This slow cooker Chipotle BBQ Pulled Pork has all the right flavors - smoky, spicy and insanely delicious. Perfect for tacos, burritos with just 5 minutes of prep. Like they say slow and steady, this one just won the race!
This is officially the BEST pulled pork ever. I am very picky when it comes to my pork, but this slow cooker chipotle BBQ pulled pork was love at first bite! The meat in this one in brimming with flavour and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Even if you aren't a pork lover like me, this recipe right here will make you fall in love!
Since we're making this chipotle BBQ pulled pork in the slow cooker, it's a total dump-and-go kind recipe. I love the quick and easy way too much. In fact, you don't even need to sear the pork for this recipe, because when things go into the slow cooker, you don't need to sear to lock in the flavors. Slow cooking on it's own is such a great way to build flavors in a dish.
Quick Walk Through: Slow Cooker Chipotle BBQ Pulled Pork
Before we go full force into the recipe, let's address some questions here. Just so we can all become experts on pulled pork.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's simply pork that has been cooked long enough for the meat to be easily shredded with a fork. You can braise it in an oven, cook it in a pressure cooker or like we are doing here, cook it in a slow cooker or crockpot for perfectly flavored pulled pork.
The world says it's the pork shoulder or the pork butt because the meat becomes super tender when it's braised or cooked for a long time. So this slow cooker recipe recommends pork shoulder. Bone in can be great, but I personally prefer a boneless cut so that it's just easier later and you don't need to go fishing for the bone.
If you are using a slow cooker like me, 8-9 hours on low is perfect to cook the pork shoulder. I wouldn't recommend cooking it on high because low and slow is the way to go. If using an oven, braising it for 3-4 hours should be sufficient. I reckon a pressure cooker / instant pot would be the fastest and would cook a big chunk of pork in under 90 minutes.
Top Tips To Make The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Don't throw out the excess liquid in the slow cooker because it's loaded with flavour. You can easily make a sauce of it by whisking in a little bit of flour and cooking it on the stovetop until it thickens.
- You can store this dish in the fridge for up to 3 days in a clean airtight container.
- This slow cooker chipotle BBQ pulled pork can also be frozen. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe bag or container. It will stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
This is seriously becoming my favorite pork dish, and is topping the Korean Gochujang Pork Bulgogi that we all love so much! So let's take out the tacos and fill 'em up burritos because this slow cooker chipotle bbq pulled pork just took over the world!
The Best Slow Cooker Chipotle BBQ Pulled Pork
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 750 grams Pork Shoulder boneless
- 2 Onions sliced
For the Marinade Sauce
- 4-5 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chilli / Paprika Powder
- 6-7 Garlic Cloves
- ¼ cup Brown sugar or Honey
- 1 tablespoon Cumin Powder
- ¼ cup Apple Cider vinegar
- ½ Onion sliced
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Blend together all the ingredients mentioned under marinade to a smooth paste.
- In a slow cooker or crockpot, add pork (fat side up), the marinade sauce, sliced onions and ¼ cup water. Cook on low for 8-10 hours till the pork is completely cooked through and shreds easily with a fork.
- Remove the layer of fat from top and discard. Be patient and spoon off any fat that's swimming on top and discard. Shred the pork meat with a fork, top with cilantro and serve!
Notes
- The liquid in the slow cooker can be used to make a sauce for the pork. I whisk a little flour in it and cook it on the stove till it thickens. It has tons of flavor and shouldn't be wasted
- Boneless pork shoulder works best for this recipe. Bone in can be great, but I personally prefer a boneless cut so that it's just easier later and you don't need to go fishing for the bone.
- We like our food extra spicy, so feel free to adjust the spice to your taste
Penelope Hanser says
Oh my goodness, and I do mean goodness! I just mixed this up in the blender, haven't even cooked it yet and it's wonderful. Thank you!
Kelly says
This sounds delicious..
I’ve bought all ingredients but unsure which type of vinegar to use? Did anyone get an answer?
Thanks
Richa says
Hey there, please use Apple Cider Vinegar here
Skye says
Hi! RE: The vinegar - do you mean white, red wine, or balsamic???
And re: paprkia, ground, sweet or smoked (assuming smoked!)??
Planning to make this tomorrow morning so hope to get a prompt reply!! Cheers.
Laura says
This was fantastic. I wasn't sure because I'd never used chipotle in adobo sauce and the marinade smelled very strong but it cooked out beautifully. It was a super rich taste. I was full by the time i was done pulling it 🤪.
Thank you!
Richa says
Thank you so much Laura! I'm a huge fan of chipotle in adobo sauce and can practically lick this clean
Skye says
Hi Laura, what kind of vinegar did you use for this? Cheers
raol says
Wow! How long do you reckon in the cooker ?
richagupta says
This needs to be cooked for about 8-10 hours on low if you are using a slow cooker. If you would like to use a pressure cooker, I'd say anywhere between 1-1.5 hours.