Slow-Cooked BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-10 · Updated 2026-06-10

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Slow-cooked pulled pork smothered in smoky barbecue sauce and piled high on soft buns for a satisfying handheld meal. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 8 American cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 lbs, boneless pork shoulder
2 tbsp smoked paprika
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup barbecue sauce
8 hamburger buns
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup water

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Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create a dry rub.
Step 2: Rub the 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder evenly all over with the spice mixture. Place pork in a slow cooker.
Step 3: Pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup water into the slow cooker around the pork.
Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, until the pork is tender and easily shredded with forks.
Step 5: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred using two forks. Discard any large pieces of fat.
Step 6: Return shredded pork to slow cooker, stir in 1 cup barbecue sauce, and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes to meld flavors.
Step 7: Toast 8 hamburger buns lightly. Pile generous portions of the barbecue pulled pork onto the buns and serve with your favorite sides for a hearty meal.