This Root Beer Pulled Pork with Root Beer BBQ Sauce is surprisingly easy to throw together and feeds a crowd!
Why You'll Love Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork
- Tender and flavored meats: The slow cooking process allows the pork to become incredibly tender, practically melting in your mouth. Additionally, the combination of the natural juices of the pork with the sweetness of the root beer barbecue sauce, root beer and dry rub spices creates a perfectly balanced flavor.
- Unique twist: Root beer adds a distinct flavor to BBQ sauce, without being too in-your-mouth. If you know this one more, you know the taste from one that you can immediately point to point. It's both nostalgic and unique!
- Preparation is easy: Slow cooker recipes are loved for their convenience, and root beer pulled pork is no exception. With just a few easy steps, minimal prep time, and the ability to let the slow cooker do the work, this recipe is perfect for busy families or anyone looking to simplify their dinnertime routine.
- Versatility: Root Beer Pulled Pork is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Serve it on a hamburger bun or sandwich roll for a classic pulled pork sandwich, or use it as a filling on tacos, sliders, or baked potatoes. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to customize the dish to suit your preferences and creativity.
- Crowd-pleasing appeal: Whether you're hosting a party, tailgating, gathering with friends and family, or enjoying a weeknight meal at home, root beer pulled pork is sure to be a hit.
Pulled pork ingredients
The ingredient list for this recipe is simple. You have two separate recipes here: one for the pulled pork and one for the barbecue sauce. Both can be enjoyed on their own, but they're even better together! The full recipe card is at the bottom of the post with all the measurements and instructions, so be sure to scroll down to print it!
- onion. I use white onions in the recipe, but you can use Spanish/yellow onions or even Vidalia onions. Onions just add a layer of flavor to the pork!
- garlic. You can finely chop or mince the garlic for this recipe. It's a taste maker! You can use fresh or pre-made mince, it's totally up to you!
- Dry rub mixture: Salt, pepper and dark brown sugar. I love the depth of flavor that dark brown sugar brings to this recipe. If you only have lightly browned or grainy ones on hand, no problem, just add a tablespoon of molasses to the slow cooker!
- 4 pounds boneless center-cut pork loin (also known as center loin roast or pork center rib roast). I prefer to use boneless for ease of preparation. You can use a bone-in if you have that too. The bone actually adds a bit more flavor to the pulled pork, just remove it before slicing! And honestly you can make this recipe with chicken too!
- Root beer. You pour a bottle of root beer into the slow cooker with the pork. The aroma of root beer permeates the meat and juices, hinting at sweetness and plenty of flavor!
Root Beer BBQ Sauce Ingredients
Barbecue sauce has many of the same ingredients as pork recipes that make pork and sauce perfect!
- Root beer. You only need 1 cup of root beer for the sauce.
- ketchup. Ketchup is the base of most BBQ sauce recipes and this one is no different!
- Dark brown sugar. You can use light brown sugar or even granulated as well as just add an extra tablespoon of molasses.
- Apple cider vinegar. Vinegar's acid is important to BBQ sauce, so don't skip it. If you don't have apple cider vinegar, you can use red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar instead. Apple cider vinegar is nice on this, though, because it adds a little sweetness!
- Minced garlic. It's just a taste level!
- molasses. Don't skip the molasses, it adds a depth of flavor to BBQ sauce that you can't replicate.
- spices: Crushed Red Chilli and Smoked Paprika. I love the smoked paprika in the bbq sauce and the cayenne pepper adds a little heat, which I love. Use as much or as little as you like!
How to Make Root Beer Pulled Pork
This pork recipe requires you to use your crock pot/slow cooker and a sauce pan for the bbq sauce. They are really the only two tools you will need!
I like to use boneless pork center cut roast for my pulled pork because it is not as fatty as other cuts that are commonly used. I've even made this recipe with pork tenderloin and it turned out great. But if you're using a leaner cut, like pork shoulder, pork butt, or picnic roast just trim off the excess!
Just whip up a quick dry rub. I just used dark brown sugar, salt and pepper….but if you like things a little spicy you can absolutely throw in some cayenne!
Coat your pork roast with dry rub and then put it in the slow cooker over a chopped onion and some garlic and pour a whole bottle of root beer around the pork.
Let it simmer in your slow cooker for about 4 hours and shred it. I like to keep it in juice to keep it moist.
Shred the pork with two forks in the slow cooker, or you can also shred the pork. Stand mixer And then add it back to the juice.
How to Make Root Beer Barbecue Sauce
If you want to go a step further, I recommend my Root Beer BBQ Sauce with it. It's incredible with this pulled pork, but it just might be your new favorite BBQ sauce recipe!
You simply add all the ingredients into one strict, bring it to a simmer for 10 minutes and you're done! It will last about 2 weeks stored airtight in your refrigerator.
What can you use in place of root beer?
Ultimately this is a root beer pulled pork recipe, so using root beer would always be my first and best advice. But in a pinch you can sub it with another soda:
- Coca-Cola/Pepsi. Coke root beer gives the same vibe a little less spicy.
- Pepper Dr. This is probably the best option if you don't have root beer.
- Ginger Beer/Ginger Ale. It is another good substitute in place of root beer.
- beer Although it's not a soda, and will lack the extra sweetness that root beer brings, a beer (the darker the better) will work nicely in this recipe, but will ultimately change the preferred flavor profile that root beer brings.
How to Serve Root Beer Pulled Pork
- Serve root beer pulled pork on hamburger buns or sandwich rolls, topped with barbecue sauce.
- Pair it with your favorite sides like coleslaw, macaroni salad, potato salad, or pickles for a complete meal.
- Top this pulled pork with a baked potato or baked sweet potato for a hearty and easy dinner idea!
- Nachos!
- Top your favorite mac and cheese with a scoop of it! YUM!
More pulled pork recipes you will love
description
This pulled pork recipe is so easy to make and the root beer BBQ sauce is absolutely delicious!
Pork:
- 1 Chop the white onion
- 4 Clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup Dark brown sugar
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp Bell pepper
- 4 Pound boneless center-cut pork loin
- 1 (12-ounce) bottle of root beer
Barbecue Sauce:
- 1 cup Root beer
- 1 cup ketchup
- 3 tbsp Dark brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
- 2 Clove garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp molasses
- 1/2 tsp Crushed Red Chilli
- 2 tsp Smoked paprika
- Prepare the pork: Place onions and garlic in the bottom of a slow cooker. Combine the sugar, salt and black pepper in a bowl and coat the meat with the dry rub mixture. Place the meat in the slow cooker on top of the onion and garlic.
- Pour the root beer around the slow cooker and cover with a lid.
- Cook for 4-5 hours (or less for 8-10 hours) until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily. When the meat is done, shred it with a fork and mix it with the juices to keep it soft.
- Prepare the BBQ sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine all sauce ingredients: root beer, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, molasses, cayenne pepper, and paprika. Stir until smooth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Drizzle BBQ sauce over pork, if desired, or drizzle BBQ sauce over pork sandwich to serve.
Comment
Store the sauce in an airtight refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Keywords: Pulled Pork, Crock Pot Pulled Pork, Root Beer BBQ Sauce, Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
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