifunction device. N x
Sorry to bother you but is there a link to where I can buy it? I looked everywhere and couldn’t find it!
This is the model: https://www.myer.com.au/p/breville-the-fast-slow-cooker-bpr650bss?istCompanyId=84873db0-394f-434b-8958-29526fe5f03c&istFeedId=3dd6959f-3482-45a5-8a47-313fef9bbe16&istItemId=waqlmqmpp&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAjwkenqBRBgEiwA-bZVtsds3nuQVC-FTThvHthava7qlv6pw3Oc7j-Bc3Tr70U_8NGpcox3cxoCF6AQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Are all your slow cooker recipes using this model/brand? If so I’ll buy one lol
Hi Nagi, This was absolutely delicious! Thank you for another yummy recipe. My husband is the only one who eats the sauce so we have so much left over. Can the BBQ sauce be kept seperate in the fridge for another day and if so how long can I keep it for?
Hi Kerry, you could keep it in the fridge for a week or so – alternatively it should be ok to freeze – N x
Hi Nagi, I purchased bone in pork shoulder instead of boneless. Does this change how I should use this recipe? Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes.
Hi Kate, you may need to cook longer – just cook it until it’s fall apart tender and shreddable ❤️
Made this for a pot luck. It was a it and had plenty of left overs.
I’m so glad it was a hit Vicky!
So after trying numerous pulled pork recipes I can honestly say that this is the best by a mile! Thank you very much for it. I partner loved it, but main thing I loved it. I’m very critical of my cooking and normally I’m not a fan of things I make even when everyone else raves about it. But this time I honestly loved it! Thank you again ❤
Woah what a great compliment, I’m so happy you loved it!
I just deleted all my pulled pork recipes as this is a keeper and I won’t need or make any other ones 😊
Totally read the recipe wrong and cooked the roast in apple cider vinegar! So in my sauce I didn’t add any apple cider vinegar and it came out great!
Another great recipe! I did make one change and that was to not marinate the meat prior to cooking. However, I did cut the meat into approximately 3” chunks before cooking and putting it in the crockpot. I used hard cider as I had a bottle in the refrigerator and did add the entire bottle. You could definitely tell as it tasted as if it had been marinated, but wasn’t noticeable with the BBQ sauce. The smaller pieces also allowed me to shorten the cooking time to between 5-6 hours and it shredded easily. We have enough for 2 nights of sandwiches and froze the remainder into 2 separate packages for later use. I had 4 hopeful dogs watching me carefully in case I wanted their opinion or on the chance I would drop it on the floor!
If I want to serve about 15 adults and 5 kids (average age is 4), how many pounds of meat would you recommend using?
And how to I scale up the apple cider vinegar-if I double your recipe do I just double the liquid?
Thank you!
Hi Sarah! Just use the recipe scaler – click on the servings and slide!
“Marinade/rub” video doesn’t include mustard powder, Written recipe does.
Do I use mustard powder as part of the rub?
Love all your recipes. Best ever!
Oops if I forgot it in video 🙂 Please follow written recipe! N x
Thank you!
I needed a recipe to make pulled pork for my American Legion Post. I wasn’t sure just how well this would work, but I did place a great deal of faith in the comments that other reviewers left. Now, having made the pulled pork in my instant pot, I think that it not only tastes great, but it looks super. The real test will be tomorrow night when my fellow members will have it for dinner. But, I think there’s no doubt they will really like it, and you will receive even more rave reviews for your recipe. Thanks ever so much for this great recipe.
🙌🏻 🙌🏻 LOVE hearing that! Thanks for letting me know Dick! N x
Ohhhh myyyy GOD! I’ve just waited an entire day to taste the most delicious, heavenly meat I’ve ever eaten!! Didn’t I mention that BBQ sauce?! Didn’t have time to make the coleslaw but it shop stuff did the trick tonight. I will def be making this again!! I always enjoy among your recipes as I k is I can never go wrong. P.S I made this with chuck beef !!
That’s great to hear Ana!! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it! N x
Hi Nagi,
I am a huge fan of all your recipes. Everyone I’ve made has always turned out perfectly!
I’ve got myself confused with the BBQ sauce. It is onion or garlic powder but has mustard powder and black pepper in there?
Many thanks Janna
HI Janna! So glad you like my recipes! 🙂 Fixed – it’s onion powder – OR sub with garlic powder. PLUS mustard and black pepper! N x
The sauce recipe says apple cider vinegar. Safe to assume it should be the cider or juice? I actually put some of both in and it is perfect!
Thanks.
Hi Joan! Cider and juice are both difference from cider vinegar. 🙂 Cider vinegar is a sour vinegar! 🙂 N xx
EXCELLENT, Nagi! Now I have a go-to pulled pork recipe! I appreciate the pressure cooker cooking time, since I just bought an off brand “Instapot” that gives me limited info on cooking times. I used Kings Hawaiian Rolls instead of hamburger buns, after seeing your pics, which was spot on for the pork and was so good together.
Thanks for all you do!
So glad you enjoyed this Anne! N xx
Delicious! Another hit, I am always skeptical using the pressure cooker because from past experience it makes the meat have a very strange texture. I had left the pork to marinate in the rub overnight at least 12 hours but wanted my husband to take it to work for his dinner (shift work). I did it in the pressure cooker and sampled some of the meat after browning it in the oven and it is tender and moist and not that weird texture!
I also have s mpled the bbq sauce and it has a delicious tang to it. This bbq pork is making me crave the corn casserole recipe to go with it. Mmm..
Thank you Nagi!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Chantelle! Thanks for letting me know – N x