Create incredibly tender and flavorful shredded pork effortlessly with this Pioneer Woman inspired Dr Pepper recipe. This easy slow cooker method requires just a few simple ingredients to deliver juicy, mouthwatering pulled pork perfect for sandwiches, tacos, and more.
Crock Pot Dr Pepper Pulled Pork and delicious juicy recipe everyone loves and comes back for. Serve with Coleslaw on buns for a fantastic meal.
This Dr Pepper Pulled Pork recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. If you’re searching for a foolproof way to make delicious pulled pork, look no further. Many call this recipe Pioneer Woman Pulled Pork because of its simple, hearty, and family-friendly appeal, reminiscent of Ree Drummond’s cooking style. Regardless of the name, the result is consistently juicy, tender shredded pork, seasoned to perfection and incredibly versatile. Serve it on buns as classic pulled pork sandwiches, pile it onto nachos, stuff it in tacos, or get creative with your own serving ideas.
Whether you’re a slow cooker devotee or an Instant Pot enthusiast, this recipe has you covered. While this guide focuses on the slow cooker method for Dr Pepper pulled pork, you’ll also find instructions for adapting it to your Instant Pot in the recipe card below. For now, let’s dive into why this slow cooker Dr Pepper pulled pork is destined to become a family favorite.
Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
Why This Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe Works
Life gets hectic, and sometimes dinner needs to be both delicious and convenient. That’s where this slow cooker pulled pork recipe shines. Imagine leaving for work in the morning with just 15 minutes of prep, knowing that a flavorful, satisfying meal will be waiting for you when you return. Simply load the ingredients into your Crock-Pot, set it to low, and let the magic happen.
This recipe is also incredibly budget-friendly. Pork roasts, especially pork butt or shoulder, are economical cuts of meat that become incredibly tender and flavorful when slow-cooked. Buying pork roasts in bulk, like those found at warehouse stores, can save you even more. Plus, the robust flavor of this Dr Pepper pulled pork is guaranteed to please even the hungriest crowds, making it perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
What truly sets this recipe apart is the incredible depth of flavor achieved with minimal effort. The combination of Dr Pepper, barbecue sauce, and a simple dry rub creates a symphony of sweet, savory, and smoky notes that permeate every strand of pork.
Key Ingredients for Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
To make this mouthwatering Dr Pepper pulled pork, you’ll need these simple ingredients:
- Pork Roast: Opt for a boneless pork butt or pork shoulder roast. These cuts have excellent marbling, which renders during slow cooking, resulting in incredibly tender and juicy pulled pork.
- Barbecue Sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce. A classic, smoky barbecue sauce works wonderfully, or you can experiment with sweet or tangy varieties to customize the flavor. Sweet Baby Rays is a popular choice for its thickness and flavor.
- Aromatic Vegetables: Onion and garlic form the flavor base of this dish. They infuse the pork with savory notes as it slow cooks.
- Dr Pepper Soda: The secret ingredient! Dr Pepper (or Diet Dr Pepper, Root Beer, Coke, or Pepsi) tenderizes the pork and adds a unique sweetness and depth of flavor. Diet sodas can be substituted without compromising the texture.
- Dry Rub Spices: A blend of paprika, chili powder, dry mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper creates a flavorful crust on the pork and enhances the overall taste. Cayenne pepper is optional for those who like a touch of heat.
Choosing the Right Pork Roast
When selecting pork for slow cooking, look for roasts with good fat marbling. These are often labeled as Boston Butt Roast, Picnic Butt, Pork Butt, Pork Shoulder, or Shoulder Roast. Your local butcher can also provide guidance on selecting the best cut. While bone-in roasts can be used, they may require slightly longer cooking times. For ease and convenience, boneless roasts are generally preferred.
Avoid using pork tenderloin for this recipe. Pork tenderloin is a very lean cut and tends to dry out in the slow cooker, even with added liquid. For juicy, fall-apart pulled pork, stick with pork butt or shoulder.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
Let’s walk through the simple steps to create this delicious Dr Pepper pulled pork in your slow cooker:
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Prepare the Dry Rub: In a bowl, combine paprika, chili powder, dry mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure all spices are well combined. Add cayenne pepper if desired.
Rub Pork Roast with Seasonings -
Season the Pork: Generously rub the seasoning blend all over the pork roast, ensuring all sides are coated.
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Prep the Slow Cooker: Dice an onion and spread it evenly on the bottom of your slow cooker. Place the seasoned pork roast on top of the onions, fat side down.
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Add Dr Pepper: Pour a can of Dr Pepper over the pork roast.
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Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. The long, slow cooking process is key to tenderizing the pork and infusing it with flavor.
Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe -
Shred the Pork: Once cooked, remove the roast from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the pork. It should easily fall apart if cooked properly.
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Combine with Juices and BBQ Sauce: You can either add the shredded pork back into all the juices in the slow cooker, or, for a slightly less liquidy result, reserve about 1 cup of the cooking juices and add that to the pork. Then, stir in your favorite barbecue sauce.
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Serve and Enjoy: Mix everything together, and your Dr Pepper Pulled Pork is ready to serve!
Serving Suggestions for Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
The versatility of Dr Pepper pulled pork is part of its appeal. Here are some delicious serving ideas:
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches: The classic choice! Serve the pulled pork on hoagie rolls or slider buns. For an extra layer of flavor and texture, top with coleslaw. The creamy coleslaw and crunchy cabbage provide a delightful contrast to the sweet and savory pork.
