Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is Dr Pepper good in pulled pork? ›

Dr Pepper – This offers a faint sweetness and helps keep the pork moist as it cooks. Onion – This infuses into the liquid. I also like to mix in the onion as you shred the pork. They'll be ultra soft and will add a good hit of flavour.

Plus you'll get great new recipes from us every week! You will be amazed at how much flavor a can of Dr. Pepper adds to pork. Not only that, but the sugars in the cola help to tenderize the crockpot pork, making it fall-apart tender.

Transfer everything to a large slow cooker and add a splash of liquid — water is great, but so is broth, apple juice, or beer if you have them handy. Cover and cook on low until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.

This easy Pulled Pork recipe is made with pork shoulder (or butt), pantry spices and co*ke to tenderize the meat and add sweetness to the seasonings. The result if perfect, tender and juicy pork cooked in the oven, slow cooker or instant pot!

Dr Pepper isn't just here to flavor this roast: It works as a tenderizing ingredient, too. Marinades include acidic ingredients like vinegar or citrus juice—and in this case, Dr Pepper—that help break down fibers in tough cuts to make meat more tender and delicious after cooking.

The vinegar adds contrast to the smoky flavor and cuts through the fat in the meat.

Apple cider vinegar: Adds a little tanginess and helps to tenderize the pork. Without it, the pork tastes flat. Adding the vinegar wakes everything up. Fish sauce or Worcestershire: Seasons our cooking liquid and adds a nice burts of umami, which makes the pulled pork even more delicious.

Ingredients Needed

Pork Shoulder - A pork shoulder or pork butt works great. Seasoned Salt - Or your favorite pork rub. A Can of Soda - Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, co*ke or Root Beer are the best options. Barbecue Sauce - Homemade or store-bought sauce works great.

Inject 1 ounce or so of cherry Dr Pepper about every 2 inches across the top of the butt. There are various methods for injecting meat but I usually go in at a 45 degree angle and once I push the needle in.. I back up about 1/2 inch before pushing in the plunger.

Close the Proofer and allow the pork to cook for a total of 10 or 11 hours. Midway during the slow cook process you can turn the pork over once. After 10 hours check the interior of the pork with a thermometer. We recommend a temperature of 195-200 °F / 90-93 °C for tender, juicy pork which pulls apart easily.

Can you overcook pulled pork in a crock pot? ›

On low heat, cook for 8-10 hours; on high heat, cook for 5-6 hours. The pork should be fork-tender and easily shredded. Can you overcook pulled pork in a slow cooker? Yes, overcooking can lead to dry, tough meat.

Once finished, drain all of the juices from the slow cooker and remove the fat. Shred the pork with two forks into bite-sized chunks. Add the juices back into the meat and mix.

Dr. Pepper is also a favorite to use to tenderize pulled pork, along with ginger ale or even hard cider. These all obviously have a different taste than root beer so think about the kind of flavor profile you want to create and get cooking.

We use brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, a good amount of salt & pepper, and a pinch of cayenne! Make sure you use all of the seasoning! Also, really rub it into the pulled pork, get all of the nooks and crannies!

The fat marbling means that the pork will be shredded easily later on, and it also imparts loads of flavor! Pepsi: Add sweet and tangy flavors, and also helps tenderize it. Pepsi can be substituted with co*ke, Dr. Pepper, or Beer.

But the king of sodas has been used in southern cooking for years — particularly in marinades and sauces for beef and pork. Its sweet acidity can help to tenderize meat, making it an ideal addition for a long slow brine. But co*ke isn't limited to southern cooking!

Ingredients Needed

Pork Shoulder - A pork shoulder or pork butt works great. Seasoned Salt - Or your favorite pork rub. A Can of Soda - Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, co*ke or Root Beer are the best options. Barbecue Sauce - Homemade or store-bought sauce works great.

Pulled Pork Instructions

Inject 1/2 can of Dr. Pepper into the pork shoulder in multiple parts of the meat. Score the fat cap in a checkered pattern. Coat the entire pork shoulder with mustard and season with Dad's all purpose rub.