Slow Cooker Game Day Pulled Pork with Smoky Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Tender pulled pork infused with smoky spices, perfect for game day sandwiches or tacos. This American-inspired game-day 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 6, 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs, boneless pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the smoky rub.
2. Step 2: Rub the 3 lb boneless pork shoulder evenly with 1 tbsp olive oil, then coat thoroughly with the smoky spice mix.
3. Step 3: Place the seasoned pork shoulder into the slow cooker and pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup chicken broth around it.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the pork is fork-tender and easily shredded.
5. Step 5: Remove the pork from the slow cooker, shred with two forks, and mix with the cooking juices before serving on buns or tortillas.