BudgetFriendly Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy some proper BBQ without breaking the bank? Do you know, cheap slow cooker recipes can be bloody amazing? This pulled pork is the ticket!

Brief Overview

Pulled pork, a staple from the American South, is pure comfort food. This Budget Slow Cooker Meals version is easy as pie (or should I say, easy as grilling sausages?), taking about 8- 10 hours on low.

It happily feeds 6-8 hungry souls.

Main Benefits

Pork shoulder is relatively affordable , packing a protein punch. This is perfect for a Family Meal Ideas On A Budget and is dead simple to make.

What makes it special? The rich smoky flavour.

Get Your Bits Ready: The Ingredients You'll Need

You know what I love about Economical Slow Cooker Recipes ? They are so forgiving. Let's get all of our bits and bobs together for the pork.

You will need a 3-4 pound pork shoulder. You'll also need paprika, garlic and onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and chicken broth.

Now, for the proper BBQ sauce. You'll need ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, and a touch more smoked paprika.

Oh, and if you're feeling brave, a pinch of cayenne pepper. Honestly, the sauce is what makes it!

Let's Get Cooking: Making the Magic Happen

Right then, first things first, give the pork a good rub-down with the spice mixture. Don't be shy! Then, plop it into your slow cooker. Next, pour in the chicken broth.

Now, the hardest part: waiting. Seriously, though, 8- 10 hours on low, or 4-6 on high. While that's doing its thing, whip up the BBQ sauce.

Simmer it until it thickens up a bit. You could even try some Slow Cooker BBQ Ideas while waiting!.

Once the pork's falling apart, shred it up with two forks, stir in the sauce, and simmer for another half hour.

Job's a good 'un! Serve on buns, with coleslaw – get stuck in!

Top Tips for Proper Pulled Pork

Don't skip the spice rub; it's the foundation of flavor, you know? And for goodness sake, don't add the BBQ sauce before shredding! Honestly, the pork just drinks it up better afterwards.

Trim some of the fat off the pork before cooking, but don't go overboard. Fat is flavour, after all.

One time, I forgot the salt in the spice rub (honestly, I was half-asleep), and the pork was so bland.

A proper disaster! Learn from my mistakes, eh? And don't overcook the pork. Aim for fall-apart tender, not dry and stringy.

BudgetFriendly Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe Card

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:480 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 (3-4 pound/ 1.36-1.81 kg) pork shoulder (Boston butt), bone-in or boneless
• 1 tablespoon/ 15 ml smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon/ 15 ml garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon/ 15 ml onion powder
• 1 teaspoon/ 5 ml ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon/ 5 ml dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon/ 5 ml salt
• ½ teaspoon/ 2.5 ml black pepper
• 1 cup/ 240 ml chicken broth (low sodium)
• 1 cup/ 240 ml ketchup
• ¼ cup/ 60 ml apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup/ 60 ml brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons/ 30 ml Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon/ 15 ml yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon/ 5 ml smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon/ 2.5 ml garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon/ 1.25 ml cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

Instructions:

• Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels.
• In a bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Generously rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, ensuring it's evenly coated.
• Place the rubbed pork shoulder in the slow cooker.
• Pour the chicken broth around the pork (not on top).
• Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours, or until the pork is fork-tender.
• While the pork is cooking, combine all BBQ sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
• Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Using two forks, shred the pork.
• Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix with the BBQ sauce. Simmer on low for another 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Serve hot on buns, with coleslaw, or as desired.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450-550

Fat:20-30g

Fiber:0g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American

Ingredients & Equipment for Budget Slow Cooker Meals

Alright, let’s talk about what you'll need for this amazing cheap slow cooker recipes . I've made this Economical Slow Cooker Recipes so simple, even my mate Dave could manage it, and he once burnt water.

Main Ingredients

• Pork Shoulder (Boston Butt): 3-4 pounds (1.36-1.81 kg) . Look for good marbling. Honestly, the fattier, the better the flavour. Don’t skimp here, pork is cheap.

• Smoked Paprika: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . Adds that lovely smokiness, vital for a good BBQ feel.

• Garlic Powder: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . Because everything's better with garlic, innit?

• Onion Powder: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . More flavour, less chopping. Win-win.

• Ground Cumin: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) . Adds a bit of earthiness to the mix.

• Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) . Just a little bit of that Mediterranean magic.

• Salt: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) . Seasoning is key!

• Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) . Freshly ground if you're feeling fancy.

• Chicken Broth: 1 cup (240 ml) , low sodium. Helps keep things moist and delicious.

• Ketchup: 1 cup (240 ml) . The base of our dead easy BBQ sauce.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: ¼ cup (60 ml) . Adds that tangy kick.

• Brown Sugar: ¼ cup (60 ml) , packed. For that sweet, sticky goodness.

• Worcestershire Sauce: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) . Gives it that umami depth.

• Yellow Mustard: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . Adds a bit of zing.

• Smoked Paprika: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) . Echoing the pork's flavour.

• Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) . More garlic is always good.

• Cayenne Pepper: ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) , optional. For a bit of heat, if you like it spicy.

Seasoning Notes

This spice combo is a game-changer. The smoked paprika with the garlic and onion powder? Bangin'. If you don't have smoked paprika, regular paprika will do in a pinch, but it won't be quite the same.

For a bit of extra depth, try adding a pinch of smoked salt. You can tweak the brown sugar for honey.

This makes a delicious sweet flavor.

