Enjoy easy and flavorful Root Beer Pulled Pork, deliciously seasoned and ready to serve as pork sliders at your next family gathering or outdoor event. Ideal for summer celebrations or simple weeknight meals.
Easy to follow directions for Instant Pot and slow cooker preparation.
Pulled pork is the perfect potluck main dish - here are some sides that make it the perfect combination for a summer cookout:
Instant Pot Cowboy Beans have flavors that are both sweet and savory. This side dish is ready in less than 30 minutes and is a crowd-pleaser.
Cucumber Salsa is a delicious and refreshing summer salsa that is made with cucumbers, jalapeno, tomatoes, and vinegar dressing.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's simple to make: Pulled pork is simple to make whether it's made in an electric pressure cooker or in a slow cooker.
- Flavor: The trifecta of flavors from the dry rub, the flavor of the root beer, and the barbecue sauce create flavorful and delicious pork sandwiches.
- Great summer food: This easy recipe is perfect for summer parties, potlucks, and picnics.
Ingredients in Root Beer Pulled Pork
- pork shoulder, cut into chunks
- Root Beer or other soda of choice (Dr. Pepper is a good option)
- onion, sliced
- garlic, minced
- brown sugar, packed
- chili powder
- salt
- cumin
- cinnamon
- favorite BBQ sauce
See the recipe card for the full ingredient amounts and recipe directions.
How to Make Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot
Pressure cooking pulled pork is a quick and easy method when preparing the dish for occasions such as Game Day, summer cookouts, or just for an easy dinner.
- Cut the pork shoulder into chunks.
- Combine the minced garlic, brown sugar, chili powder, salt, cumin, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Dry rub it onto the pork.
- Add the sliced onions into the Instant Pot, followed by the cup of Root Beer.
- Place the chunks of pork shoulder into the pot and close the lid.
- Pressure cook on MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK for 45 minutes.
- Allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before removing the lid.
- Remove the pork and onions from the liquid and shred pork using two forks or by using a hand mixer.
- Stir in the desired amount of BBQ sauce.
- Serve as desired.
How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Alternative to the Instant Pot which can have the pulled pork ready to serve in less than an hour, this slow cooker recipe version can be ready in about 8 to 10 hours depending on how many pounds of pork you are slow cooking.
To make slow cooker root beer pulled pork:
- Pat dry the pork shoulder.
- Combine the garlic, brown sugar, chili powder, salt, cumin, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Once mixed, rub the mixture on all surfaces of the pork.
- Place the prepared meat in the slow cooker and top with the sliced onions.
- Pour root beer on top of the seasoned meat.
- Add the barbecue sauce to the slow cooker.
- Cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours.
- Use two forks to shred the pork. Discard any fat and bone.
- Stir the pork and serve as desired.
Substitutions and Variations
- Pork: Pork shoulder roast or pork butt due is a great selection of meat for pulled pork because the marbling helps produce tender results. For a leaner option, opt for pork tenderloin. For easier shedding use a boneless cut vs a bone-in pork butt.
- Other Protein: Beef brisket and even chicken breasts can be substituted for pork for pulled pork recipes. Keep in mind that cook time and overall flavor outcome can differ from the intended recipe for this root beer pulled pork recipe.
Dry Rub and Sauces
- Root Beer: A can of root beer is traditionally used for this recipe but diet root beer is a great substitution and feel free to use a different kind of soda such as Dr. Pepper.
- Seasoning: A dry rub really locks in flavor for pulled pork and it's easy to change them based on preferences. Or, the dry rub can be omitted completely and keep this recipe even simpler by just using the root beer BBQ sauce.
Quick Tips
For tender pork when using an Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker, ensure to allow the pressure cooker to naturally release pressure before removing the lid. Doing a quick release will cause the meat to dry out and the meat will not be tender.
For tender pork when using a slow cooker, cook it slow on low.
Storing Pulled Pork
Store the pulled pork in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Place the pulled pork in an airtight container and refrigerator within 2 hours after serving.
Pulled pork can be frozen and will last for up to 4 to 6 months in the freezer when stored properly. Label and date a freezer-safe container and transfer the cooled pulled pork with its juices (cooking liquid) and sauce to the container. When ready to reheat, thaw the container in the refrigerator and heat in short intervals in the microwave until the pork is heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Root beer not only adds a sweet flavor profile to pulled pork but it also acts as a tenderizer due to its acidity. The result is a tender juicy meat.
For pulled pork in the slow cooker, it's best to cook it slow on the low setting. Depending on the size of your pork, 8 to 10 hours is a good time frame.
Pork shoulder is the best cut of meat for pulled pork. This meat is also known as Boston butt or picnic roast or shoulder. This cut of meat is marbled and produces tender and flavorful meat and is perfect for creating shredded pork.
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📖 Recipe
Root Beer Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound pork shoulder - cut into chunks
- 1 cup Root Beer or Dr. Pepper
- 1 onion - sliced
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- ⅓ cup brown sugar - packed
- 1 ½ tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 16 ounces BBQ sauce
Instructions
Instant Pot Root Beer Pulled Pork
- Cut the pork shoulder into chunks.
- Combine the minced garlic, brown sugar, chili powder, salt, cumin, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Dry rub it onto the pork.
- Add the sliced onions into the Instant Pot, followed by the cup of Root Beer.
- Place the chunks of pork shoulder into the pot and close the lid.
- Pressure cook on MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK for 45 minutes.
- Allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before removing the lid.
- Remove the pork and onions from the liquid and shred pork using two forks or by using a hand mixer.
- Stir in the desired amount of BBQ sauce.
- Serve.
Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork
- Pat dry the pork shoulder.
- Combine the garlic, brown sugar, chili powder, salt, cumin, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Once mixed, rub the mixture on all surfaces of the pork.
- Place the prepared meat in the slow cooker and top with the sliced onions.
- Pour root beer on top of the seasoned meat.
- Add the barbecue sauce to the slow cooker.
- Cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours.
- Use two forks to shred the pork. Discard any fat and bone.
- Stir the pork and serve as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on third-party calculations. Actual values may vary due to ingredients, measurements, and serving sizes.
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Dana is the lead recipe developer and photographer for PopularRecipes.com. With her 10+ years of experience creating, testing, and photographing recipes, she has become an artist in developing wholesome, family-friendly meals that are a hit with both kids and parents.
Amy Liu Dong says
Root beer has been my go-to when it comes to a sweet dish of any meat, and this one did not disappoint me. The flavor and textures are perfect for each other it is awesome!