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Our slow cooker pork is juicy, sweet, spicy and smokey. Everything you want in a BBQ pork. Perfect for any time of year!
Slow Cooker Pork
Sweet & Spicy Brown Sugar Rubbed
*UPDATE* There is an issue with the recipe card updating to add a missing step- the BBQ sauce goes in the slow cooker after pulling and shredding. Serve or set slow cooker to “keep warm”.
This slow cooker pork recipe has everything you love about BBQ. It is a touch sweet, spicy, sticky and even smokey. Over the years I have mastered a pork rub and a process that creates the most juicy amazing pork ever. This rub is great on ribs, pork chops, boneless loin, shoulder and really any cut of pork you want to use.
Not a fan of pork? Or maybe you are just in the mood for chicken- try this amazing 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Sriracha Chicken!
The key to getting this pork just right is searing it prior to putting in the slow cooker. The sear locks in juices and creates a yummy crusty outer layer that will get caramelized and sticky during cooking.
Don’t forget your BBQ sauce coupon!
If you don’t have a slow cooker or prefer the oven method follow these instructions:
Preheat the oven to 450.
Rub pork shoulder with Olive oil and rub recipe.
Cook for 15 minutes uncovered. Flip. Cook an additional 15 minutes.
Reduce to 300, cover with foil and cook for 2 hours or until tender and falling apart.
Try this too! Kale Slaw , it makes a perfect side dish for this pork! Made with an amazing cole slaw dressing that tastes like KFC’s.
Slow Cooker Pork- Sweet & Spicy Brown Sugar
Our slow cooker pork is juicy, sweet, spicy and smokey. Everything you want in a BBQ pork. Perfect for any time of year!
Ingredients
- 1 3-4 lb pork shoulder
- 1 cup brown sugar light not packed
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Cayenne
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 tablespoon Sea Salt
- 1 tablespoon Pepper
- Olive oil
- Your favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels.
- Drizzle with Olive oil, rub with a liberal amount of pork rub mixture.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, drizzle with Olive oil.
- Sear each side of the shoulder for 2-3 minutes or until the meat gets a light char.
- NOTE* you may have heard not to cook with sugar based rubs and sauces because they burn. If you make sure not to over heat this will not happen. Instead you will get a nice crusty outer!
- Place shoulder in slow cooker on high for 30 minutes.
- Reduce to low for 5-6 hours or until tender and falling apart and internal temperature taken near the bone has reached at least 190 degrees.
- NOTE* pork does not pull or shred until it has been cooked slowly to a temperature of 195.
- Chop or shred.
- SERVE
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
I love slow cooker pork recipes and this is a must try! Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe at the Delicious Dishes Recipe Party!
Wendy says
Looks delicious! How much bbq sauce do you use? Thank you, can’t wait to try the recipe!
Melissa P-V says
A full 8oz bottle
Josh Fawcett says
Do you put all the sauce on before you sear it? Or do you add some more of the rub on after you’ve seared it?
Melissa P-V says
Hi Josh!
The pork gets some Olive oil and rub before searing. The sauce comes after the shoulder is done cooking. Here you go-
….Drizzle with Olive oil, rub with a liberal amount of pork rub mixture.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, drizzle with Olive oil.
Sear each side of the shoulder for 2-3 minutes or until the meat gets a light char….
Thank you!
Brett says
Do I add the BBQ sauce to the slow cooker?
Melissa P-V says
Hi Brett ! The BBQ sauce goes in the slow cooker after pulling and chopping the pork. I do apologize that the step was forgotten.
Enjoy! Melissa
Elena says
You can always go back and fix it. I read through the comments just to find that info. :/
Melissa P-V says
Hi Elena , actually the recipe card has been updated. You may be looking at a cached version of the page. I’m aware that posts can be “fixed” , Thank you. The post has been updated.