Labor Day can be labor-less by whipping up these crowd pleasing Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches! Pork shoulder is cooked low and slow until fall-apart tender. Top toasted pretzel rolls with the warm pulled pork, barbecue sauce and a crisp cool coleslaw for one delicious meal!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This Labor Day why not make it labor-less by whipping up these delicious slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches?

Okay, so these aren’t totally labor-free it’s just that pretty much everything is done in your slow cooker. And truthfully could be made a few days in advance and they reheated the day of which lightens the load a bit, right?

For this recipe, a large pork shoulder is seared and toss it into the slow cooker with sautéed onions and a light smoky sauce. It cooks low and slow until falling apart.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Deliciously tender shredded pork topped with barbecue sauce meets crisp coleslaw and pretzel bun. <—my weakness.

ingredients for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

To Make These Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches You Will Need:

  • ketchup – homemade or store-bought,  regular or sugar free will work.
  • tomato pasteLends complex tomato flavor.
  • dark brown sugar – Adds sweetness.
  • apple cider vinegarAdds a touch of acidity.
  • paprikaLends color and subtle flavor.
  • chipotle powderLends some heat with smoky and earthy flavor.
  • garlic powderAdds flavor that’s sweeter yet milder than fresh garlic.
  • dry mustardLends delicious tangy flavor.
  • cuminLends earthiness and warmth, with an edge of citrus.
  • smoked paprikaLends color and delicious smoky flavor.
  • avocado oil – Or  use extra light olive oil for searing the pork shoulder.
  • bone-in pork shoulder roastYou will need a 6 to 7 pound pork roast.
  • kosher saltEnhances the flavors of the dish.
  • freshly ground black pepper Adds some subtle bite and flavor.
  • yellow onionAdds texture and flavor the pulled pork.

For Serving:

combine ingredients

In a medium bowl, measure and add; 3/4 cup ketchup, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon each paprika, chipotle powder, garlic powder, dry mustard and cumin, plus a 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika.

combined cooking sauce

Whisk until thoroughly combined.

seasoned pork shoulder

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet. Use paper towel to pat the pork shoulder dry and generously season all sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

sear pork shoulder

Once the oil and pan are hot, sear the roast for 5 to 6 minutes, or until a deep golden crust forms on all sides.

seared pork shoulder. in slow cooker

Reduce the heat under the pan to medium-low and transfer the seared pork shoulder to your slow cooker.

sauté onions

Add the chopped onion to the pan, scraping up any leftover browned bits stuck on the bottom of the pan.

add sauce

Lastly stir in the sauce.

transfer to slow cooker

cover and cook

Pour the saucy onions over top of the pork shoulder before covering and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high heat for 6 to 8 hours.

cooked pork shoulder

Once cooked, transfer the pork to a cutting board, the pork will be fall-apart tender so this may take several attempts.

shred pork and skim fat off sauce before adding back in

Discard the bone, and any fatty pieces and then shred the pork with 2 forks. Skim off excess fat from the liquids in the slow cooker before adding the shredded pork back into your slow cooker, to keep it moist. Toss to coat and season with salt to taste.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

To Serve:

Toast the pretzel rolls or any good sturdy roll and pile high with the pulled pork, a little or a lot of barbecue sauce and crisp cool coleslaw. For the slaw, I just used pre-shredded coleslaw mix and added my greek yogurt slaw dressing. But my recipe for traditional coleslaw dressing is equally delicious. Typically I serve these sandwiches with kettle chips and dill pickle spears, but if you’re doing the whole Labor Day spread, then maybe add baked beans and mac and cheese to the menu? Either way, you and your guests are going to love these saucy sandwiches!

Our favorite Barbecue Sauces For Pulled Pork:

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

These sandwiches have SO much flavor! The pork alone is mouthwatering delicious and with the extra zhuzh from bbq sauce and slaw = fantastic!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

For more slow cooker recipes Click Here!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Enjoy! And if you give these Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

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Yield: 16 servings

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This Labor Day should be labor-less by whipping up these crowd pleasing Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches! Pork shoulder is cooked low and slow until fall-apart tender. Top toasted pretzel rolls with the warm pulled pork, barbecue sauce and a crisp cool coleslaw for one delicious meal! 

Ingredients

FOR THE PULLED PORK:

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 6 pound pork shoulder, bone-in
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 cup yellow onion, diced

Instructions 

  • Pull the pork shoulder out of the fridge 30 minutes prior.
  • Heat oil in a large stainless or cast iron skillet on mied-high heat.
  • Season all sides of the pork shoulder with salt and pepper. Once the skillet is hot, seaar the pork for 5 minutes on all sides. Then remove to your slow cooker and reduce the temperature under the pan to medium.
  • Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine ketchup, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, paprika, chipotle powder, garlic powder, dry mustard, cumin and smoked paprika. Whisk well to combine.
  • After the pork has seared, add the chopped onion to the skillet and use a wooden spatulat to scrape up any bits stck to the bottom of the pan. Add the onions to the sauce and pour over the pork.
  • Cover and cook on low heat (recommended) for 8-10 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours.
  • When the pork is cooked and falling a part, use tongs to transfer it to a large carving board. With 2 fork shred the pork. Skim any excess fat from the sauce before return the pork to the liquids in the slow cooker. Toss to coat and season with salt to taste.**
  • Serve on toasted rolls with barbecue sauce and coleslaw.

Notes

Optional sides: kettle cooked chips, pickle spears, mac and cheese or baked beans. Links for recipes in above post.
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on SimplyScratch.com should only be used as a general guideline.
Serving: 1sandwich, Calories: 193kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 209mg, Potassium: 451mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 189IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 2mg

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches