BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Monday, February 18, 2013

Slow Cooker Beer Pulled Pork [BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches]

Posted by Cassie / 64 comments » / Burgers/Sandwiches, Main Dishes, Pork

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

BBQ is always something that I have preferred to eat at a restaurant. In Kansas City, we were surrounded by excellent BBQ. Not to mention, anytime we wanted to drive about an hour, we could have an excellent meal of pulled pork, burnt ends or ribs and sides at my Dad’s BBQ restaurant.

So, what to do when you move away from the BBQ capital and you are craving some savory pulled pork? You turn to your trusty friend the slow cooker and it’s side-kick beer.

Slow Cooker Beer Pulled Pork [BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches]

It was our second Saturday in our new home. It was cold, we had house projects to tackle and just needed a little taste of home. Luckily, we had some Gates BBQ sauce in the fridge and some slow-cooked pork butt sounded just right.

The flavors in the pulled pork are simple – liquid smoke is my “secret” when it comes to cooking meat in the slow cooker – it gives it that “straight from the smoker” taste, without actually having to use a smoker. Add in lots of salt, garlic and onions and your favorite beer and in a few hours, your kitchen will smell amazing and the pork will literally just fall apart. It took me right back to Kansas City without so much as leaving my own kitchen.

If you aren’t a fan of BBQ sauce, feel free to leave it out and make pulled pork tacos, pizza, nachos, or even fajitas! I made the beer pulled pork on a Saturday. That night, we ate pork fajitas; served the pork with tortillas, sautéed bell peppers, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, salsa and chips.

The following day, I reheated the pork in a large pot, added the BBQ sauce and we ate the sandwiches…and then still had leftovers for a couple of days. We ate the leftover BBQ pulled pork in quesadillas and on nachos. Next time I’ll try pizza!

Slow Cooker Beer Pulled Pork

Print Save

Slow Cooker Beer Pulled Pork & BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Yield: 8 servings + leftovers

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 8 hours

Pork butt which has been slow cooked with beer and lots of flavor and then shredded, smothered in BBQ sauce, and sandwiched between two buns with onions and pickles

Ingredients:

for the beer pulled pork:
1-2 Tbs. oil
5 pound bone-in pork butt roast
12 ounces beer
1 Tbs. soy sauce
2 tsp. liquid smoke
2 shallots, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. cumin

for the BBQ sandwiches:
2 cups BBQ sauce + more for serving
sandwich buns of your choice
thinly sliced red onions
dill pickles

Directions:

Trim the excess fat from the pork roast. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on one side for 2-3 minutes, and then on the other side for an additional 2 minutes.

Place the roast in the crock of a slow cooker. Pour in the beer, soy sauce, liquid smoke, shallots, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and cumin and stir.

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 6 hours.

Remove the roast from the slow cooker and place on a rimmed baking sheet – mine started for fall apart on its own so if that happens, just fish out as much meat as you can. Discard the fatty pieces and the bone and then, using two forks, shred the meat. Ladle two to three ladles of the juice on the meat to keep it moist.

Combine the pulled pork with 1 cup of the BBQ sauce and stir to distribute. Add more (about 1 cup) until all of the meat is covered in sauce. Serve with sandwich buns, onions and pickles and extra BBQ sauce.

Cassie's Notes:
I made the beer pulled pork on a Saturday. That night, we ate pork fajitas; served the pork with tortillas, sautéed bell peppers, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, salsa and chips.

The following day, I reheated the pork in a large pot, added the BBQ sauce and we ate the sandwiches...and then still had leftovers for a couple of days. We ate the leftover BBQ pulled pork in quesadillas and on nachos. Next time I'll try pizza!

You Might Also Like...

64 Responses to “Slow Cooker Beer Pulled Pork [BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches]”

1

Jen @ Savory Simple — February 18, 2013 @ 7:10 am

The slow cooker is pretty much the only way I cook BBQ at home, otherwise I prefer to order it out as well. I love the idea of adding liquid smoke!
2

Liz @ The Lemon Bowl — February 18, 2013 @ 7:16 am

I’m so glad you got the Pork Sandwich Monday Memo!! PS: This looks insanely delicious!! I could eat BBQ pork any day of the week.
3

Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — February 18, 2013 @ 7:30 am

I wish it were lunchtime! It’s torture thinking about this food and not having any.
4

Erin | The Law Student's Wife — February 18, 2013 @ 7:37 am

We have been craving tastes that remind us of summer around here (mojitos and indoor “grilled” chicken burgers last night), and BBQ pulled pork is a dish that transports me to warmer days. You know your BBQ, KC gal. I have no doubt this recipe is pure gold!
5

Liz — February 18, 2013 @ 7:41 am

looks soooo good!
6

Jenny @ BAKE — February 18, 2013 @ 7:53 am

beer pulled pork! incredible!
7

Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama — February 18, 2013 @ 8:08 am

Oh my goodness I could go for some bbq right about now. These look awesome Cassie!
8

Amanda — February 18, 2013 @ 8:10 am

I am making this next time we do pork in the slow cooker! I have always wanted to try KC BBQ, and now I feel like I have a chance!
9

