5-Ingredient BBQ Pulled Pork

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This dish features pork shoulder cooked low and slow with smoked paprika, salt, barbecue sauce, and chicken broth. The meat becomes tender enough to shred easily, absorbing smoky, tangy flavors. Simple preparation requires just a few ingredients and minimal hands-on time. Serve on toasted buns, with coleslaw, or over baked potatoes for a satisfying, flavor-packed meal. Adjust seasoning with chili powder or cayenne for added heat, and enjoy leftovers frozen for future meals.

Updated on Sat, 13 Dec 2025 16:04:00 GMT
Smoky 5-Ingredient BBQ Pulled Pork, tender and shredded, ready to pile high on toasted buns. Save
Smoky 5-Ingredient BBQ Pulled Pork, tender and shredded, ready to pile high on toasted buns. | quantumgrill.com

Tender, juicy pulled pork slow-cooked with smoky barbecue flavors, perfect for sandwiches or served over rice.

I have made this pulled pork for family gatherings and it always gets rave reviews for its tenderness and flavor.

Ingredients

  • Pork: 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) boneless pork shoulder or pork butt
  • Seasonings: 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt
  • Sauce: 1 cup barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • Liquid: 1/2 cup chicken broth

Instructions

Step 1:
Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker.
Step 2:
Sprinkle the smoked paprika and salt evenly over the pork.
Step 3:
Pour the barbecue sauce and chicken broth over the meat.
Step 4:
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the pork is very tender and can be easily shredded with a fork.
Step 5:
Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred using two forks.
Step 6:
Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker, mix well with the sauce, and heat through for 10 minutes before serving.
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| quantumgrill.com

My family loves gathering around the table for this pulled pork, especially with toasted buns and coleslaw on the side.

Notes

For a spicier version, add 1/2 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne pepper. Serve on toasted buns, with coleslaw, or over baked potatoes.

Required Tools

Slow cooker (or Dutch oven for oven method), Cutting board, Knife, Forks (for shredding)

Nutritional Information

Calories: 350 per serving, Total Fat: 18 g, Carbohydrates: 14 g, Protein: 32 g

Golden, glistening 5-Ingredient BBQ Pulled Pork, slow-cooked to perfection, swimming in rich barbecue sauce. Save
Golden, glistening 5-Ingredient BBQ Pulled Pork, slow-cooked to perfection, swimming in rich barbecue sauce. | quantumgrill.com

This pulled pork is the perfect balance of smoky and sweet, perfect for any occasion.

Common Questions

What cut of meat works best?

Boneless pork shoulder or pork butt is ideal for its marbling and tenderness when slow-cooked.

Can this be made gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free barbecue sauce to keep the dish free of gluten contaminants.

How long should I cook the pork?

Cooking on low for 8 hours ensures the pork is tender and easily shreddable.

What can I serve with the pulled pork?

Toasted buns, coleslaw, baked potatoes, or rice pair well with the smoky pork.

Can I spice it up?

Adding chili powder or cayenne pepper enhances the smoky flavor with a touch of heat.

5-Ingredient BBQ Pulled Pork

Slow-cooked smoky pork shoulder with paprika and BBQ sauce, perfect for sandwiches or hearty meals.

Prep Time
10 min
Time to Cook
480 min
Overall Time
490 min
Recipe by Evan Clark


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Makes 6 Portions

Dietary Details No Dairy

What You Need

Pork

01 3.3 lbs boneless pork shoulder or pork butt

Seasonings

01 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
02 1 teaspoon salt

Sauce

01 1 cup barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Liquid

01 1/2 cup chicken broth

How to Make

Instruction 01

Prepare Pork: Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker.

Instruction 02

Season Meat: Sprinkle smoked paprika and salt evenly over the pork.

Instruction 03

Add Sauce and Broth: Pour barbecue sauce and chicken broth over the meat.

Instruction 04

Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is tender enough to shred easily with a fork.

Instruction 05

Shred Pork: Remove pork from the cooker and shred using two forks.

Instruction 06

Combine and Heat: Return shredded pork to the slow cooker, mix thoroughly with sauce, and heat for an additional 10 minutes before serving.

Tools You'll Need

  • Slow cooker
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Forks for shredding

Allergy Details

Always check every component for allergens. If unsure, ask a specialist.
  • BBQ sauce may contain gluten, soy, or other allergens; verify ingredient labels.

Nutrition Details (each serving)

Nutrition data is informative only. Don't use as medical guidance.
  • Calorie Count: 350
  • Total Fats: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Proteins: 32 g