Slow Cooker Indiana-Style Pulled Pork with Bourbon BBQ Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-03 · Updated 2026-07-03

Tender pulled pork slow-cooked with a smoky bourbon-infused barbecue sauce inspired by Midwestern comfort flavors. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes blends pounds pork shoulder, teaspoons smoked paprika, teaspoon garlic powder into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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 pounds pork shoulder
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, sliced yellow onion
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over the entire 3 pounds pork shoulder.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork shoulder and sear on all sides for 3-4 minutes per side until browned and caramelized.
3. Step 3: Transfer the pork shoulder to a slow cooker and add 1 medium sliced yellow onion around it.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup bourbon, 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes until smooth.
5. Step 5: Pour the bourbon BBQ sauce evenly over the pork shoulder and onions in the slow cooker.
6. Step 6: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the pork is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
7. Step 7: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to coat with the sauce. Serve hot.