Aimee @ ShugarySweets — February 18, 2013 @ 8:20 am

These look delicious Cassie!!!
10

Quinn Harper — February 18, 2013 @ 8:21 am

Can’t wait to try this version Cassie. I have been using my crock pot all winter and love doing pulled pork and chicken.
11

Sommer@ASpicyPerspective — February 18, 2013 @ 8:30 am

Wish I could pull this together for lunch today… maybe for tomorrow! Looks so good.
12

Bev @ Bev Cooks — February 18, 2013 @ 8:33 am

Yeysyeyseysyeyseysyesyeys.
13

Meagan @ A Zesty Bite — February 18, 2013 @ 8:47 am

My husband would love to be eating this today! Living in Texas makes you really cherish and love anything BBQ!
14

Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats — February 18, 2013 @ 8:53 am

oh my! I LOVE that addition of liquid smoke, what a great idea! I want this so bad today now!
15

Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen — February 18, 2013 @ 8:56 am

This looks wonderful! I do love barbecue and I think it is so awesome that your family has a bbq restaurant.
16

Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain — February 18, 2013 @ 9:21 am

Mmmmm…I really need a couple of these bad boys! Love that we are both channeling the barbecue today!
17

Audra | The Baker Chick — February 18, 2013 @ 9:23 am

I didn’t know your Dad had a restaurant- mine too! I bet this gave you a taste for amazing BBQ- which must make this amazing! I love love love making pulled meats in my slow cooker- this recipe looks outstanding!
18

Joanne — February 18, 2013 @ 9:34 am

Back when I still ate meat, I made slow cooker pulled pork quite a bit! It really is the only way to get good bbq at home!
19

Robyn | Add a Pinch — February 18, 2013 @ 9:54 am

We are major pulled pork fans and your sandwiches look delicious!YUM!
20

sally @ sallys baking addiction — February 18, 2013 @ 10:02 am

Cassie, I just made us pulled chicken sandwiches last night. Why oh why didn’t I add beer to the mix? I love pulled chicken and pulled pork so much. We didn’t have pork in the fridge, so that’s why we went with pulled chicken. This is our kind of meal!! I love how it smells when it cooks
21

Shanna@ pineapple and coconut — February 18, 2013 @ 10:17 am

I am all over this recipe. We make slow cooker pork all the time, but I always stick to my basic HAwaiian style Kalua pork. Adding in beer – my husband will LOVE!!! Me too!
22

claire @ the realistic nutritionist — February 18, 2013 @ 11:09 am

Beer and pork, what’s not to love?
23

Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet — February 18, 2013 @ 11:10 am

KC bbq is the best! These sandwiches sound amazing! I am totally going to add beer next time! Thanks, Cassie!
24

Carla @ Carlas Confections — February 18, 2013 @ 11:14 am

This is absolutely one of my favorite crock pot meals. I have never made the pork with beer though. I think that is going to be my next adventure
25

Paula - bell'alimento — February 18, 2013 @ 11:27 am

Girl I am drooling. Want. Now. Badly.
26

Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough — February 18, 2013 @ 11:31 am

This is pretty much the kind of thing I crave, like, every day, all the time. So yeah. SO making this ASAP!
27

Jackie @ Domestic FIts — February 18, 2013 @ 11:58 am

Beautiful Cassie! I have to try this and maybe my slow cooker and I will be friends again Looks delicious.
28

Kansas Bob — February 18, 2013 @ 12:01 pm

We had Carolina pulled pork at OK Joes last week Cassie. I am thinking that they have nothing on you.
29

Kathryn — February 18, 2013 @ 12:11 pm

I love pulled pork and this has given me a serious craving. It looks incredible.
30

Jennifer @ Mother Thyme — February 18, 2013 @ 12:17 pm

Mmmm, we love pulled pork. Love all the flavor in this recipe!
31

amanda @ fake ginger — February 18, 2013 @ 12:33 pm

Love pulled pork! I need to remember the liquid smoke next time I make it.
32

Laura (Tutti Dolci) — February 18, 2013 @ 12:39 pm

I’m now officially craving BBQ!
33

Cookbook Queen — February 18, 2013 @ 1:15 pm

This is my husband’s FAVORITE meal. I can’t wait to make this for him!!
34

Laurie {Simply Scratch} — February 18, 2013 @ 1:59 pm

How cool to have a BBQ joint in the family! I’m a little jealous! This sound fabulous Cassie! {ps thanks for linking my sauce XO}
35

natalie@thesweetslife — February 18, 2013 @ 2:50 pm

i am seriously obsessed with pulled pork lately! i usually stick to sandwiches but i’m dying to try it on nachos!
36

Tracey — February 18, 2013 @ 3:12 pm

Pulled pork is my very favorite thing to make in my slow cooker! Those sandwiches look so good, I’m totally craving bbq pork now
37

carrian — February 18, 2013 @ 4:03 pm

How stinking cool are you guys? I’m totally wishing we were having this for dinner.
38

a farmer in the dell — February 18, 2013 @ 6:58 pm

these sound great. I need to dust off my crock pot and use it more often!
39

Sandy @ RE — February 18, 2013 @ 7:09 pm

These are my favorites at parties. So easy to make, and so yummy to eat!
40

Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs — February 18, 2013 @ 7:38 pm

