Crockpot pork shoulder is one of the easiest and most flavorful meals you can make with minimal effort. As I have said in many prior posts, the slow cooker is my best friend. My Crockpot’s name is Gerty, and she’s a humble and kind old soul. (Please tell me that you also name your most beloved appliances?) She makes me look good.
Gerty slaves for hours, cooks the meat tender and juicy every time, and even makes the house smell like a 5-star restaurant. She does all the hard work, and I get all the credit!
This recipe for Crockpot pork shoulder is one of Gerty’s most perfected meats. The meat is bursting with flavor and falls apart in your mouth. My most favorite way to eat it is inside of a brioche bun topped with coleslaw!
Making the Crockpot pork shoulder Marinade
I use a simple marinade for my pulled pork sandwiches that infuses tons of flavor! Just use a whisk to mix up the following ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (I use my own homemade BBQ sauce recipe)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Not only is this marinade great on Crockpot pork shoulder (also known as pork butt roast), but it tastes great on beef too!
How to Slow Cook Crockpot Pork Shoulder
Then all you have to do is pour the marinade over a 3-4 pound pork shoulder butt that is nestled tightly inside your Crockpot. I like to squeeze a little marinade underneath the roast so that I know all sides of the meat will be cooked in the yummy spices.
If you’re not a pork fan, try this recipe with a chuck roast instead!
Step 1: Prep the Meat
Place your Crockpot pork shoulder inside the slow cooker and pour the marinade over it.
Step 2: Pour Marinade Evenly
Make sure to squeeze some marinade underneath for even seasoning.
Step 3: Cook Long and Slow
Then simply close the lid and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or LOW for 8-10 hours. When the Crockpot Pork Shoulder is done cooking, it should easily fall apart.
Step 4: Shred and Mix
When done, use forks to shred the meat and mix it into the juices.
How to Make Pulled Pork Sandwiches
The hardest part of this Crockpot pork shoulder recipe is waiting for it to cook. The amazing smell permeates the house and will beckon you to the kitchen to try it. When I make this recipe, about 1/4 of it is gone before dinner with all the “taste testers” I have in my house!
Most nights, we eat this Crockpot pork shoulder as is, but other nights, we put it on potato rolls or brioche buns and serve it with sweet apple celery coleslaw. And if I’m feeling REALLY crazy, I put my coleslaw inside my pulled pork sandwich!
At heart, I am a no-fuss cook. I like things to be simple but delicious. This recipe meets all those requirements with the added ease of the slow cooker doing all the work. It makes amazing leftovers, too!
If this recipe has your mouth watering, you’re in for a treat! Don’t miss these crowd-pleasers: easy 3-ingredient Crockpot chicken drumsticks, fall-off-the-bone Crockpot baby-back ribs with homemade rub, and a rich, savory 4-ingredient slow cooked tomato roast.
