Slow cooker pulled pork

An easy 3-ingredient slow cooker pulled pork using pork tenderloin – great for sandwiches or sliders!

Pulled pork is an Eastern North Carolina specialty, where my mom is from.

When we would visit my grandmother over by the coast, we’d always pick up some roadside barbecue, which in that area of the state always means pulled pork and usually means a vinegar-based sauce.

It’s simple, it’s scrumptious, it’s decidedly Southern. And the N.C. version is cooked so long it falls off the bone. We shred it and serve it on hamburger buns. It just feels like home to me.

The real-deal guys in the pit go slow and low for hours upon hours – often overnight. You and me, we gotta find another way.

I gotta say, this 3-ingredient homemade version holds up! It’s amazing how simple and how hands-off this meal is, yet how delicious and tender and juicy and flavorful the pork comes out. I do use BBQ sauce here – which would be frowned upon in the Eastern part of the state – because it brings a ton of flavor and extra moisture to the pork after it’s cooked and so completely tender.

And the pork in this recipe? It’s pork tenderloin.

It’s light, it’s lean, it’s not full of fatty spots that are gonna get in the way of loving on your pulled pork sandwich.

It’s also not gonna leave you with a lead ball in your stomach when you’ve finished your meal. And gone back for seconds. And sneaked an extra forkful while you clean dishes. 😉

The other sneaky thing about this dish is using root beer. Now, soda may not be the healthiest option – and it’s certainly a departure from what you usually see here on this blog – but I gotta say, I don’t even feel bad about it.

It just works and I go with it.

I tend to be a little more forgiving with traditional dishes that have been passed down. Don’t mess too much with a good thing, right?

You can serve this pulled pork as a sandwich for dinner – one of our favorites – or you can pile it onto little sliders for finger foods at a party – great for game day eats! They are such a hit!

Be sure to make some of my most favorite no-mayo coleslaw to go with this. It’s vinegar-based and the perfect tangy-sweet accompaniment to this pork. Plus, it’s the traditional Eastern North Carolina way to go. 👍

Welcome to the South, y’all! I think you’re gonna love it.

Enjoy!

Slow cooker pulled pork

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Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 6 hours Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes

Serves about 4 cups     adjust servings

An easy 3-ingredient slow cooker pulled pork using pork tenderloin!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin, trimmed and silver skin removed
• 1 (20-oz.) can Dr. Pepper soda (or other root beer)
• 1 (18 oz.) bottle BBQ sauce (or about 2 heaping cups)

Instructions

1. Place pork tenderloin in slow cooker. Pour soda over the pork.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
3. Drain well. Remove and shred pork, then return to the slow cooker.
4. Stir in the BBQ sauce until well mixed.
5. Serve immediately or let it sit on warm until ready to serve.

Recipe Notes

Make my easy no-mayo coleslaw (Eastern N.C. style) to go on top of or alongside of your sandwiches.
This pulled pork freezes great! Just let it cook and pack it up in a labeled bag for the freezer. I love having some on hand for busy weeks.
Adapted from Allrecipes.com.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
Amount Per Serving	As Served
Calories 340kcal Calories from fat 90
% Daily Value
Total Fat 10g	15%
Saturated Fat 3g	15%
Transfat 0g
Cholesterol 184mg	61%
Sodium 177mg	7%
Protein 59g

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

	Calories	2000
Total Fat	Less than	65g
Sat Fat	Less than	25g
Cholesterol	Less than	300mg
Sodium	Less than	2,400mg
Total Carbohydrate		300g
Dietary Fiber		25g