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Tender Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipe with Easy Brown Sugar Bourbon BBQ Sauce

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A tender and flavorful pulled pork cooked low and slow in a crockpot with a rich brown sugar bourbon BBQ sauce that balances smoky sweetness and a subtle bourbon kick.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat but well-marbled
  • Salt and black pepper, to season generously
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, for searing)
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup water or beef broth

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and season all sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Optional: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork shoulder on all sides until a deep golden crust forms, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, bourbon, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, red pepper flakes, and water or broth until smooth and slightly thick.
  4. Place the seared or unseared pork shoulder into the crockpot and pour the BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the pork, coating it well.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours, or until the pork is tender enough to shred easily with forks. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking.
  6. Remove the pork from the crockpot onto a plate or cutting board and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces using two forks or meat claws. Discard any large pieces of fat.
  7. Return the shredded pork to the crockpot and stir it into the sauce to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thin, remove the pork and simmer the sauce on the stovetop for 5-10 minutes to thicken, then combine again.
  8. Serve the pulled pork warm on buns, over rice, or with your favorite sides.

Notes

Searing the pork is optional but adds a richer flavor and caramelized crust. Avoid lifting the crockpot lid during cooking to maintain temperature. For gluten-free, use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce or substitute with coconut aminos. Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently with added water or broth if dry.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, crockpot, slow cooker, BBQ sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, easy recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/tender-crockpot-pulled-pork-recipe-with-easy-brown-sugar-bourbon-bbq-sauce/