Slow Cooker Primal 'Cue Pulled Pork

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-14 · Updated 2026-06-14

Tender pulled pork slow cooked with smoky spices, perfect for sandwiches or as a main dish. 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 400 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.

Ingredients

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

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to make a dry rub.
2. Step 2: Rub the 3 lbs pork shoulder evenly with the spice mix, pressing it into the meat.
3. Step 3: Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker. Pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup water around the pork.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the pork is very tender and pulls apart easily.
5. Step 5: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Stir in 1 cup barbecue sauce to the shredded meat.
6. Step 6: Serve warm on buns or with sides.