A slow cooker and a handful of ingredients are all you need to make Root Beer Pulled Pork. This tender fall-apart pork is begging to be piled onto buns and served with coleslaw! You’ll love this flavorful BBQ inspired meal.
Pulled pork is a favorite at our house. And using root beer in the slow cooker with the meat creates a tender, juicy result. You could also swap it out for Coca cola too!
This recipe was originally published in July 2013. The recipe notes were updated and the photos improved in February 2025.
Aimee’s Recipe Notes
Taste & Texture: Tender, juicy pulled pork with a sweetness from root beer and a tangy kick from the BBQ sauce.
Ease of Making: You only need FIVE ingredients (and that includes salt & pepper).
Cooking Method: Set it and forget it! After adding everything to the slow cooker, walk away while it cooks to perfection.
Top Tip: After shredding the pork, return it to the slow cooker to soak up all the flavorful juices. For a twist, try using Coca-Cola instead of root beer.
Only 5 Ingredients
- Root Beer. Any brand of root beer works here. I use regular root beer for the sweetness, but diet root beer may be used as well. The acid in the root beer helps break down the proteins in the meat resulting in an extra juicy, tender pulled pork!
- BBQ sauce. I typically use bottled sauce when making pulled pork. If you have a favorite homemade version, that would be delicious here too.
- Salt & Pepper. A little coarse kosher salt and some pepper add the perfect flavor!
Pork Shoulder. For this recipe, you’ll need boneless or bone-in pork shoulder. Shoulder is available in both bone-in and boneless cuts, either work for this slow cooker recipe.
Pork Butt vs. Pork Shoulder: Pork Butt (ironically it’s still from the shoulder) is also commonly used in pulled pork. However, it is a tougher cut of meat and needs a longer cooking time. Since we’ll be cooking this in the slow cooker you could opt for a pork butt.
Tips & Tricks
- Whisk together the marinade first. Add all the sauce ingredients and the root beer to the bottom of your slow cooker. Whisk them together before adding the pork so the meat gets evenly marinated.
- Shred with forks. After the pork is done cooking, remove it from the pot and shred it in a separate bowl. Then, add it back to the slow cooker to recombine with the marinade.
- Substitute. Use Coca-Cola instead of root beer for a similar flavor and texture!
In a hurry? Check out this Instant Pot Pulled Pork for a quicker pork recipe! Or try my Hawaiian inspired pulled pork which is delicious too!
Serving Suggestions
- Sandwiches. Layer pulled pork on toasted hamburger buns, Kaiser Rolls, sliced artisan bread, or sweet Hawaiian rolls. Top with onions, lettuce and all your favorite sandwich fixings.
- Sliders. These easy pulled pork sliders are delicious for game day snacking!
- Mashed potatoes. This pulled pork is delicious ladled over mashed potatoes with a bit of extra BBQ sauce.
- Coleslaw. We always serve our pork with homemade coleslaw. Whether you like our traditional version or our KFC coleslaw, slop some on top of your sandwich!
- Pizza. Add this pork to a cheesy crust for a “Nashville style” pizza! Or use it on my Hawaiian Pizza instead of our Kalua Pork!
- Salads. Leftover pulled pork makes a simple lunchtime green salad more exciting. Toss with ranch dressing and other fresh veggies.
More Pork Recipes
If you love shredded pork, be sure to try my tender pork ragu served over noodles next!
My Baked Pork Chops recipe features thick cut breaded pork chops that are juicy and tender.
These Instant Pot Pork Chops are made in minutes and have a delicious mushroom gravy too.
My grandma always made these Breaded Pork Chops with Peaches for Sunday supper!
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Root Beer Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pound pork shoulder
- 12 ounce Root Beer
- 1 cup BBQ sauce any variety
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, whisk together the root beer, BBQ sauce, salt and pepper. Add pork shoulder. Heat on low for about 8 hours.
- Shred pork with two forks and return to sauce.
- Serve on a bun with additional BBQ sauce, if desired.
Notes
- Whisk together the marinade first. Add all the sauce ingredients and the root beer to the bottom of your slow cooker. Whisk them together before adding the pork so the meat gets evenly marinated.
- Shred with forks. After the pork is done cooking, remove it from the pot and shred it in a separate bowl. Then, add it back to the slow cooker to recombine with the marinade.
- Substitute. Use Coca-Cola instead of root beer for a similar flavor and texture!
- Storage. Keep leftover pork in a covered container int he refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat and enjoy.
- Freeze. Use a vacuum sealer or airtight container to store leftover pulled pork in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight.
Nutrition
More Slow Cooker Recipes
A perfect easy weeknight meal! Prep this Slow cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork in the morning and it’s ready to serve by dinner time!
Definitely this root beer pork, yum!
Oh Boy! What WOULDN”T I cook in this baby??? That pulled pork recipe looks divine…I’ll be honest and tell you that I only tried pulled pork once and it was not a pleasant experience! But I saw what the person used to ‘cook’ (take not of the quotations please!) the pulled pork, and…..well, it turned me off! lol This recipe seems incredible! I’d like to try something with chicken or turkey. Yep, I’m drooling already!
it’s amazing what these modern machines can do now…my bread machine actually makes jam! huh! who knew?? 🙂
Thanks for the chance—-my fingers, legs, eyes are crossed!
Jam in a bread machine? I had no idea….
Love not having to turn on the oven during hot summer days. My family loved pulled pork and we will be having this during the week with some cole slaw.
Would definitely try the pulled pork.
My family’s favorite beef and broccoli. Oh yum.
Crock pot Mac n cheese or chicken breasts to shred and freeze
The first thing I would make is the root beer pulled pork.
I am always looking for pork recipes that are not dry.
I would definitely try this The Root Beer Pulled Pork. We will be getting together quite a bit prior to my son’s wedding and this a perfect way to serve a great meal and not have to be standing at the stove all day!
It’s been so hot lately that I haven’t been baking at all, and I really miss it. I’d love to try baking cupcakes in the Ninja. Imagine–homemade cupcakes without turning on the oven!
This is one of my favorite BBQ recipes!!! Even my picky daughter loves it. The Ninja system would be a great addition to my kitchen. Being a teacher, It is important for me to have meals that come together quickly.
Slow cooked pork is my favorite dinner! It always turns out moist and flavorful.
venison chili
I would make a roast or a dessert.
I love pulled pork, can’t wait to try this recipe.
I’ve been needing a new slow cooker to try my mom’s roast beef!!
I love slow cooker recipes but I have to admit that I would want to try baking cupcakes in it! Would it work?>?>
Actually if I won the Ninja…the first thing I would make is this Root Beer Pulled Pork because it sounds wonderful, and I love pulled pork 🙂 Hugs n Blessings, rose
I’d love to try this pulled pork in the Ninja slowcooker. Pulled pork is the reason I’m not vegetarian…
I think that the first thing that I would do with this slow cooker is to try out the bake function. Chocolate cupcakes are calling my name!
I would like fixing any kind of ‘one meal’ dish with meat, potatoes, and vegetables in a crockpot.