4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork

Name: Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 490 min
Ingredients: 3 lb Pork Butt; 18 oz BBQ Sauce; 1 cup Dr. Pepper; Sandwich Buns

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4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork is an easy recipe that slow cooks pork in a savory, flavorful mixture of barbecue sauce and Dr. Pepper soda. The pork soaks up all the smoky and sweet goodness, resulting in juicy, flavorful and fall-apart tender meat. Perfect for sandwiches, tacos, nachos or with your favorite sides.

Slow cooker pulled pork being lifted out of a crockpot using tongs with a bottle of dr. pepper in the background.

Table of Contents

The slow cooker is my favorite small appliance for making the perfect stress-free meal. Whether I’m making Slow Cooker Fall Off The Bone Ribs, Crockpot Boneless Turkey Breast or any of our much loved Best Slow Cooker Recipes – I’m always thankful for the meal that is ready when I am.

This Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe is an easy recipe that makes for an amazing BBQ lunch or dinner. With just 10 minutes of prep and 4 ingredients including the bun, it’s such a simple and convenient meal that is the ultimate comfort food. Another 4 ingredient recipe is our Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings.

Crockpot pulled pork has a rich, savory flavor with a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and slightly tangy notes from the barbecue sauce. The pork becomes incredibly tender as it cooks low and slow, absorbing all the flavors, making each bite juicy, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

One best part is that you can serve bbq dr pepper pulled pork in so many different ways. This set-and-forget recipe is perfect for pulled pork sandwiches, pork sliders, and pulled pork nachos for game day or gatherings.

Our Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe makes the best pulled pork for a simple weekday dinner, casual meals or entertaining.

If you’re looking for more slow cooker pulled pork recipes, and want a sweeter taste, try our BBQ Cherry Coke Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple to Make – Using just 4 simple ingredients and no need to sear the meat, this slow cooker shredded pork buns packs an unexpected punch thanks to a subtle sweetness and depth of Dr Pepper pop.
Tender, Fall-Apart Texture – Slow cooking in a mixture that gently simmers for hours results in a tender, fall-apart meat like with our Slow Cooker Apple Pork Recipe.
Versatile – This best pulled pork recipe is wonderfully adaptable – pile it high on buns, serve it over rice, or tuck it into tacos. The rich flavor profile wins over crowds at picnics, family dinners, and casual parties alike.
Great for Meal Prep – Cook and enjoy the leftovers for later! Our Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe features shredded chicken that is also great for leftovers.

Total Time: 4-8 hours

Serves: 6

pulled pork on sandwich buns in front of a slow cooker and a bottle of soda.

Ingredients and Notes

ingredients on a table to make slow cooker dr. pepper pulled pork.

BBQ Sauce – Any type or flavor will be great for dr pepper slow cooker pulled pork – from sweet and tangy, to spicy. Use your favorite barbecue sauce, try a new one, or you can even use our Homemade Keto BBQ Sauce.
Boneless Pork – Pork shoulder or pork butt is ideal for slow cooking because the marbling breaks down over time, creating juicy, flavorful pulled pork. You can use lean cuts yet it won’t yield the same tenderness.
Dr Pepper – Adds a unique, caramelized sweetness balanced with a hint of spice. If unavailable, substitute a similar cola or root beer, although the flavor complexity will be slightly different.

As always, the full ingredients and recipe is on the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Can I make pulled pork ahead of time and freeze it?

Absolutely! It’s so convenient to freeze cooked pulled pork so that you have it on hand. To freeze, allow the meat to cool and then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. To use, allow the pulled pork to thaw in the refrigerator. Then heat in the oven, on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Recipe Variations

Even though there are only 4 ingredients to make this Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork Sandwiches recipe, there is room for additions. Try any of these options below.

Add minced roasted garlic or garlic powder to your sauce.
Season your meat with salt and black pepper before adding it to the crockpot.
Add diced onion or onion powder to the sauce.
Serve with coleslaw on the bun for some crunch, tang and for sneaking in vegetables.

Slow cooker pulled pork being lifted out of a crockpot using tongs.

Tips for Success

Choose the the best cut of meat – Opt for a pork shoulder or pork butt with good marbling, as the fat renders during slow cooking, keeping the meat moist and flavorful. Trim any excess skin but leave a bit of fat to enhance the tenderness.
Don’t rush the cook – While you can cook pulled pork on high for 4 hours, low and slow is the key to perfectly tender pulled pork. Cook on low heat for 8 hours or until the meat easily shreds with a fork.
Use two forks to shred – For the best texture, shred the pork with two forks by pulling gently apart along the grain. Avoid over-shredding to keep some juicy bite and prevent it from turning mushy.
Add moisture if needed – When cooked and shredded, if the pulled pork seems a little dry, add some additional barbecue sauce or a splash of the Dr Pepper to keep it moist.
Easy Clean up – Slow cooker recipes already make clean up easy but using a crockpot liner makes it even easier. After cooking, simply lift out the crock pot liner and toss it, leaving a clean crockpot.

