BBQ Pulled Pork (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot) uses pork loin and naturally sweetened BBQ sauce for the same great flavor – without all the fat.
Lightening BBQ Pulled Pork
BBQ Pulled Pork is one of those great crowd-pleasing entrees that everyone goes wild for. Bring it to a potluck. Serve it at a party. Make a batch for the week (or to freeze for future meals). The possibilities are endless!
I know what you’re thinking – Geri, pulled pork is already SO easy to make! I know it is, which is why this recipe is SO simple. BUT, I wanted to be able to make a lightened version anyone could enjoy with all the same great flavors of your favorite BBQ joint without unnecessary sugar and fat.
For example, Lucille’s BBQ Pulled Pork is fantastic! But an 8 oz serving of pulled pork with their Memphis BBQ sauce is 522 calories. 276 of those calories come from fat alone – 31 g total. Now, you know I’m all for finding balance and being able to indulge every now and then, but if I’m making a large batch of pulled pork, I want to be able to enjoy it without the guilt.
My Slow Cooker or Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork uses lean pork loin (vs traditional pork butt/shoulder). Naturally Sweetened BBQ Sauce gives me the BBQ sauce flavor I crave, but with far less sugar and none of the nasty additives of big box market bottles. An 8 oz portion of my recipe comes out to 334 calories and only 10 g of fat. Not bad at all!
I usually only need a 4 oz serving though to feel satisfied, so that’s the serving size I calculated for this recipe (see the recipe card below).
How to Make BBQ PUlled Pork
You can make this in your preferred appliance – your trusty slow-cooker or Instant Pot. I made mine in the slow cooker for photos, but for those of you curious, this is the Instant Pot I use.
Making BBQ Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker
Trim any excess fat off your pork loin and then chop your garlic and onions. I like to spray the insert of my slow cooker with a little bit of nonstick cooking spray, just to prevent possible sticking.
Layer your garlic and onions. Place pork on top and season with salt and pepper.
Pour BBQ sauce on top.
Set slow cooker on “Low” setting for 8 hours.
When meat is fork tender, remove to large plate/cutting board and shred. Return to slow cooker and continue cooking for 30 minutes so all those juices soak into the meat. Serve with reserved BBQ sauce.
Making BBQ Pulled Pork in the Instant POt
Place ingredients in the same order as slow cooker recipe. Cover and set for 30 minutes on “High Pressure.” Allow pressure to release naturally (~15 minutes). Shred meat and return to pot. Use “Sauté” function until simmering and juices have absorbed a bit (5-10 minutes).
Ways to Serve
The obvious choice is going to be on a bun, topped with Easy Coleslaw (pictured below), but here are a few other ideas for inspiration:
- BBQ platter, alongside veggies and a scoop of Healthy Macaroni Salad or One Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Lettuce wrapped and topped with pickled red onion
- Pulled pork topped nachos, burrito bowls, or quesadillas
- BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza
- Pulled pork tacos topped with Pineapple and Watermelon Salsa
- Loaded Baked Potatoes
The possibilities are endless!
It also freezes beautifully! This recipe makes 12 servings. I freeze mine in quart or gallon Ziplocs. I love being able to thaw and throw together a delicious and easy meal, don’t you?
More Easy Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Recipes
- BBQ Pulled Chicken (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)
- Slow Cooker Carnitas
- Mexican Shredded Chicken
- French Dip Sandwiches
Have you made This BBQ Pulled Pork?
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Recipe modified on 8/6/22 to include updated photos and recipe description. Originally published 6/11/18.
BBQ Pulled Pork (Slow Cooker and Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 3 lbs trimmed pork loin (if your loin has a lot of fat on it, make sure you buy one that is about 3 1/2 pounds, as you'll trim quite a bit of fat off)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 recipe Naturally-Sweetened BBQ Sauce, divided (about 2 cups)
Instructions
- Spray the pot of your slow cooker/Instant Pot with nonstick spray. Spread onion and garlic in a layer on the bottom of slow cooker or Instant Pot.
- Place pork on top of garlic and onions, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour 1/2 of the BBQ sauce on top of pork (about 1 cup).
- Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours in your slow cooker, or 45 minutes at high pressure in your Instant Pot (use natural pressure release for about 10 minutes).
- Shred pork with forks, then recover and cook for another 30 minutes in your slow cooker. If using an Instant Pot, cook on Saute for 5-10 minutes, until juices absorb a bit.
- Serve with extra BBQ sauce on top.
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This was delicious especially made with your homemade BBQ sauce. That sauce is a definite keeper so easy and so delicious even the hubby liked it and he’s not a fan of BBQ sauce. Thanks for all your hard work!
Hi Joanne, happy you enjoyed it! I know it’s an extra step, but I agree that making your own BBQ sauce is SO worth it 😀