These Slow Cooker Chipotle BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches are easy, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight comfort food. The quick homemade Chipotle BBQ Sauce gives a smoky-sweet twist in just 10 minutes.
Recipe Overview
Time: About 6 hours, 10 minutes to prep and 6 hours to cook on low
Ingredients: Pork Shoulder, broth or Coke, buns, pickles, homemade chipotle BBQ sauce (ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, chipotle peppers, smoked paprika, garlic powder).
Ease: Very easy! The slow cooker does almost all the work. You just need to blend the sauce and shred the pork.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Pork Shoulder - Pork shoulder (also called pork butt) has the right amount of fat and marbling. Pork loin will work too, but it's leaner, so the meat won't be as juicy. If you can only find bone in pork shoulder, cut the bone out so the meat cooks more evenly.
- Broth or Coke - The liquid you choose changes the flavor. Coke, or Dr Pepper, adds sweetness. Beef broth gives the pork a richer, more savory flavor. Chicken broth is clean and light. You can also use water if you don't want to buy anything extra.
- Toppings - Keep it classic with pickles and coleslaw, or switch it up with jalapeños and a slice of pepper jack cheese.
- Homemade Chipotle BBQ Sauce - My 10-Minute Sweet & Spicy Chipotle BBQ Sauce is super easy to make. If you're short on time, use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce instead.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Cook Pork Shoulder
Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker. Pour in 1 cups of your choice of liquid. Cook on Low for 6-7 hours or High for 3-4 hours.
Make BBQ Sauce
Blend together all the ingredients for the Chipotle BBQ Sauce until smooth. Set aside.
Shread
Shred the pork using two forks and mix in BBQ sauce.
Make Sandwich
Pile ½ cup of pulled pork onto each toasted bun, add BBQ sauce and pickles, and serve with your favorite sides.
Tips
For Crispy Edges: After shredding, spread the pork on a sheet pan and broil for 2-3 minutes until the edges start to caramelize. Then mix in BBQ sauce.
Bone-in Pork Shoulder: If you can only find pork shoulder (aka pork butt) bone-in, cut the bone out first. Otherwise, cooking may be uneven.
Don't Overcook the Pork: Cooking pork shoulder too long can dry it out. If the meat seems dry after shredding, stir in extra BBQ sauce or a splash of the cooking liquid to bring back moisture.
Shred While Warm: Pulled pork is much easier to shred when it's hot. If it cools before you have a chance to shred it, warm it in the microwave for a short time.
Common Questions
Use leftovers in quesadillas, nachos, baked potatoes, tacos, or even on pizza.
Coke/Dr Pepper - adds sweetness and depth
Beef broth - richer, more savory
Chicken broth - clean and light
Water - neutral, great if you don't want to buy anything extra
Pork shoulder (also called pork butt) is best because it has the right amount of fat and marbling. Pork loin will work too, but it's leaner so the meat won't be as juicy.
With 2 chipotles, it's mild to medium. Use 1 pepper for very mild, or 3+ for more heat.
Classic toppings are pickles and coleslaw, but you can also add jalapeños, a slice of cheese, or chips for extra crunch.
Make Ahead
- Fridge - Make pulled pork and BBQ sauce. Store separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave. If it looks a little dry, add a splash of broth or more BBQ sauce.
- Freezer- Make pulled pork and BBQ sauce. Portion it into freezer bags with a BBQ sauce to prevent it from drying out. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat the microwave for quick weeknight sandwiches.
Sides for recipe
- Easy Sides - chips, baked beans, or a bagged salad kit
- A Little More Effort - tater tots, coleslaw, or corn on the cob
- Homemade - Mac and Cheese orJalapeño Cornbread
Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.
Chipotle BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Ingredients
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- 3-4 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt boneless, trimmed of excess fat*
- 1 cup chicken broth, beef broth, or soda (like Coke or Dr Pepper)**
- 6-8 burger buns toasted
- pickles for serving
- 1 ¼ cups BBQ Sauce recipe below
10-Minute Sweet & Spicy Chipotle BBQ Sauce
- ⅔ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce use 2 peppers for a light kick
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker. Pour in 1 cups of your choice of liquid. If using a bone-in shoulder, remove the bone before cooking so the pork cooks evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the pork shreds easily with a fork.
- Blend together all the ingredients for the Chipotle BBQ Sauce until smooth. Set aside.
- Transfer pork to a large plate or cutting board and shred with forks. (Optional: For crispy edges, spread pork on a sheet pan and broil 2-3 minutes.) Transfer to a bowl.
- Mix about ¾ cup of the BBQ sauce into the shredded pork. Taste and adjust with more sauce, hot sauce, salt, or pepper as needed.
- Pile about ½ cup of pulled pork onto each toasted bun. Top with extra BBQ sauce and pickles.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!