Imagine walking into your kitchen and being greeted by the irresistible aroma of slow-cooked, tender pork swimming in rich, tangy BBQ sauce. These Crockpot BBQ Pork Sandwiches are about to become your new favorite comfort food – so easy to prepare that even novice cooks can create a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort. Whether you're hosting a game day party, looking for a simple family dinner, or craving a delicious weekend treat, these sandwiches will have everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds)!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Slice the onion into thin rings and set aside.
- Season the pork shoulder generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Make sure to rub the seasonings all over the meat for an even flavor.
- In the bottom of your crockpot, place the sliced onions. This will create a flavorful base for the pork.
- Place the seasoned pork shoulder on top of the onions in the crockpot.
- Pour the BBQ sauce evenly over the pork shoulder, ensuring it is well-coated. Reserve a small amount of BBQ sauce for serving, if desired.
- Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook on low for about 8 hours. This slow cooking process will make the pork tender and flavorful.
- After 8 hours, check the pork for tenderness. It should easily shred with a fork. If it’s not tender enough, cook for an additional hour.
- Once the pork is ready, use two forks to shred the meat directly in the crockpot, mixing it with the juices and onions for added flavor.
- While the pork is still warm, toast the hamburger buns lightly, if desired.
- To assemble the sandwiches, place a generous portion of the shredded BBQ pork on the bottom half of each bun. Optionally, drizzle with the reserved BBQ sauce.
- Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately, accompanied by your favorite side dishes.
Tips
- Choose the right cut: Pork shoulder (also called pork butt) is ideal for this recipe because of its high fat content, which ensures incredibly tender, juicy meat.
- Don't rush the cooking: The 8-hour slow cook is crucial for breaking down the meat's connective tissues, creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Layer for flavor: Placing onions at the bottom of the crockpot adds depth and prevents the meat from sticking.
- Season generously: Don't be shy with salt, pepper, and garlic powder – these will penetrate the meat during the long cooking process.
- For extra tang, try mixing different BBQ sauce styles or adding a splash of apple cider vinegar to your sauce.
- Make ahead friendly: These sandwiches taste even better the next day, so don't hesitate to prepare them in advance.
- Customize your toppings: Consider adding coleslaw, pickles, or extra BBQ sauce for personalized flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 530kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 100mg
