Imagine succulent, slow-cooked pork infused with the sweet and aromatic flavors of root beer, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s hard to resist. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to put together, thanks to the magic of a slow cooker. Simply set it and forget it, allowing the tender pork to soak up all the delightful root beer goodness. No better meal!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours on low heat or 4-6 hours on high heat
- Total Time: 4-10 hours depending on heat settings
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 3–4 pounds boneless pork shoulder or pork butt
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 cups root beer (choose your favorite brand)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (choose your preferred flavor)
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Hamburger buns or slider rolls, for serving
- Coleslaw, for topping (optional)
- Extra BBQ sauce, for serving
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, place the sliced onions at the bottom to create a flavorful bed for the pork.
- Place the pork shoulder on top of the onions.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the root beer, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the root beer mixture over the pork shoulder, ensuring it’s well-coated on all sides.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high heat for 4-6 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and easy to shred.
- Once the pork is fully cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
- Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it in the sauce to absorb all the flavors.
- Serve the delicious root beer pulled pork on hamburger buns or slider rolls, topped with coleslaw for an extra crunch.
Notes
Opt for boneless pork shoulder or pork butt for the best results. These cuts are marbled with fat, which keeps the pulled pork moist and tender during slow cooking. Feel free to experiment with different barbecue sauce flavors to find the one that suits your taste buds best. You can try sweet and smoky, spicy, or tangy sauces. Root Beer Pulled Pork goes wonderfully with classic side dishes like coleslaw, potato salad, or pickles for a balanced and satisfying meal.
Chef’s tip: This recipe yields a generous amount of pulled pork. Don’t worry about leftovers! Store any extras in airtight containers and freeze them for future quick and delicious meals.
*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
