Description
This Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Holiday BBQ Pork recipe is a simple, flavorful dish perfect for easy holiday meals or gatherings. Using only a few ingredients, the pork shoulder is slow-cooked until tender and infused with a tangy, sweet BBQ sauce mixture, resulting in juicy, shreddable meat that pairs wonderfully with your favorite sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 3 pounds pork shoulder
Sauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork Shoulder: Place the 3 pounds of pork shoulder into the slow cooker, laying it flat to ensure even cooking.
- Mix the Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of BBQ sauce, 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Stir well until the brown sugar is dissolved and the mixture is uniform.
- Coat the Pork: Pour the BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the pork shoulder in the slow cooker, making sure the meat is fully coated to absorb the flavors during cooking.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Cook until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Shred the Pork: Once cooked, use two forks to shred the pork directly in the slow cooker. Mix the shredded meat thoroughly with the sauce remaining in the pot to ensure every bite is flavorful.
- Serve: Serve the warm shredded BBQ pork with your choice of sides such as coleslaw, baked beans, or cornbread for a hearty holiday meal.
Notes
- If time is short, cooking on high for 4-5 hours can work, but low and slow is best for tender pork.
- Use homemade or your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce to customize the flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- For a spicier twist, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the BBQ mixture.
- Make sure not to overfill the slow cooker; the pork should fit comfortably to cook evenly.
