This BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal! Slow cooked to perfection, this pork is tender, juicy, and infused with the sweet and smoky flavors of root beer and barbecue sauce. Perfect for sandwiches, sliders, weeknight dinner or meal prepping, this dish is an effortless way to feed a crowd with minimal effort.
The rich, caramel notes of the root beer enhance the pork’s natural flavors, creating a delicious balance of sweetness and smokiness. As it simmers low and slow, the meat becomes irresistibly tender, making it easy to shred and perfect for piling onto buns, topping baked potatoes, or serving alongside classic barbecue sides.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer
- More Recipes You Will Love
- How to Store BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer
- What to Serve with BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer
- Top Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer
- More Recipes You Will Love
- BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer Recipe
Easy slow-cooking dishes are perfect for busy weeknights, serving a crowd or just to simplify meals and snacks for the whole family! Here are some other crock pot recipes that you might enjoy: Velveeta Mac and Cheese, Split Pea Soup, Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Spiked Apple Cider, Hot Chocolate, and Turkey Stock.
Why You Will Love This BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer
- Hands-Off Cooking: Let the slow cooker do all the work while you go about your day.
- Sweet & Savory Flavor: Root beer adds a unique sweetness that balances the tangy BBQ sauce.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make ahead and enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
- Great for Gatherings: Ideal for potlucks, parties, or game day spreads.
- Customizable: Serve on buns, over rice, or in tacos for versatile meals.
- Extra Flavor: For some additional flavors, add a pinch of garlic salt or garlic powder, onion powder and/or black pepper.
Ingredients
With just 3 basic ingredients, you will be in and out of the store and ready to make this root beer pulled pork recipe.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Boneless Pork Shoulder: A great meat for slow cooking, as the fat helps it to break down and keeps the meat tender. I have made this recipe with a bone-in pork butt as well.
- Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce: Any favorite will do; we love a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce to balance the sweetness in the root beer in this recipe.
- Root Beer: Helps break down and tenderize the meat while adding sweetness and caramelizes to seal in flavor. We used regular but you could try it with a diet soda.
For this easy slow cooker recipe, you'll want to have on hand a slow cooker and measuring cups.
Substitutions and Variations
Love this recipe but want to make it your own? Here are some helpful ideas for you to change this BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer for your own easy meal.
- Meat Swap: Use pork loin for a leaner version or chicken breasts for a lighter alternative.
- BBQ Sauce Variety: Swap Sweet Baby Ray’s for any bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce, including homemade versions.
- Different Soda: Try Dr Pepper or Coca-Cola for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Extra Heat: Add chili powder, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper for a spicier kick.
- Extra Sweetness: Use some brown sugar for additional sweetness and deeper caramel flavors.
How to Make BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer
Check out how simple it was to make this pulled pork recipe with root beer.
Add roast, root beer and barbeque sauce in a lightly greased slow cooker base.
Cover and cook on low heat for 10 hours without opening the lid during cook time.
Once cooked, cut off the string and shred with two forks. If desired, add any extra sauce to the cooking liquid or when serving.
Hint: Keeping the lid on ensures even cooking and tender meat.
More Recipes You Will Love
How to Store BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer
Slow cooker meals are great for the whole family, large gatherings or to use as part of a weekly meal prep. Here are some ways you can store this easy slow cooker recipe.
- Refrigerator: Once cooled, place in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Place in a freezer-safe container this pulled pork can last up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
- Reheating: Warm up incrementally in the microwave or on the stovetop on medium-low. You may want to add a little root beer, stock or water to add a little extra moisture if needed.
What to Serve with BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer
- Coleslaw: A creamy or tangy slaw balances the richness of the pork.
- Cornbread: A classic side that pairs well with the smoky flavors.
- Baked Beans: Adds a hearty, slightly sweet contrast.
- Mac and Cheese: The ultimate comfort food pairing. The intense flavors of our baked white cheddar Mac and cheese pair perfectly with this dish.
- Grilled Corn on the Cob: A smoky, slightly charred side that complements the dish.
- Potato Salad: A creamy, cool contrast to the warm BBQ flavors.
- Slider Variations: Serve our pulled pork on Hawaiian rolls or on hamburger buns to mix up your style of slider.
Top Tips
Pulled pork is such an easy recipe to make, but here are some ways to help you make the best recipe you can.
- Shred with Two Forks: For the best texture, pull the meat apart gently.
- Let It Soak: Stir the shredded pork back into the sauce for extra moisture and flavor.
- Cook Low & Slow: Cooking on low for 10 hours yields the most tender results.
- Toast the Buns: A lightly toasted bun adds a great texture contrast on pulled pork sandwiches.
Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer
Do you have questions about BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer.
Yes! While root beer is traditional, you can substitute it with other sodas like Dr. Pepper or Coca Cola for a slightly different flavor profile. The soda helps tenderize the meat and adds sweetness to the sauce.
The best cut for pulled pork is a pork shoulder or "blade roast". This cut is well-marbled with fat, which breaks down during slow cooking and gives you tender, juicy meat. Avoid using lean cuts, as they can turn out dry.
Yes! Pulled pork actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have time to meld. After shredding, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
More Recipes You Will Love
Check out some more of our recipes you will want to try!
Ready to get cooking? Save time by having a grocery list automatically generate for you by clicking the "Add to Shopping List" below.
BBQ Pulled Pork in Crock Pot with Root Beer Recipe
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Measuring Cups
Ingredients
- 3 pound boneless pork shoulder blade roast
- 1 cup root beer
- 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbeque Sauce or more if desired
Instructions
- Add roast, root beer and barbeque sauce in a lightly greased slow cooker base.
- Cover and cook on low for 10 hours without opening the lid during cook time.
- Once cooked, cut off the string and shred with two forks. If desired, add any extra sauce to the slow cooker or when serving.
Notes
- Keeping the lid on ensures even cooking and tender meat.
- For the best texture, pull the meat apart gently.
- Stir the shredded pork back into the sauce for extra moisture and flavor
- Cooking on low for 10 hours yields the most tender results
- If serving on buns, lightly toast it to add a texture contrast.
Nutrition
We would be so grateful for you to leave us a rating and review on any recipes you try. If you make any alterations, let us know how they turned out.
Karina says
Pulled pork is one of our favorite dishes. I never thought about making it with Root Beer. Love all the side dish ideas to serve it with.
Eva Filer says
It is a nice way to mix it up! Glad you found the post helpful.
Eva Filer says
Slow cooker meals are such wonderful additions to the week - this pulled pork has so much flavor! Perfect to bring along to a BBQ with some buns for everyone to enjoy!
Abi says
What a fantastic recipe! Perfect for summer parties!
Eva Filer says
Such an easy one too, and so full of flavor!