Slow-cooked BBQ pulled pork: One Recipe, three delicious ways

There’s something deeply satisfying about a slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting – especially when the reward is tender, smoky BBQ pulled pork that falls apart at the touch of a fork. It’s affordable, feeds a crowd and tastes even better the next day. Whether you pile it high on a soft bun, tuck it into Mexican-style tortillas, or reinvent it for a comforting midweek dinner, this is one recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

Slow-Cooked BBQ Pulled Pork

Ingredients
1.8–2kg pork shoulder (bone-in or boneless)
1 onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 cup good-quality BBQ sauce (HP Sauce is a great option)
½ cup tomato passata or crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp mustard powder
Salt and cracked pepper
½ cup chicken stock

Method

Prepare the pork
Pat dry and season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cumin and mustard powder.
Layer the slow cooker
Place onion and garlic in the base. Sit the pork on top.
Mix the sauce
Combine BBQ sauce, passata, vinegar, brown sugar and stock. Pour over the pork.
Cook low and slow
Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours (or HIGH for 5–6 hours) until the meat falls apart easily.
Shred and finish
Remove pork, shred with two forks, discard excess fat. Return to the sauce and stir through. Let it soak up the flavour for 20–30 minutes before serving.

Three Delicious Ways to Serve It

Classic BBQ Pulled Pork Bun

Toasted brioche or soft burger buns
Creamy coleslaw
Extra BBQ sauce
Pickles
Pile the pork high, top with slaw for crunch and finish with pickles for tang. Perfect for weekend entertaining.

Mexican-Style Pulled Pork Tacos

Warm soft tortillas
Fresh tomato salsa
Sliced avocado
Coriander
Lime wedges
A dollop of sour cream
Add a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of coriander for brightness. You can even add a little chipotle for heat.

Pulled Pork Loaded Sweet Potatoes

Roasted whole sweet potatoes
Pulled pork
Greek yoghurt or sour cream
Spring onions
Grated cheese
Split open fluffy roasted sweet potatoes, load generously with pork, sprinkle with cheese and grill briefly until melted. A hearty but wholesome midweek dinner.

Why It’s a Winner

Budget-friendly cut of meat
Feeds a crowd
Freezes beautifully
Perfect for meal prep
Versatile across cuisines

This is comfort food at its best – rich, smoky, tender and endlessly adaptable.