Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches with BBQ Sauce
Tender, juicy, and full of flavor, these Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches are a crowd favorite - and couldn’t be easier to make. With just 4 ingredients, shredded slow-cooked pork is simmered in BBQ sauce for a second round of cooking that makes it irresistibly saucy and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Perfect for game day, casual gatherings, or make-ahead meals, and easy to customize with your favorite toppings and sides.
Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Calories: 633kcal
Ingredients
- 2 medium yellow onions thinly sliced
- 4 pounds pork loin roast
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup yellow onion no need to add with our Oklahoma BBQ sauce as it has chopped onions in it
- 32 ounces Oklahoma BBQ Sauce or other barbecue sauce 4 cups
- 8 Hamburger buns Ciabatta rolls, or other soft, sturdy sandwich buns for serving
Instructions
- Place 1/2 of the sliced onions on the bottom of the slow cooker. Add pork, 1 1/2 cups water, then scatter remaining onions on top. Cover and cook on the low setting for 8 to 10 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours.
- Remove pork and onions; drain the slow cooker, reserving about 1/2 cup liquid. Let the pork sit at room temperature for around 10 minutes.
- Shred the pork with two forks; place back in the slow cooker with cooked onions. Stir in 2 cups BBQ sauce, chopped onion (if using), and reserved cooking liquid. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
- Taste and stir in more sauce, if desired.
- Serve on toasted hamburger buns or Ciabatta rolls, passing the remaining sauce on the side.
Notes
Optional Step for Extra Flavor: If you have a few extra minutes, searing the pork before slow cooking adds even more flavor. Here’s how:
1. Pat the pork dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil (vegetable or canola) in a large cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, sear the pork on all sides until nicely browned, around 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to the slow cooker and continue with the recipe.
This step isn’t required, but the caramelization from searing adds depth and richness to the final dish, and is especially helpful when using lean cuts like pork loin roast.
1. Pat the pork dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil (vegetable or canola) in a large cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, sear the pork on all sides until nicely browned, around 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to the slow cooker and continue with the recipe.
This step isn’t required, but the caramelization from searing adds depth and richness to the final dish, and is especially helpful when using lean cuts like pork loin roast.
Nutrition
Calories: 633kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 1496mg | Potassium: 1233mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 255IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 4mg