- Pulled Pork Nachos: Load up tortilla chips with pulled pork, cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, and all your favorite nacho toppings.
- Pulled Pork Tacos: Fill tortillas with pulled pork and your choice of taco fixings like salsa, onions, cilantro, and avocado.
- Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese: Elevate your mac and cheese by topping it with a generous helping of Dr Pepper pulled pork.
- Pulled Pork Baked Potatoes: Stuff baked potatoes with pulled pork for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Pulled Pork Tostadas: For a fun twist, try serving pulled pork on tostadas with toppings like red onion and pineapple for a sweet and savory combination.
- Pulled Pork Dip: For a quick and easy snack, serve pulled pork with tortilla chips for dipping.
Crock Pot Pulled Pork
Cooking Time for Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
Cooking time will vary slightly depending on the size of your pork roast and your slow cooker. For a 3-4 pound pork roast, use these guidelines:
- Low: 6-8 hours
- High: 3-4 hours
For faster cooking, you can cut the pork roast into smaller chunks. The pork is ready when it easily shreds with a fork. If it doesn’t shred easily, continue cooking until it reaches desired tenderness. Remember to remove any excess fat when shredding the pork.
Variations and Substitutions
Customize this Dr Pepper pulled pork recipe to your liking with these variations:
- Sweetness Boost: Add brown sugar for extra sweetness. Sprinkle it on the roast before cooking or mix it into the BBQ sauce at the end.
- Spice it Up: Increase the heat by adding cayenne pepper to the dry rub or incorporating diced green chilies. You can also add these at the end when shredding the meat.
- Soda Swaps: Experiment with other dark sodas like Root Beer, Coke, or Pepsi, including diet versions.
- BBQ Sauce Alternatives: While Sweet Baby Rays is recommended, use your favorite BBQ sauce or homemade BBQ sauce.
- Smoky Flavor: Add a touch of liquid smoke for a deeper smoky flavor. A little goes a long way, so use it sparingly.
Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
Choosing Your Slow Cooker
While Crock-Pot is a well-known brand, many excellent slow cookers are available. The key feature of any slow cooker is its ability to cook food low and slow, regardless of brand or features.
For a basic, reliable slow cooker, an 8qt Crock-Pot is a great option. If you prefer a slow cooker with more features like presets and portability, consider a Hamilton Beach Portable 6qt slow cooker.
Storing and Freezing Leftover Pulled Pork
Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat it easily in the microwave or on the stovetop for a quick meal.
For longer storage, freeze pulled pork in sealed containers for up to 3 months. Freezing in smaller portions makes it convenient for quick lunches or smaller meals.
Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe FAQ
Why use soda in pulled pork?
Soda, particularly Dr Pepper, acts as a tenderizer due to its sugars and carbonation. It breaks down the pork’s tough fibers, resulting in incredibly juicy and tender meat.
What makes pulled pork taste better?
Low and slow cooking is crucial for exceptional pulled pork. Cooking the pork roast at a low temperature for a long time allows the collagen to break down, creating tender, shreddable meat.
Why cook with Dr Pepper?
Beyond its popular flavor, Dr Pepper tenderizes meat, making it ideal for slow-cooked dishes like pulled pork.
Should you shred pulled pork hot or cold?
Shred pulled pork while it’s hot. Hot pork is much easier to shred as the fibers are more relaxed. As it cools, the pork becomes denser and harder to shred.
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Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe
Yields: 8 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 8 hours
Ingredients:
- 3-4 lb Pork Roast (Pork Butt, Pork Shoulder Roast)
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 1 tbl garlic, minced
- 8-12 ounces Dr. Pepper
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce
Pork Rub:
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
Instructions:
Dry Rub:
- In a small bowl, combine paprika, chili powder, dry mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork:
- Dice onion and place in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Rub seasonings all over the pork roast, ensuring all sides are covered.
- Place roast in the slow cooker on top of the onions and pour 8 to 12 ounces of Dr. Pepper over the roast.
- Set slow cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours, or until the roast easily falls apart with a fork.
- Remove roast from juices and reserve 1 to 1.5 cups of cooking juices.
- Shred pork and add reserved juices. Stir in 1 cup of BBQ sauce.
- Serve on buns with coleslaw or your favorite sides.
Instant Pot Cooking Directions:
- Follow steps 1-3 above for prepping and seasoning pork roast and place ingredients into Instant Pot liner. Pour Dr. Pepper over the roast.
- Pressure cook on High for 75 minutes, followed by a 25-minute natural pressure release.
- Reserve 1 to 1.5 cups of liquid.
- Remove roast and shred with forks. Add 1 cup of BBQ sauce and reserved liquid.
- Serve on buns with coleslaw.
Tip: For larger roasts, cut into 2 or 3 chunks for pressure cooking.
Recipe Notes:
- Types of Pork Roast: Use Boston Butt Roast, Picnic Butt, Pork Butt, Pork Shoulder, or Shoulder Roast. Boneless roasts are preferred for simplicity, but bone-in can also be used.
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Cooking Time: For a 3-4 pound pork roast: Low 6-8 hours, High 3-4 hours.
Enjoy your delicious Pioneer Woman inspired Dr Pepper Shredded Pork!
