Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork is a simple and delicious meal perfect for any occasion. Tender shredded pulled pork smothered in a sweet and tangy sauce makes an incredible BBQ sandwich topped with coleslaw on a bun.

On those days when you need an easy recipe that takes almost no thought, reach for this one. This tangy and savory pulled pork recipe is the perfect thing to make for family dinners. Everyone loves tender shredded pork, and there are a ton of ways to make this recipe your own. Keep it simple and use bottled sauce or make a homemade BBQ sauce. Either way, it’s the root bear that makes the pork stand out,

The best part of this recipe is the perfect balance of flavors without having to baby it all day! Place all the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook on the low setting all day. That’s it! Dinner will be ready when you are. 

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork

• Cooks all day in the slow cooker. 
• Meat is fork-tender. 
• Tastes delicious in pork sandwiches or by itself. 
• The perfect game day food. 

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

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This easy meal uses simple ingredients that are easy to find. Here is what you’ll need from the grocery store before you make this easy slow cooker recipe. The exact amounts are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

• Boneless Pork Shoulder Butt Roast: A tender cut of meat from the upper portion of the shoulder perfect for slow cooking or roasting
• Root Beer: Use your favorite brand of root beer. 
• BBQ Sauce: Add your favorite sauce to the slow cooker; you can even use homemade BBQ sauce. 
• Onion Powder: This will add salty and earthy flavors to the pork. 
• Garlic Salt: You don’t have to add more salt when you use garlic salt. 
• Cajun Seasoning: This adds a ton of flavor to the pork. Try my homemade Cajun seasoning.
• Smoked Paprika: Pulled pork needs a smoky flavor, and paprika adds the perfect amount of smoky notes. 
• Coleslaw: This is an optional topping for the sandwich. Try this Chipotle Coleslaw.
• Buns: Use your favorite type of buns for the sandwich. 

How to Make Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork

• Step One: Place the pork into the slow cooker.
• Step Two: Cover the pork roast with the seasonings.  
• Step Three: Pour the root beer into the slow cooker.
• Step Four: Pour half of the bottle of bbq sauce over the pork.
• Step Five: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the meat falls apart.
• Step Six: Discard any fat from the pork.
• Step Seven: Shred the pork.
• Step Eight: Add the rest of the bbq sauce and stir to combine.
• Step Nine: Serve!

Equipment Needed

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• Slow Cooker – You will need at least a 4-5 quart Crock Pot to fit a large pork roast. 
• Slow Cooker Liner – This is optional, but it’s my favorite way to make clean-up easier. 
• Forks – You’ll use two forks to shred the pork. 
• Slotted Serving Spoon –  Use a spoon or tongs to serve the meat.  
• Cutting Board – Shred the pork on a cutting board to protect your countertop. 

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork

This is my favorite root beer pulled pork recipe because of its flavor and easy to make. Here are some of my favorite sides that taste delicious with a good pulled pork sandwich.    

• Party Potatoes
• Poutine
• Cheesy Garlic Biscuits
• Air Fryer Corn Ribs
• Spinach Artichoke Dip

Variations and Substitutions

• Add diced red onion instead of onion powder.  
• Use a dry rub instead of BBQ sauce. 
• Use slider rolls, or Kaiser rolls instead of hamburger buns. 

Storage Instructions 

This pork sandwich recipe tastes just as delicious the next day. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer until completely heated. If it’s too dry, add some more barbeque sauce to it. 

Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork Tips and Tricks

• Use your favorite bbq sauce; if you like it spicy, add spicy BBQ sauce.    
• The oatmeal helps thicken the sloppy joes; you will never know it’s there. 
• Make it spicier. Use more Cajun seasoning or a spicy BBQ sauce. 

Do I Need To Brown Pork?

No, you don’t have to brown the pork at all. It will cook perfectly in the slow cooker. If you like your pulled pork to be a bit crispy, shred it, place it on a baking sheet, and broil it in the oven for about 10 minutes. 

Can I Use A Different Soda? 

You can use a different soda for the slow cooker instead of root beer. Coca-Cola is a popular ingredient in the popular slow cooker pork recipe. Other people prefer to use cream soda instead of a can of root beer.

Why Add Soda To Meat? 

Soda acts like a meat tenderizer. Since it has a similar pH to lemon juice, it’s acidic enough to break down the proteins without dissolving the meat. 

What Cut Of Pork Works Best for Root Beer Pulled Pork?

Use any pork roast for this root beer pulled pork recipe in the store. Pork butt, Boston butt, pork tenderloin, or pork loin roast are all excellent choices! They will cook perfectly in the slow cooker. 

Can I Use Diet Root Beer In The Recipe?

You might see diet soda recipes, but I don’t recommend them. When you heat the artificial sweetener aspartame, it breaks down and creates a not-so-pleasant smell and taste. Some diet root beer is made with sucralose and tastes really good (but some people still say it has an aftertaste). Cooking with sucralose is up to your personal preference. It is safe; some people like it, but others don’t. 

Can I Make This Recipe With Chicken or Beef Instead of Pork?

You can make BBQ pulled chicken or root beer roast with beef. Since each type of meat will have a different amount of fat or protein, they will take a different amount of time to cook. The chicken will cook much quicker than beef. Keep an eye on them and turn the heat off when they are tender enough to shred easily with a fork. 

What Can I Do If My Root Beer Pulled Pork Is Too Sweet?

If your root beer pulled pork is too sweet, try it with a different BBQ sauce. Some are sweetened with a lot of corn syrup or brown sugar. You can try adding less BBQ sauce or cutting back on the root beer amount. 

FAQ

Pulled Pork Recipes    

Want more tasty pulled pork recipes that you can make at home? Here are some of my favorites:

• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Asian Pork Tenderloin
• Pork Gyros With Tzatziki Sauce 

You’ll also like Pork Schnitzel, Sloppy Cooker Mississippi Sloppy Joes, Crockpot Italian Pork Chops, Honey Garlic Pork Chops and Slow Cooker Rodeo Sloppy Joes.

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