Oh girl, I miss KC BBQ. The North Carolina style sure is different!
41

Julie @ Table for Two — February 18, 2013 @ 7:57 pm

I love slow cooker BBQ!! It’s so easy and the best. i swear the meat is just so moist and juicy! i love that this always makes a ton too so you can make so many variety of dishes with it!
42

Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles — February 18, 2013 @ 8:45 pm

I could eat bbq pulled pork every other day. Love that texture and flavor – yours looks delish!
43

Megan {Country Cleaver} — February 18, 2013 @ 9:22 pm

I love good BBQ but can’t find it for the life of me up here. I need to give this a shot to fill the void! Gorgeous!
44

Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife — February 18, 2013 @ 9:43 pm

How would we ever get by without our slow cookers? This pork looks fabulous!
45

Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. — February 19, 2013 @ 12:45 am

I love making pulled pork in the slow cooker! I need to add some beer next time, haven’t tried that yet!
46

Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious — February 19, 2013 @ 12:51 am

Oh my – this is definitely my kind of sandwich! I just stocked up on my FAVORITE bbq sauce (from Phil’s BBQ in San Diego) so you know I’ll be making these very soon!
47

Caroline @ chocolate & carrots — February 19, 2013 @ 8:18 am

Being a flexitarian I very rarely eat pork, but when I do, I always have it as bbq. I actually made it at home for the first time a few months ago. Your recipes looks absolutely devine!
48

steph@stephsbitebybite — February 19, 2013 @ 8:25 am

I’ve got lasagna on the menu for tonight’s dinner…but now that sounds like poo. I want these instead!!
49

Amber @ Sprinkled With Flour — February 19, 2013 @ 10:49 am

Gotta love a good bbq sauce, Cassie this one looks so goooood! I think I need to pull out my slow cooker…and some chicken….and get to making THIS asap!
50

amy @ fearless homemaker — February 19, 2013 @ 12:41 pm

I love slow-cooker pulled pork! So easy to make and SO delicious. YUM!
51

Reem | Simply Reem — February 19, 2013 @ 12:52 pm

YES!!!!
I love bbq sauce… I can bath in it… I know that is weird..LOL
Anyways this looks fantastic…. I really need to pull out my slow cooker!
52

Erin @ Texanerin Baking — February 19, 2013 @ 1:06 pm

Slow cooker pulled pork is the only way I’m going to get it here! So yeah, liquid smoke! Woohoo. I have eight bottles stashed away.

This looks amazing! I haven’t used beer before. Sounds like it’d add an interesting twist.
53

Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts — February 19, 2013 @ 4:18 pm

Love bbq pork – I use liquid smoke too, amazing flavors. Your sandwiches look wonderful!
54

Noble Pig - Cathy Pollak — February 19, 2013 @ 4:58 pm

Super…super..yum. One of my fave things to eat.
55

CathieJ — February 19, 2013 @ 6:13 pm

Love that you give alternate ways to serve the beer-pulled pork. My biggest problem is that I can’t think of alternative ways to serve the leftovers. Thanks so much. Can’t wait to try this.
56

Jessica — February 19, 2013 @ 7:38 pm

I am a huge Pulled Pork girl! But I usually make mine in Coke and then smother it in Sweet Baby Rays…it’s the FL way
57

Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry — February 19, 2013 @ 8:29 pm

I just made some pulled pork in the slow cooker last night! It’s the only way to do it. I’m jealous you live in Kansas City. There is no good BBQ joints in Seattle but I guess that just means I’ll have to save my pennies and make it at home.
58

Jess — February 19, 2013 @ 9:12 pm

Cassie, your dad has a barbecue restaurant? Fantastic! What a smart idea to add liquid smoke. We do lots of pulled pork, although none of it ever quite compares to getting the good stuff in KC. I’ll have to try this trick next time though.
59

Julia {The Roasted Root} — February 19, 2013 @ 9:56 pm

Drippy bbq sauce!! Ohhhhh How I love bbq sauce dripping down my pulled pork sando! Great recipe! I find crock pot pulled pork using beer as the liquid is the best pulled pork I’ve made. Love this!
60

Angie — February 20, 2013 @ 9:12 am

I NEED this pulled pork in my life now! Looks so good!
61

Rach @ This Italian Family — February 20, 2013 @ 2:18 pm

Mmm… my favorite way to make pulled pork! Love how the slow cooker does all the work for me!
62

Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon — February 21, 2013 @ 8:07 am

I love using liquid smoke! Adds such great flavor to meat and baked beans. This looks yummy!
63

Slow Cooker Beer Pulled Pork-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes — May 10, 2013 @ 4:19 am

[...] Cooker Beer Pulled Pork-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes – pork adapted from Bake Your Day, potatoes from The Novice [...]
64

pulled pork — May 12, 2013 @ 9:14 am

Hey all, You’ve got completed a wonderful career. Let me undoubtedly digg the item plus in our view advocate in order to my friends. I think they are took advantage of your blog.