This slow cooker gluten free pulled pork is a delicious recipe that is so easy to make. With five simple ingredients and a crock pot, you have a delicious family dinner and leftovers too!
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It is taco night in our house, and this easy pulled pork is the best part! Our meat box CSA included an amazing pork shoulder this month. If you haven't tried pulled pork, it is one of the ultimate comfort foods! Pulled pork is one of my family's favorite meals because the whole family loves it, even my picky eater!
There are many delicious ways to prepare pork shoulder, but my favorite is to cook it in a crockpot. Slow cooking pork makes it tender and juicy. I worked hard to keep this recipe simple to use the meat for several different recipe ideas. The pork itself is gluten free, but you need to double-check your spices to be sure they are gluten free. Some spices are processed on shared equipment with gluten, so always read the ingredients label to be sure your meal will be safe.
Why This Recipe Is Great:
- You will love the simplicity of this recipe because you can just toss the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning, turn it on, and then forget it for a few hours. You can find the ingredients at any local grocery store.
- Grab your favorite corn or gluten free flour tortillas and make tacos or burritos with this flavorful pulled pork.
- This is the best crockpot pulled pork recipe! It is perfect for a busy school night! It has the best flavor!
If you love pork, you will want to check out these delicious gluten free pork recipes.
Ingredient Notes:
I keep this recipe simple, with a simple spice mixture. If you like a little spice, you can add a spicier ground chipotle seasoning to your mix the next time you make it.
- Pork Shoulder - Try to trim excess fat before cooking it. You can buy boneless pork shoulder or bone in. I like to use pork shoulder because it is an inexpensive cut of meat.
- Chicken Broth or Beef Broth - Try to use low-sodium.
- Garlic Powder - You can also use freshly minced garlic.
- Ground Cumin - This spice adds deep flavor that cooks into the meat.
- Sea Salt - Sea salt is what I used in this recipe, but kosher salt also works well.
- Ground Black Pepper - Use to taste.
Recipe Step By Step Directions:
Step 1: Trim the extra fat off the pork shoulder. This cut of pork is fairly lean, but removing as much as possible will leave you with leaner meat.
Step 2: Coat the meat in the dry rub that consists of salt, garlic, and cumin into the meat.
OPTIONAL: If you like the outside of the meat to be browned, you can quickly brown it before placing it into the slow cooker. To do this, heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes. Add the pork and brown on each side for 3-4 minutes.
Step 3: Place the pork and broth into the slow cooker. Set the cooking time on low heat for 6 hours or high heat for 4 hours.
Step 4: Remove the meat with a large set of metal tongs. Be careful the hot cooking liquid doesn't drop onto you and burn you. Place it on a cutting board. Use these meat shredders or two large forks to pull apart the meat into small pieces.
By dinner time, all I have to do is set out taco fixings. (Meal prep your toppings so you don't have to do much when you get home!)n My kids love to make their own gluten free pulled pork tacos. Mr. Fearless Dining has been trying to cut out some carbs, so he had his pulled pork on his salad Chipotle-style :-).
I serve the meat in a large casserole dish or large bowl. This is an easy pulled pork recipe that can feed a crowd!
Ways To Serve Gluten Free Pulled Pork:
This pork butt is versatile; there are many ways to enjoy it. Tacos, fajitas, nachos, taquitos...so many fun ways to enjoy this. You can even spice it up with some jalapenos! And if you really want something different, slather it in BBQ sauce.
You can make and eat this slow cooker pulled pork in many different ways. Here are even more scrumptious ways to use pulled pork:
- Sliders - Put some shredded pork on your favorite gluten free slider bread, top with barbecue sauce, and you will have the perfect pork sandwiches. I love using gluten free buns like my Gluten Free Hamburger Buns recipe to make my own.
- Omelets - Adding pulled pork to your eggs and all the veggies you love like: mushrooms, onions, peppers, and anything else you want.
- Grilled Sandwich - Transform your pulled pork into amazing pork and grilled cheese sandwich! Use your favorite gluten free bread and cheese, and you will be hooked.
- Pasta - Add some shredded pork to your preferred pasta recipe to increase the protein and flavor!
- Chili or Baked Beans - Traditionally, people usually use ground beef, but you can turn it up a notch with some slow cooker pulled pork!
- Make pork nachos!
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
Pork shoulder, also known as Boston butt, is the most common cut of meat to make pulled pork with.
It takes a while to overcook pulled pork in the slow cooker, but it can happen. Once the meat is done and can shred easily, start watching it. If the pork cooks too long, it can become slightly mushy and possibly dry out if there isn’t enough liquid.
The flavor and texture of leftover shredded pork will be at their best if it is served within 3-4 days of being put in the refrigerator. You can also store the leftovers in the freezer for up to 6 months. Always use airtight containers when storing leftover food.
This slow cooker pulled pork is excellent if you do a lot of meal prepping because it lasts in the freezer great! When you are ready to serve, simply thaw and warm up in the oven or microwave.
Yes, this recipe is easy to make ahead of time. You can store it in the fridge or freezer, depending on when you serve it. You can serve out of large electric roasting pans if you feed a crowd.
Yes, you can bake this pulled pork in the oven instead of using the slow cooker. A general rule of thumb for cooking the pork shoulder in the oven is that you cook it for 45 minutes per pound of meat at 350 degrees F.
This post was updated from an older March 2019 post with more detailed instructions.
More Gluten Free Dinner Ideas:
- Grilled Steak With Basil Garlic Sauce
- Gluten Free German Schnitzel With Potato Salad
- Easy Gluten Free Orange Chicken
- Gluten Free Skillet Lasagna (one pot meal)
Recipe
Easy 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds pork shoulder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups chicken broth see notes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 teaspoons ground cumin
Instructions
- Trim the excess fat off the pulled pork with a sharp knife.
- Sprinkle on half the spices, turn the meat over, then sprinkle the other half on this side of the meat. Place it into the slow cooker.
- Pour in the chicken broth.
- Set heat to low to cook for 6-7 hours. If you need it cooked quicker, set temperature to high for the first 3 hours, then reduce the heat to low for 2 hours.
- When the meat is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the meat. Serve in tacos, fajitas, or even on nachos!
- OPTIONAL: If you like the meat browned, you can brown it before adding it to a slow cooker. Heat a skillet with a tablespoon of oil over medium high heat. Brown each side of the pork shoulder for 4 minutes then place it into the slow cooker.
Notes
- You can use chicken or beef broth. I prefer low-sodium.
- You can easily cook this pulled pork recipe in the oven if you prefer. See the post for full instructions on oven baking pork.
- The leftover pulled pork will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store it in an airtight container. You can also freeze the gluten free pulled pork in freezer bags.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
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(*Note, this recipe was updated from an older May 2017 post.)
Laura
My family loves pulled pork! So many ways to use up leftovers, too!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad You enjoyed it. What is your favorite way to use the leftovers?
Beth
I love making pulled pork in the slow cooker. this is a winner, especially for a busy day or weekend. Great recipe and technique.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you! I love using the slow cooker, especially on hot days!
Robin Gagnon
This makes having pulled pork on hand for other dishes so easy!
Sandi Gaertner
It is a definite time saver 🙂