Sweet & Spicy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

4.92 from 12 votes

Cook this pulled pork low and slow in your oven or crockpot for the most tender, juicy, flavorful pulled pork you've ever had!

Prep Time10

Cook Time8

Additional Time8

Total Time16 10

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 356kcal

Mix all dry rub ingredients together in an airtight container.
Combine all brine ingredients in large container or an extra-large Ziploc bag. Mix well to combine and dissolve the salt. Rinse the pork shoulder and carefully add it to the brine. Close the bag and refrigerate the pork and the brine for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Remove the pork shoulder from brine solution, pat dry with paper towels, and place in a crock pot or baking pan that is bigger than the shoulder by at least a inch in length and width and at least 3 inches deep. Sprinkle all of the dry rub onto the surface of the meat and rub it in well to coat all sides.
Position the pork shoulder with the fat-layer on top. If using a slow cooker, cook on high for 6-8 hours or on low for 8-10 hours, until tender and the meat shreds easily with a fork. Remove the meat from the slow cooker and discard juices. Shred with two fork, discarding any fat and returning the shredded meat to the slow cooker to stay warm. If using a roasting pan in the oven, cook uncovered on the middle rack at 225 degrees F until the center of the shoulder reaches 200 degrees F when probed with a meat thermometer, about 8-10 hours, then let the meat rest outside of the oven while it cools down enough to shred with forks.
Serve on brioche buns with barbeque sauce and coleslaw, if you want to get all fancy. I like to lightly butter the sliced side of my buns and toast them in a pan until barely golden brown before piling the pulled pork on them.

You could also use a bone-in pork shoulder or pork butt. If so, look for one that is 5-7 pounds.
Leftover pulled pork will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Heat it in a saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop or in the microwave until it’s warmed through.