How to Make Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork

1. Build your sauce – In your 6-8 quart crock pot, combine the BBQ sauce and Dr. pepper stirring until well combined.

2. Add the pork – Add your pork butt and spoon the sauce over the top.

3. Cook – Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. (Note: Low and slow is best for a nice tender pulled pork).

shredding pork in a slow cooker with two forks.

4. Shred – Once cooked, remove the pork roast from the crockpot and set it on a plate, cutting board, or in a bowl. Remove the liquid from the crockpot and set it aside. Add the meat back to the crockpot and using 2 forks or a shredding tool, shred the meat. Pour the liquid back to the shredded meat until you reach desired flavor and consistency.

pulled pork in a crockpot with black tongs.

5. Serve – Serve warm on sandwich buns or make slider buns.

How to Tell if Pulled Pork is Done

Take a fork and pull some of the meat off. If the pork is fall-apart tender, it’s done. If it doesn’t come off easily, it’s not quite done yet.

What to Serve with Dr Pepper Pulled Pork

As I did for this recipe, you can serve crockpot bbq pulled pork warm on buns to make sandwiches. Offer different buns, pickles, coleslaw, and sauces so guests can customize their pulled pork sandwiches.

Instead of buns, you can also serve the pulled pork in soft corn tortillas topped with fresh cilantro and diced onions. You can even top the pork tacos with our Traditional Pico de Gallo Recipe.

If you’d like a side dish try french fries, Baked Zucchini Fries, or mashed potatoes. Our Easy Cornbread Recipe pairs beautifully with the tender, smoky meat for a classic Southern touch.

For other ideas, Baked Beans mirror the flavors of the pork and bring hearty earthiness. Baked Jalapeno Macaroni and Cheese is a comforting companion that complements the savory and sweet notes of the slow cooker pulled pork.

Storage Instructions

If you have leftover 4 ingredient crockpot BBQ pulled pork, you can store it in the refrigerator. Allow the pork to cool and then transfer it to an airtight container. Place in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you have a lot of leftover pork, you can freeze them.

Slow cooker pulled pork being put in a sandwich bun using tongs with a crockpot and a bottle of dr. pepper soda in the background.

More Easy Pork Recipes

How to Reheat Pulled Pork

To reheat your crockpot BBQ pulled pork for an easy lunch or dinner another day, you can use the oven, stovetop or microwave.

Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and spread the meat over a sheet pan. Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the meat is warmed. You can also put your meat under the broiler for 2-3 minutes for crispy edges.

Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the pulled pork. Cook for about 10 minutes stirring occasionally.

Microwave: Add individual servings to a microwave safe plate and cook for 3-4 minutes on 50% power for even heating throughout.

Recipe FAQ

Why is soda good for pulled pork?

The carbonation and acidity in the soda can help tenderize the meat. As well, the sugars help in caramelization, giving it that sweet and slightly tangy flavor that is essential for the taste.

Is it better to use Dr. Pepper or Coke for pulled pork?

Either will benefit puled pork when it comes to carbonation and acidity. Yet each will offer slightly different flavor profiles. Dr. Pepper gives hints of cherry and spices, whereas Coca Coke mainly gives a subtle yet simple caramel and vanilla flavor.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

If you’ve tried this Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe please let me know in the comments below. Also, consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you’re here. Thanks!

Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork

4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork is an easy recipe that results in juicy, flavorful and fall-apart tender meat perfect for sandwiches, tacos, nachos or with your favorite sides.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 8

Total Time: 8 10

Servings: people

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Author: Tammi

Equipment

6-8 Quart Crock Pot

Ingredients

3 lb Pork Butt
18 oz BBQ Sauce
1 cup Dr. Pepper
Sandwich Buns

Instructions

Build your sauce. In your crockpot, combine the BBQ sauce and Dr. pepper stirring until well combined.
Add the pork. Add your pork butt and spoon the sauce over the top.
Cook. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. (Note: Low and slow is best for a nice tender pulled pork.)
Shred. Once cooked, remove the meat from the crockpot and set it on a plate or in a bowl. Remove the liquid from the crockpot and set it aside. Add the meat back to the crockpot and using 2 forks or a shredding tool, shred the meat. Add the liquid back to the shredded meat until you reach desired flavor and consistency.
Serve. Serve warm on sandwich buns.

Notes

Leftover pulled pork should be stored in the refrigerator. Allow your pork to cool and then transfer it to an airtight container. Place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you have a lot of leftovers, you can freeze them for up to 2 months.

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