Slow Cooker Keto Barbecue Pulled Pork

October 10, 2021

0 6 6 minutes read

This 5 ingredient Slow Cooker Keto Barbecue Pulled Pork recipe is loaded with flavor, while still being incredibly easy to make. Just add your ingredients to the slow cooker and let it works its magic, low and slow. The end result it juicy, fall apart tender meat. It’s dairy free, egg free, nut free, and gluten free, making it the perfect allergen friendly recipe.

keto barbecue pulled pork, shedded and sauced on a sheet pan

This recipe is from my book Dairy Free Keto Cooking. It features over 160 low carb, keto, gluten free, and dairy free recipes. It has 5 different allergen friendly meal plans, and over 100 pages of resources to help you navigate the keto diet. If you suffer from dairy intolerances or food allergies, this is the book for you. If you are someone who just loves easy to make, delicious food, then this also the book is for you. Grab a copy of Dairy Free Keto Cooking HERE

Ingredients Notes

Ingredients to make keto barbecue pulled pork - pork shoulder, barbecue sauce, chicken stock, salt and pepper

Pork Shoulder: For this paleo barbecue pulled pork recipe, I chose to use pork shoulder, but you can also use pork butt. I recommend trimming some or all of the fat cap if using pork butt. (I get all my heritage breed pork here)
Chicken stock: This makes the pork nice and juicy. If you do not have chicken stock, you could also use beef stock.
Barbecue Sauce: To keep this a quick and easy keto barbecue pulled pork recipe, I used a pre-made keto-friendly paleo barbecue sauce. This is the brand I use. But for scratch-made keto barbecue sauce, check out my book Dairy Free Keto Cooking
Salt and pepper: I wanted to keep this whole30 pulled pork recipe very simple, so I just used salt and pepper. But I also recommend sprinkling it with some garlic powder, onion powder, or even this Barbecue Dry Rub Mix

Step by Step Instructions

a fresh pork shoulder, seasoned with salt and pepper

How to Make Keto Barbecue Pulled Pork

STEP 1: Preheat the slow cooker on the low setting. Season the pork generously with the salt and pepper.

Pork shoulder, seasoned with salt and pepper, in a slow cooker with chicken stock

STEP 2: Put the pork in the slow cooker, add the chicken stock, and cook for 6 hours, or until the meat is fall-apart tender.

cooked pork shoulder, shredded with 2 forks, on a wooden cutting board

STEP 3: Drain most of the juices from the slow cooker, retaining about ¼ cup. Use two forks to shred the meat.

cooked and shredded pork shoulder, sauced with barbecue sauce in a slow cooker

STEP 4: Mix the barbecue sauce into the meat and cook for 1 additional hour. Toss with remaining barbecue sauce before serving.

cooked and shredded pork butt, tossed with keto barbecue sauce, on a sheet pan

Recipe Tips and Variations

Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the leftovers for up to a month. These are my favorite storage and meal prep containers.
Make a Sandwich: Pile it on top of my Keto Everything Buns and top it with this Cucumber Dill Broccoli Slaw to make a delicious Keto Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwich
Add Dry Rub: To add even more flavor to the this keto pulled pork recipe, rub the pork shoulder down with my Keto Barbecue Dry Rub Seasoning blend before adding it to the slow cooker.
Add Fresh Garlic: Everything is better with garlic! Add a handful of garlic cloves into the slow cooker with the meat and shred them right along with the meat after it has cooked.
Add Onion: I am a firm believer that all the best recipes start with garlic and onion. Chop up a small onions and cook it with the pork. Just like the garlic, shred the onion and mix it into the pork.
Spice it Up: For some extra kick, try adding some of my Pickled Jalapeños.
Make a Taco Variation: Season the pork with some of my Taco Seasoning and toss the shredded pork in the Paleo Taco Sauce for a delicious Taco Tuesday variation.

keto barbecue pulled pork sandwiches with cucumber dill slaw, pickled red onions

Serving Suggestions

a sheet pan of keto barbecue pulled pork, with coleslaw, pickled red onions and buns in the background

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between pork shoulder and pork butt? and can I use pork butt for this recipe?

Both cuts of meat are from from the shoulder of the pig. They are both relatively tough cuts of meat that are best when cooked low and slow. This helps them turn out nice and tender. Pork shoulder has less marbling and fat, whereas pork butt typically comes with a rather thick fat cap. You can use either cut for this recipe. If using pork butt, I recommend trimming off the fat cap.

Can you freeze leftover pulled pork?

Yes, you can freeze it for up to a month. I recommend reheating it in a skillet with a little chicken stock and then tossing it in more barbecue sauce.

Can I make Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely. This is a great make ahead meal. Use it for meal prep, or just make it before the rest of your feast to cut down on prep time. If making ahead, store in the fridge for 4 days. After that, you can transfer it to the freezer.

Uses For Leftover Pulled Pork

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