Let me share with you a recipe that has quickly become a staple in my kitchen: Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork with 3 Ingredients Recipe. It’s ridiculously easy, requires minimal prep, and delivers that melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork flavor we all crave. Whether you’re a slow cooker newbie or a seasoned pro, this recipe will save your busy days while impressing your family and friends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simplicity at Its Best: Just three ingredients and your slow cooker do all the work—no fuss, no mess.
- Unbeatable Flavor: The combo of root beer and BBQ sauce creates a sweet, tangy glaze that seeps right into the pork.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s easy to make ahead and great for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings.
- Family Favorite: My family literally goes crazy for this, especially served piled high on soft buns.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about the Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork with 3 Ingredients Recipe is you only need a handful of items, and they all play nicely together to create something special. You’ll find that using root beer adds a subtle sweetness without being overpowering, which pairs perfectly with the BBQ sauce.
- Pork Butt (Boneless): This cut is perfect for slow cooking because it breaks down wonderfully, resulting in juicy, tender pulled pork.
- Sweet BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite brand or homemade sauce; it adds a delicious tangy-sweet layer of flavor.
- Root Beer: Yes, root beer! It’s a secret ingredient that helps tenderize the pork and lends a gentle caramelized sweetness.
Variations
I love to make this my own depending on the mood or season. You can easily tweak this dish to keep things fresh or accommodate dietary needs without losing the soul of the recipe.
- Smoky Kick: Adding a teaspoon of smoked paprika or chipotle powder to the BBQ sauce before cooking ups the smoky flavor — my husband swears by it!
- Spicy Version: Stir in some hot sauce or cayenne pepper if you want to turn up the heat a bit; just make sure to balance the sweetness with a little more root beer.
- Coleslaw Topper: Serve with creamy coleslaw right on top for a classic Southern-style pulled pork sandwich experience.
- Low-Sugar: Pick a sugar-free BBQ sauce and diet root beer for a lighter version, and it still tastes fantastic!
How to Make Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork with 3 Ingredients Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Layer Your Ingredients
First, grab your 3-pound boneless pork butt and place it right into the slow cooker. Don’t worry about trimming excess fat — that’s where much of the flavor develops! Pour the entire 12 ounces of root beer over the pork. This is the magic ingredient that helps tenderize the meat.
Step 2: Add the BBQ Sauce and Set It to Cook
Next, pour 18 ounces of your favorite sweet BBQ sauce evenly over the pork and root beer. Cover the slow cooker, set it to low, and let it work its magic for about nine hours. At this point, you can walk away and let busy life take over — it’s truly that easy.
Step 3: Shred and Serve
When cooking time is up, remove the pork and drain the cooking liquid. You can shred the pork right in the slow cooker or transfer it to a large bowl — just use two forks or meat claws to pull the meat apart. If you want, heat the drained liquid on the stove to reduce it by half; I do this often because it concentrates the flavors. Pour some of that reduced sauce back over the pork for extra moisture and flavor.
Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork with 3 Ingredients Recipe
- Don’t Skip the Root Beer: It might sound strange, but the carbonation and sweetness help break down the pork fibers, making it extra tender and juicy.
- Low and Slow Is Key: Cooking on low heat for nine hours ensures the pork shreds easily without drying out — trust me on this!
- Use a Fork or Meat Claws: I recommend using two forks or dedicated meat claws for shredding—it’s faster and gives you those perfect pulled pork strands.
- Reduce the Cooking Liquid: Heating the leftover liquid on the stove until reduced by half intensifies the flavor and keeps your pulled pork moist without watering down the sauce.
How to Serve Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork with 3 Ingredients Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping my pulled pork with bright, crunchy coleslaw—it adds a refreshing contrast to the smoky sweetness. Pickles are another trusty companion that give a nice tangy zing. Don’t shy away from fresh herbs like chopped cilantro or even a sprinkle of green onions for a pop of color and flavor.
Side Dishes
For sides, you really can’t go wrong with classic BBQ accompaniments — creamy mac and cheese, buttery corn on the cob, or baked beans are all crowd-pleasers. I’ve also served this with roasted sweet potatoes and a crisp garden salad for a lighter twist.
