Best Ever Root Beer Pulled Pork

Finding an easy dinner recipe that pleases both kids and adults can feel like an impossible task, especially on those busy weeknights when you’re juggling after-school activities and work deadlines. We’ve all been there – staring into the fridge at 5 PM, wondering what to make that won’t have us standing over the stove for hours.

That’s where this root beer pulled pork comes to the rescue. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that brings together the sweet, familiar taste of root beer with tender, juicy pork – and best of all, your slow cooker does most of the work while you tackle your day.

What Kind of Pork Shoulder Should I Use?

For pulled pork, you’ll want to look for a pork shoulder (also called pork butt or Boston butt) that has good marbling throughout the meat. A bone-in cut typically provides more flavor, but boneless will work just fine and might be easier to handle. The ideal size is around 4-6 pounds – anything smaller might dry out during the long cooking time. When shopping, look for meat that’s pinkish-red in color with white fat marbling (avoid any meat that looks very pale or has dark spots). If you’re buying from the butcher counter, don’t be shy about asking them to help you pick out a well-marbled piece, as this fat is what keeps the meat moist and adds flavor during the long cooking process.

Options for Substitutions

This simple pulled pork recipe is pretty forgiving with substitutions. Here’s what you can swap:

• Pork shoulder: While pork shoulder (also called pork butt) is really the best cut for pulled pork, you can use pork picnic or pork loin in a pinch. Just note that pork loin will be a bit drier due to its lower fat content, so you might need to add extra barbecue sauce at the end.
• Root beer: Don’t have root beer? Try Dr. Pepper, Coca-Cola, or even ginger beer. Just make sure to use regular soda, not diet – the sugar helps tenderize the meat. In a pinch, you could use apple juice mixed with a tablespoon of vanilla extract.
• Barbecue sauce: Any store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce works here. If you’re out, mix ketchup with brown sugar, a splash of vinegar, and some worcestershire sauce for a quick substitute.
• Kaiser rolls: These are just serving suggestions – feel free to use any sturdy bun, brioche rolls, or even sliced bread. For a low-carb option, serve the meat over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps.
• Onion: Yellow, white, or sweet onions all work great. You can even use 2 shallots instead, or skip the onion if you’re not a fan.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making root beer pulled pork is rushing the cooking process – this cut needs low and slow cooking (at least 8-10 hours on low) to break down the tough connective tissues and become tender enough to pull apart easily.

Another common error is adding the barbecue sauce too early in the cooking process, which can cause it to become bitter or burn – instead, wait until after you’ve shredded the meat to mix in your sauce.

For the best flavor development, don’t skip browning the pork shoulder before placing it in the slow cooker, and make sure you’re using regular root beer (not diet) as the artificial sweeteners in diet versions can leave an unpleasant aftertaste.

To achieve the perfect texture, let the meat rest for 15-20 minutes after cooking before shredding, and if there’s too much liquid at the end, transfer the shredded meat back to the slow cooker on high for 15-20 minutes to help it reduce and concentrate the flavors.

What to Serve With Root Beer Pulled Pork?

When you’ve got a big batch of sweet and tender pulled pork sandwiches, you’ll want some tasty sides that can hold their own against those bold flavors! Classic coleslaw is a natural partner – the crisp, cool crunch and tangy dressing perfectly balances the rich, sweet pork. I love serving these sandwiches with some crispy sweet potato fries or regular french fries on the side, plus a scoop of creamy mac and cheese if I’m feeling extra indulgent. For a fresher option, a simple corn and black bean salad with lime dressing adds nice contrast and helps cut through the richness of the pork.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Your root beer pulled pork will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. The flavors actually get even better after a day or two as everything melds together! It’s perfect for making sandwiches throughout the week.

Freeze: This pulled pork is fantastic for freezing! Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, making sure to include some of the sauce to keep the meat moist. It’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months. Pro tip: freeze in meal-sized portions so you can thaw just what you need.

Reheat: To warm up your pulled pork, place it in a covered dish with a splash of water or extra barbecue sauce to keep it from drying out. Heat it in the microwave, stirring occasionally, or warm it slowly in a covered pot on the stove. If it’s frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	240-600 minutes
Total Time	250-615 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 3500-4000
• Protein: 200-230 g
• Fat: 150-180 g
• Carbohydrates: 400-450 g

Ingredients

• 1 pork shoulder, preferably from ontario
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 500 ml (16 oz) of regular root beer (not diet)
• 2 cups (500 ml) of your preferred barbecue sauce
• 6 kaiser rolls or burger buns, split and toasted lightly

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients and Start Cooking

Begin by placing the pork and onion in the slow cooker.

Pour root beer over the pork, ensuring the liquid covers it well.

This will add flavor and help tenderize the meat as it cooks.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid.

Step 2: Slow Cook the Pork

Set the slow cooker to LOW and let the pork cook until it is well-cooked and shreds easily.

This usually takes about 8 – 10 hours.

If you’re short on time, you can set the slow cooker to HIGH, reducing the cooking time to 4 – 5 hours.

The key is to ensure the pork is tender enough to shred effortlessly.

Step 3: Drain and Add BBQ Sauce

Once the pork is fully cooked and tender, carefully drain the slow cooker, discarding the excess root beer and onion.

Return the pork to the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.

Stir in your favorite BBQ sauce, mixing thoroughly to ensure every piece of pork is coated evenly.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Serve the shredded BBQ pork on buns.

For added flavor and texture, top the pork with coleslaw.

Enjoy your delicious pulled pork sandwiches!