Equipment Needed

• Slow Cooker (6-quart or larger). A must-have for Easy Crockpot Dinners . Honestly, if you don't have one, get one. They're life-changing for Affordable Family Dinners .
• Large mixing bowl. For mixing the spice rub.
• Measuring cups and spoons. Accuracy matters, even in cheap hearty meals !
• Fork. For shredding the pork. A potato masher works too!

Don't have a slow cooker? Okay, you can use a Dutch oven in a very low oven (250° F/ 120° C ), but it’s not quite the same for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork .

Seriously, invest in a slow cooker. You won’t regret it.

Budget-Friendly Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Fancy some proper BBQ without breaking the bank? This Budget-Friendly Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork recipe is your answer. It's one of those cheap slow cooker recipes that lets you enjoy delicious food with minimal effort.

Seriously, think of it as a "bung it in and leave it" kinda meal. It's a winner, winner, easy crockpot dinners winner.

Prep Steps: Get Your Act Together!

First things first, a bit of mise en place is essential. That's just fancy talk for getting all your ingredients ready.

This only takes 15 minutes. Chop nothing. Mix spices in a bowl. It’s dead simple. Seriously. Grab your pork shoulder – a 3-4 pound/ 1.

36-1.81 kg bit will do nicely. Don't forget those spices. Get organised. It's your best friend! Remember: raw meat can be a right bugger, so wash your hands after handling.

Safety first, innit!

Step-by-Step: Slow Cooker Magic

Honestly, it's so easy.

1. Pat your pork shoulder dry with some paper towels.
2. Mix 1 tablespoon/ 15 ml smoked paprika , 1 tablespoon/ 15 ml garlic powder , 1 tablespoon/ 15 ml onion powder , 1 teaspoon/ 5 ml ground cumin , 1 teaspoon/ 5 ml dried oregano , 1 teaspoon/ 5 ml salt , and ½ teaspoon/ 2.5 ml black pepper in a bowl.
3. Rub that spice mix all over the pork. Get every nook and cranny.
4. Plonk the pork into your slow cooker .
5. Pour 1 cup/ 240 ml chicken broth around it. Don’t drown it, just enough for a cheeky bath.
6. Cook on low for 8- 10 hours or high for 4- 6 hours . You want it fork-tender. Not leather.
7. While that's happening, whip up your BBQ sauce. Simmer all the ingredients in a saucepan over low heat for 15- 20 minutes . This will let all the flavours meld into something amazing. Think of the gorgeous smells and flavours.
8. Shred the pork, mix with the sauce and that's your cheap hearty meals sorted.

The pork is ready when it pulls apart.

Pro Tips: Level Up Your Pulled Pork

Avoid adding the BBQ sauce until after shredding. Honestly, this helps the pork soak up all that deliciousness. Try trimming a bit of the fat off the pork shoulder before cooking.

You need some, but not a whole lorry-load of lard. Also, Budget Slow Cooker Meals can be made ahead. Make it a day before and keep it in the fridge.

Heat it up when you’re ready to tuck in. Bang on!

This recipe's one for the books if you're trying to do some economical slow cooker recipes . Plus, slow cooking is just easy, right? It's perfect for family meal ideas on a budget, and who doesn't love a good slow cooker pulled pork ? Think BBQ heaven.

I can never resist. Cheers!

Recipe Notes for Unreal Pulled Pork

Right then, let's talk brass tacks. This Budget Slow Cooker Meals recipe is proper easy, but there are a few things to keep in mind for a guaranteed sticky, delicious success.

We all want Affordable Family Dinners that taste like they cost a fortune, don't we?

Serving Like A Pro

• Plating and Presentation Ideas: Get some proper brioche buns. Pile high with the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork . Add a dollop of coleslaw.

  Maybe some pickles if you're feeling fancy. You can also serve it on nachos. Now that's a talking point.

• Complementary Sides or Beverages: Sweet potato fries are a game changer. Baked beans? Yes, please. Ice-cold beer? You already know.

  This really is a great selection of Family Meal Ideas On A Budget .

Sorted Storage Solutions

• Refrigeration Guidelines: Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days. Make sure it's in a sealed container, yeah?
• Freezing Options (if applicable): The pulled pork freezes beautifully. Pop it in a freezer bag, squeeze out the air, and it'll be good for up to 3 months. Just make sure it is labeled correctly.
• Reheating Instructions: Reheat in the microwave. A saucepan on the hob works too. Add a splash of chicken broth if it seems a bit dry. We don't want dry Pork Shoulder Recipes Slow Cooker .

Mix It Up, Mate

• Dietary Adaptations: For a lower-carb option, serve the pulled pork over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps. You could look to make this a Cheap Hearty Meals for all the family.
• Seasonal Ingredient Swaps: In the autumn, add a splash of apple cider to the slow cooker for a lovely seasonal twist.

Nutrition Nuggets

• Simplified Nutrition Information: This recipe offers about 450-550 calories per serving. Each portion gives you a great protein punch, some fats, and a decent amount of carbs. A tasty balanced meal, as Easy Crockpot Dinners should be.
• Key Health Benefits: Pork is a good source of protein and essential nutrients. Just be mindful of the fat content, yeah?

Listen, this is one of those cheap slow cooker recipes that'll become a family staple. Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavours, different serving ideas.

The beauty of Economical Slow Cooker Recipes is that they’re so forgiving. Get stuck in and enjoy, and remember, if you like it saucy and spicy, you can consider adding Crock Pot Meatballs in there.

Have a proper go, will you?