Hey there, fellow food lovers! Are you a fan of Ree Drummond, aka the Pioneer Woman? If you are, you’re in good company! She’s a culinary icon with a fantastic blog, a bunch of best-selling cookbooks, a Food Network show, and even her own product lines. Today, we’re diving into one of her classics, Pulled Pork, but with a super convenient twist: we’re making it in the crock pot! This Crock Pot Pulled Pork Pioneer Woman recipe adaptation is going to be a game-changer for your weeknight dinners or weekend barbecues.
Close-up shot of juicy pulled pork in a bun, showcasing the Pioneer Woman's recipe adapted for crock pot cooking
Like many home cooks, I adore the Pioneer Woman’s recipes. Her cookbooks are filled with approachable and delicious meals, often accompanied by helpful step-by-step photos. Recently, I was craving her Classic Pulled Pork recipe after spotting a Boston Butt roast on sale. However, the original recipe calls for a lengthy 10-hour oven cooking time. As much as I love good food, a 10-hour cook time on a busy day felt a bit much. That’s when the idea of adapting it for the crock pot struck me! And let me tell you, it worked out perfectly. This Pioneer Woman crock pot pulled pork is just as flavorful and tender as the original, but requires much less hands-on time and oven watch. You can find the original oven-baked recipe here, but stick around to see how easy it is to make in your slow cooker.
Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe: Slow Cooker Adaptation
This recipe takes the amazing flavors of Pioneer Woman’s classic pulled pork and simplifies the cooking process using a crock pot. Get ready for tender, flavorful pulled pork with minimal effort!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 5lb Boston Butt (also known as Pork Shoulder)
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp Chili Powder
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup BBQ Sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1/4 cup Ketchup
- Potato Buns or Hamburger Buns, for serving
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman's Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe, including Boston Butt, spices, onion, BBQ sauce, and ketchup
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Prepare the Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure all spices are evenly distributed.
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Rub the Pork: Place the Boston Butt on a large plate or cutting board. Generously rub the spice mixture all over the pork, ensuring every surface is coated. This spice rub is key to achieving that signature Pioneer Woman pulled pork flavor even in the crock pot.
Close-up of Boston Butt being seasoned with spice rub for Pioneer Woman's Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe -
Place in Crock Pot: Put the chopped onion in the bottom of your crock pot. Place the seasoned Boston Butt on top of the onions. The onions will add flavor and help keep the pork from sticking.
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Add Liquids: Pour the BBQ sauce and ketchup over the pork in the crock pot. Add 2 cups of water to the pot. The liquid is essential for slow cooking and keeping the pork moist.
Adding BBQ sauce and ketchup to the crock pot with seasoned Boston Butt and onions for Pioneer Woman's Pulled Pork -
Slow Cook: Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours. Cooking times can vary depending on your crock pot and the size of the pork, so check for doneness after 4 hours. The pork should be very tender and easily shredded with a fork.
Boston Butt cooking in the crock pot for Pioneer Woman's Pulled Pork recipe -
Shred the Pork: Once the pork is cooked through, remove it from the crock pot and place it in a large serving bowl. Use two forks to shred the pork. It should shred easily if it’s cooked properly. Drain off some of the excess liquid from the crock pot if desired, or reserve it to add moisture back to the pulled pork.
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Serve: Serve the crock pot Pioneer Woman pulled pork on potato buns or hamburger buns. Add your favorite coleslaw or side dishes to complete the meal.
Deliciously shredded Pioneer Woman's Crock Pot Pulled Pork served on potato buns
Enjoy Your Crock Pot Pioneer Woman Pulled Pork!
This crock pot pulled pork Pioneer Woman recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a classic dish with minimal fuss. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with incredibly tender and flavorful pulled pork that’s perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or even loaded baked potatoes. Give this easy crock pot adaptation a try and bring the delicious flavors of the Pioneer Woman’s kitchen to your table tonight! You might just find yourself making this recipe a regular in your meal rotation.