Creative Ways to Present
One of my favorite ways to serve this pulled pork is in mini slider buns at parties — it’s fun, easy to grab, and everyone gets to pile on the toppings they love. I’ve even used it as a filling for stuffed peppers or on top of nachos for a BBQ twist on game day snacks.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying dinner, just let the pulled pork cool and transfer leftovers to an airtight container. It keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I always store the reduced sauce separately and mix it back in when reheating, so the pork stays juicy.
Freezing
I’ve frozen pulled pork before with great results. Portion it out into freezer bags or containers, label with the date, and it’ll last for 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Reheating
When reheating, I like to warm the pork slowly over low heat on the stovetop with a splash of water or extra BBQ sauce to prevent drying out. Covering the pan helps trap moisture. Microwave reheating works too—just heat in short bursts and stir in between.
FAQs
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Can I use bone-in pork butt instead of boneless?
Absolutely! Bone-in pork butt will work well; you might just need to cook it an hour or so longer to ensure it’s tender enough to shred. Just remove the bone before shredding the meat.
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What kind of root beer is best to use?
I recommend using a naturally brewed root beer without artificial sweeteners for the best flavor. Classic brands like Barq’s or A&W work perfectly, but feel free to experiment with your favorite.
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Can I make this recipe in an instant pot instead?
You sure can! Use the sauté function to brown the pork briefly if you like, add the root beer and BBQ sauce, then cook on high pressure for about 60 minutes followed by a natural release for tender, shreddable pork.
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Is there a way to make this recipe less sweet?
Yes! You can opt for a tangier BBQ sauce or reduce the amount slightly. Also, choosing a root beer with less sugar or substituting with a low-sugar soda can help balance the sweetness.
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How do I know when the pork is done?
When the pork is fork-tender and easily falls apart with little effort, it’s done. The slow cooker low setting for nine hours is usually perfect, but if your pork is thicker, give it a little extra time.
Final Thoughts
This Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork with 3 Ingredients Recipe has truly become one of those recipes I reach for again and again. It’s just so comforting, easy, and endlessly adaptable — a real crowd-pleaser that doesn’t require a ton of effort. I hope you find as much joy making and eating it as my family does. Seriously, invite a few friends over, make a big batch, and watch everyone go back for seconds. You’ll thank me later!
Print
Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork with 3 Ingredients Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 hours
- Total Time: 9 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy and flavorful Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Pork recipe uses just three simple ingredients to create tender, juicy pulled pork. Slow-cooked to perfection with root beer and BBQ sauce, it’s an effortless dish ideal for sandwiches, dinners, or game day gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless pork butt
- 18 ounces sweet BBQ sauce
- 12 ounces root beer
- 10 ounces sweet BBQ sauce (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pork: Place the 3 pounds of boneless pork butt into the crock pot, ensuring it fits comfortably in the slow cooker insert.
- Add Liquids: Pour the 12 ounces of root beer evenly over the pork to infuse sweetness and tenderness during cooking.
- Apply BBQ Sauce: Pour the 18 ounces of sweet BBQ sauce over the pork and root beer, covering the meat as much as possible.
- Cook Slowly: Close the lid and set the crock pot to cook on low heat for 9 hours, allowing the pork to cook until tender and easily shredded.
- Shred the Pork: Once cooked, carefully drain the cooking liquid. Using two forks or meat claws, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces.
- Optional Sauce Reduction: For more flavor, pour the discarded liquid into a saucepan, heat on the stovetop, and simmer until reduced by 50%. Pour some of this concentrated sauce back over the shredded pork to enhance taste and moisture.
- Serve: If desired, top with the additional 10 ounces of sweet BBQ sauce before serving. Perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or on its own.
Notes
- Reducing the cooking liquid adds rich flavor and helps moisten the shredded pork.
- Use a quality sweet BBQ sauce for best results.
- Root beer tenderizes the pork while adding a slight caramel sweetness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 6 oz)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
