Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tenderloin
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We love cooking with pork, and this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tenderloin is one of those recipes that makes dinner almost too easy. It takes just a few minutes to get into the slow cooker, and then it does its thing while I get on with mine.
I use pork tenderloin instead of pork shoulder because it’s a smaller, leaner cut. There’s no breaking down a large roast or trimming away big pieces of fat. The pork cooks until it’s tender and moist, and while the spices and BBQ sauce give it plenty of flavor, you can still taste the pork.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tenderloin
- Quick prep. It takes me about 10 minutes to get everything into the slow cooker.
- No searing. There’s no need to dirty another pan before putting the pork into the Crock Pot.
- Smaller batch. Pork tenderloin is a great choice when you don’t need a large pork shoulder.
- Less trimming. Tenderloin is lean, so I don’t have to trim away large pieces of fat.
- Great for leftovers. We love turning the leftover BBQ pork into sandwiches, and it freezes well too.
Ingredients for Pulled Pork Tenderloin
You only need pork tenderloin, a handful of spices, chicken broth, and your favorite BBQ sauce for this easy slow cooker recipe. The tested recipe uses approximately 3 pounds of tenderloin with paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, chicken broth, and BBQ sauce.
Pork tenderloin. The package I buy contains two tenderloins that weigh about 1½ pounds each. Pork tenderloin and pork loin are different cuts, so make sure you’re buying tenderloin for this recipe.
Seasonings. Paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and dry mustard give the pork plenty of flavor without overpowering it.
Chicken broth. The broth adds liquid to the slow cooker while the pork cooks.
BBQ sauce. Use your favorite. I like a sweet BBQ sauce, but honey-based, smoky, or spicy BBQ sauce can also be used.
Julie’s Tip: Pork tenderloin often has a thin, shiny membrane called silver skin. It doesn’t break down as it cooks and can be tough, so I remove it before putting the pork into the slow cooker.
How to Make Pulled Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker
Prepare the pork. Remove the tenderloin from its packaging and pat it dry. Trim away the silver skin and place the pork in the slow cooker.
Season it. Sprinkle the paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and dry mustard evenly over the pork.
Add the liquid. Pour the chicken broth around the pork, and then pour the BBQ sauce over the top.
Slow cook. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours or LOW for 6 to 7 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
Shred the pork. Move the cooked tenderloin to a large plate or cutting board and shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
Back into the slow cooker it goes. Stir the shredded pork into the sauce. Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 to 60 minutes. This gives that shredded pork time to soak up all of that BBQ goodness.
How Do I Know When Pork Tenderloin Is Ready to Shred?
Don’t rely only on the clock.
The pork is ready when a fork slides into it easily and the meat shreds with very little effort. If the tenderloin is still firm when you try to pull it apart, let it continue cooking for another 30 to 60 minutes and check it again.
This is one place where a little patience pays off. You want tender pork that pulls apart easily rather than fighting it with two forks.
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Julie’s Tips for the Best Pulled Pork Tenderloin
You don’t have to sear it first. I designed this recipe to be easy. The pork goes right into the slow cooker without browning it in a skillet first.
Choose a BBQ sauce you already love. Its flavor will be noticeable in the finished dish, so this isn’t the time to use up that bottle nobody in the family likes.
Give it that extra time after shredding. Don’t skip putting the shredded pork back into the slow cooker. It gives every little piece a chance to soak up the sauce.
Check for tenderness instead of watching only the clock. Slow cookers can cook differently. The pork tells you it’s ready when it shreds easily.
What to Serve With BBQ Pulled Pork
We love this pulled pork piled onto buns for sandwiches. It’s an easy meal that doesn’t need much fuss on the side.
Apple Baked Beans are practically made for BBQ. They have bacon and a touch of sweetness that goes great with pulled pork.
For something cool and easy to make ahead, try this Three Bean Salad. It’s a great choice for cookouts and casual dinners.
Fire up the grill or turn on the oven for these Grilled Sweet Potato Packets. They make an easy side dish with very little cleanup.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
Refrigerate: Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: This BBQ pulled pork freezes great. I put it into a labeled freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months.
Reheat: When I just need a quick serving of leftovers, I reheat it in the microwave. You can also reheat the pork in a saucepan over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or BBQ sauce.
Ways to Use Leftover Pulled Pork Tenderloin
Pulled pork sandwiches are our go-to. They’re quick, easy, and especially handy when I don’t feel like turning leftovers into another whole production.
You can also use the leftover pulled pork for quesadillas, fried rice, melts, sliders, pizza, nachos, loaded baked potatoes, or rice bowls.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Easy Dinner Recipes
If pulled pork is popular at your house too, try our Instant Pot Pulled Pork Tacos for another easy way to get pulled pork on the table.
For another flavorful pork dinner, our Green Chili Pork combines tender pork with green chilies and warm spices.
Looking for another set-it-and-forget-it dinner? This Beef Caldereta is another hearty slow-cooker recipe that’s great for an easy family meal.
If you make this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tenderloin, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave me a comment below and don’t forget to give the recipe a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. Your feedback helps other readers know that it’s a recipe worth making too.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tenderloin
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork tenderloin we purchased 2 tenderloins weighing 1.5 pounds each.
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Unpack the pork tenderloin and pat it dry with a paper towel. Remove the silver skin.
- Place the pork tenderloin into the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle with paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and dry mustard evenly over the pork.
- Pour the chicken broth around the pork, then pour the BBQ sauce over the top.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours, or LOW for 6-7 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Transfer the pork to a large plate or cutting board. Using 2 forks, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for another 30-60 minutes, or until you’re ready to serve. This extra time allows the pork to soak up the sauce and become even more tender.
Notes
The pork tenderloin I purchased came as two 1 ½ pounds tenderloins in one package. If you’re using one large piece that weighs around 3 pounds, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly until it shreds easily with a fork. What is silver skin?
Silver skin is the thin, shiny membrane found on the outside of pork tenderloin. It doesn’t break down during cooking and can be tough to eat, so it’s best to trim it off with a sharp knife before adding the pork to the slow cooker. What is the best BBQ sauce to use?
Use your favorite BBQ sauce or homemade recipe. I love a sweet BBQ sauce, but you can use a honey base, smoky, or even spicy. Do I need to sear the pork first?
No. This recipe is designed to be as easy as possible. The pork develops plenty of flavor while it cooks in the seasonings and BBQ sauce. When do I know it’s done?
The pork is ready when a fork slides in easily and the meat shreds with very little effort. If it still feels firm, continue cooking for an additional 30-60 minutes before checking again. Why cook the pork longer after shredding?
Returning the shredded pork to the slow cooker lets every bite soak up the BBQ sauce. It also keeps the meat warm if you’re serving it later. How do I store leftovers?
In an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. How do I reheat BBQ pulled pork?
In the microwave or on the stove, in a saucepan, over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or BBQ sauce. How can I use the leftovers?
You can make quesadillas, fried rice, melts, sliders, pizza, nachos, loaded baked potatoes, or rice bowls. What can I serve with BBQ pulled pork?
Coleslaw, Macaroni and cheese, potato salad, French fries, pickles, corn on the cob.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
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