Slow Cooker Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork is the ultimate comfort food, blending the rich, caramelized flavors of barbecue with the warm, soothing essence of a classic slow-cooked dish. This decadent creation is a celebration of refined indulgence, where the tender pork shoulder melts in your mouth, infused with the irresistible notes of bourbon and a symphony of spices. Prepare to be transported to a world of gourmet deliciousness, where every bite is a sensory delight.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork
This slow-cooked masterpiece offers a harmonious balance of flavors, textures, and aromas that will captivate your senses. The pork shoulder, simmered to perfection in a luscious bourbon-infused barbecue sauce, emerges with a beautiful, caramelized exterior and a melt-in-your-mouth interior. The cozy, comforting nature of this dish makes it the ultimate indulgence, perfect for serving to your loved ones or enjoying on a cozy evening. The refined, elegant approach to this classic comfort food will leave you feeling satisfied and inspired, elevating your culinary experience to new heights.
Ingredients
The ingredients for this Slow Cooker Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork recipe are carefully selected to create a harmonious symphony of flavors. At the heart of the dish is the tender pork shoulder, which is slow-cooked to perfection. The bourbon lends a warm, caramelized depth, while the barbecue sauce provides a beautifully balanced sweetness and tanginess. A blend of aromatic spices, including smoked paprika, garlic, and onion, infuses the pork with a refined, gourmet essence, elevating the dish to new heights of culinary delight.
- 4-5 lbs – Pork Shoulder
- 1 cup – Bourbon
- 1 cup – Barbecue Sauce
- 1 tbsp – Smoked Paprika
- 2 tsp – Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp – Onion Powder
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Ingredient Substitutions
- Pork Cut: Pork Butt or Pork Loin — a refined swap that keeps the balance.
- Barbecue Sauce: Honey Mustard or Apple Cider Vinegar Sauce — perfect for dietary or texture variation.
How to Make Slow Cooker Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork
Begin by seasoning the pork shoulder generously with a blend of salt, pepper, and your desired spices, such as smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This will create a beautiful, caramelized crust on the pork as it slow-cooks. Prepare your slow cooker by spraying the insert with a light coating of nonstick cooking spray, ensuring easy release and cleanup later.
Step 1 — Prep Work
Begin by seasoning the pork shoulder generously with a blend of salt, pepper, and your desired spices, such as smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This will create a beautiful, caramelized crust on the pork as it slow-cooks. Prepare your slow cooker by spraying the insert with a light coating of nonstick cooking spray, ensuring easy release and cleanup later.
Step 2 — Main Cooking Process
Place the seasoned pork shoulder in the prepared slow cooker. In a separate bowl, whisk together the bourbon, barbecue sauce, and any additional seasonings you desire, such as a touch of brown sugar or Dijon mustard. Pour the bourbon BBQ sauce over the pork, ensuring it is evenly coated. Cover the slow cooker and cook the pork on low for 8-10 hours, or until the meat is incredibly tender and effortlessly shreds with a fork.
Step 3 — Final Steps/Assembly
Once the pork is cooked to perfection, use two forks to shred the meat directly in the slow cooker, allowing it to soak up all the delicious bourbon BBQ sauce. Adjust the seasoning to your taste, adding a touch more salt, pepper, or any other spices you desire. If the sauce seems a bit thin, you can thicken it by simmering it on the stovetop for a few minutes, or by mixing in a bit of cornstarch slurry.
Step 4 — Finishing Touches
For an even more refined presentation, you can optionally transfer the shredded pork to a baking sheet and broil it for a few minutes, creating a beautifully caramelized exterior that contrasts with the melt-in-your-mouth interior. This step adds an extra layer of flavor and texture to the dish.
Chef Tips & Variations
- Tangy Twist: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or a touch of Dijon mustard to the barbecue sauce for a subtle tang.
- Spicy Kick: Incorporate a dash of cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce for a spicier twist.
- Herbal Infusion: Infuse the dish with aromatic herbs, such as fresh thyme or rosemary, for a more herbaceous profile.
- Sandwich Sensation: Serve the pulled pork on soft brioche buns for a classic pulled pork sandwich experience.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: creamy coleslaw, tangy pickles, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
Storage: Leftover pulled pork can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Gently reheat the pork on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying.
Make-Ahead: This dish can be prepared in advance, making it a great option for entertaining or meal prepping.
Nutrition Information
Slow Cooker Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork is a hearty, satisfying dish that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. Each serving provides a generous amount of protein from the pork shoulder, as well as a range of essential vitamins and minerals. While the dish does contain some added sugars from the barbecue sauce and bourbon, the overall nutritional profile is quite wholesome, making it a comforting and indulgent option that can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy lifestyle.
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 27 g
- Carbs: 18 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of pork instead of shoulder?
Absolutely! While pork shoulder is the traditional choice for pulled pork, you can also use pork butt or pork loin. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly, and the texture may be a bit different. Pork shoulder tends to be more forgiving and results in a more tender, shredded texture.
How can I make this dish less sweet?
If you prefer a less sweet Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork, you can reduce the amount of barbecue sauce or try using a more savory, vinegar-based sauce. You can also omit the brown sugar or use a smaller amount. Experiment with the sauce ingredients until you find the perfect balance of flavors for your taste preferences.
Can I make this dish in an Instant Pot?
Absolutely! The Instant Pot is a fantastic tool for creating tender, flavorful pulled pork. Simply follow the same steps, but adjust the cooking time to 60-80 minutes on the high pressure setting, depending on the size of your pork shoulder. This will result in a similarly delicious and comforting dish, with the added benefit of a quicker cooking time.
How do I know when the pork is done?
The pork is ready when it is fork-tender and easily shreds apart. To test for doneness, use two forks to gently pull at the pork. If it effortlessly falls apart, it’s ready to be shredded and served.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, this Slow Cooker Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork is an excellent make-ahead dish. The flavors actually improve over time, so you can prepare the pork a day or two in advance and reheat it when ready to serve. This makes it a great option for entertaining or meal prepping.
Try These Next
- Sweet Spicy Bourbon Bbq Pulled Pork Lasagna Rolls
- Smoky Bbq Pulled Pork Potato Casserole
- Slow Cooker Instant Pot
Slow Cooker Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork
- Total Time: 495 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of this Slow Cooker Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork, a perfect blend of sweet and smoky that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
2 pounds pork shoulder
1 cup bourbon
1 cup BBQ sauce
1 onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. 1. Place the sliced onion and minced garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. 2. Season the pork shoulder with salt, pepper, brown sugar, and smoked paprika.
3. 3. Place the pork on top of the onions and garlic.
4. 4. Pour the bourbon and BBQ sauce over the pork.
5. 5. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
6. 6. Once cooked, shred the pork with two forks and mix with the sauce.
Notes
For an extra kick, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the seasoning. Serve on toasted buns with coleslaw for a delightful meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 480 minutes
- Category: Slow Cooker & Instant Pot
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg