Here’s The Best One-Pot Pulled Pork Recipe And 14 Delicious Ways To Use It

Here is a savory pulled pork recipe that you can use for multiple meals throughout the week without getting bored. I’ve put together 14 delicious suggestions you can use for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute lunches.

Lately, one of my favorite things to make is this pulled pork recipe that can be used in so many different ways. I have a new baby and a hungry husband, and I can’t cook every day. This easy, hands-off recipe has helped save so much time and energy. Once the pork is cooked, I can add it to sandwiches, salads and pasta throughout the week for quick meals I can pull together in minutes. Scroll down to read all the ways you can use pulled pork and see the recipe!

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This pulled pork recipe yields a high volume of meat with little prep work and only one pot. The pork slow cooks in the oven or slow cooker, so you have minimal active cooking time. With the oven doing most of the work, it frees up time to do other activities while I’m preparing for the week ahead. The best part is it is so versatile, you won’t get bored eating the leftovers. 

You can make this pulled pork recipe below in your oven or in your slow cooker. If using your oven, you should use a large, oven-safe pot or dutch oven. If you don’t have a dutch oven, consider buying this one from Amazon. It helps to keep cookware to one pot – you can sear food in it on the stovetop, and then transition the pot right to the oven. It’s affordable and can be used for many different recipes including for roasts, soups and fried foods. If you would like to make this pulled pork recipe using a slow cooker, you can set your slow cooker to low and cook the roast for 7-8 hours, depending on the size.

Pulled Pork Recipe: Ways To Use It

SANDWICH MEAL IDEAS: BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with mustard vinaigrette coleslaw on a roll are is a classic way to serve pulled pork. But you can use the pork for any type of sandwich you’d like. Try Pulled Pork Quesadillas with melted Colby jack cheese served with salsa, sour cream and guacamole. Or make it Mediterranean and use the pork for Pulled Pork Pitas with lettuce, tomato, onions and tzatziki sauce. Keep reading to see the full list of 14 pulled pork meal ideas!

TEX-MEX MEAL IDEAS: Pulled pork can be such a versatile protein to use for Tex-Mex inspired meals. In addition to the previously mentioned quesadilla, you can also make so many other Tex-Mex dishes. Try a Burrito Bowl with pulled pork, rice, black beans, peppers, onions and avocado. Or make game day extra special and put together some Pulled Pork Nachos with shredded cheddar and jack cheese, tomatoes, and jalapenos. And Pulled Pork Tacos with chipotle sauce and crunchy cabbage and carrot slaw will be a hit with everyone on Taco Tuesday.

PASTA MEAL IDEAS: One fantastic way to use pulled pork is in pasta dishes. You can boil pasta in 10 minutes and have an easy dinner on the table in no time. Try Rigatoni with Pork Ragu – heat your favorite tomato sauce, then add the pulled pork and pasta. Or win over the kids with a next-level Mac and Cheese dish. Take your favorite boxed version and top with pulled pork for a mouth-watering meal.

LOW CARB MEAL IDEAS: If you are looking for some lighter meal ideas without the bread, try a Pulled Pork and Apple Salad with butter lettuce, pumpkin seeds and cider vinaigrette. Or make Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps by mixing the pork with some ginger soy sauce, then add that to Boston lettuce leaves and top with diced celery and carrots. You can also make a quick Pulled Pork Stir Fry with frozen veggies and soy garlic sauce over cauliflower rice.

BREAKFAST MEAL IDEAS: You don’t need to only use pulled pork for lunch and dinner – it makes for a wonderful ingredient at breakfast time too! Try making a Sweet Potato Hash with pulled pork and top with an egg. Or whip up some Scrambled Eggs with a side of pulled pork instead of bacon or sausage. And you can change up the typical BEC (bacon, egg and cheese) and create a PEC – Pork, egg and cheese sandwich on an English muffin or bagel. Keep scrolling to see the detailed pulled pork recipe!

14 Pulled Pork Recipe Meal Ideas List

• BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with mustard vinaigrette coleslaw on a roll
• Pulled Pork Quesadillas with melted Colby jack cheese served with salsa, sour cream and guacamole
• Pulled Pork Pitas with lettuce, tomato, onion and tzatziki sauce
• Burrito Bowl with pulled pork, rice, black beans, peppers, onions and avocado
• Pulled Pork Nachos with shredded cheddar and jack cheese, tomatoes, jalapenos
• Pork tacos with chipotle sauce and crunchy cabbage and carrot slaw
• Rigatoni with Pork Ragu – cook your favorite tomato sauce and add the pulled pork and pasta
• Mac and Cheese – take your favorite boxed version and top with pulled pork for a complete meal
• Pulled Pork and Apple Salad with butter lettuce, pumpkin seeds and cider vinaigrette
• Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps with soy ginger sauce and diced carrots and celery
• Pulled Pork Stir Fry with frozen veggies stir-fried with soy garlic sauce over cauliflower rice
• Pulled Pork Sweet Potato Hash topped with an egg
• Scrambled Eggs and Pulled Pork
• PEC – Pork, egg and cheese sandwich on an English muffin or bagel

Pulled Pork Recipe Ingredients

• Bone-in pork shoulder roast (if boneless, cut the cooking time based on weight, see below)
• Vegetable oil
• 3-4 large onions, quartered
• 8 oz chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

Pulled Pork Recipe Steps

Make sure your oven rack is in the lower third position. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Mix all of the spices (salt, pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne) together in a small bowl. Pat your pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then cover the pork with your blended spice rub all over. Make sure to pat it down with your hands on all sides.

In a large oven-safe pot or dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil on medium-high heat. This is when you will want to put on your exhaust fan or open your windows. I always do this when searing or broiling to limit the amount of smoke in the kitchen. Sear the pork shoulder on each side for about 6-7 minutes per side. This browns the outside and seals in all of the juices, making for the best-tasting oven-roasted pork. Don’t skip this step if you can help it!

Remove the seared pork and add in the sliced onions. Pour some broth in the pot to cover the bottom with liquid, and add a few drops of the liquid smoke. Put the seared pork on top of the onions, and place the lid on the pot or dutch oven. Place in the oven and roast for about 7-8 hours (if you have a 7-8 lb pork roast). 

Remove pork shoulder from pot and place on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the pork into small pieces. Separate any large pieces of fat or bones and discard them. Discard the onions and cooking juices from the pot. Serve or place the pork in a food storage container. See serving suggestions above – there are so many options with pulled pork and it’s a great way to make something that you can use for a variety of meals! Scroll down for cooking time tips!

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Pulled Pork Recipe Cooking Times

You want it to roast for about 1 hour for every pound. You want it to be around 205 degrees internal temperature. Use a thermometer to be sure. If you don’t have one, you can use my trick below!

Trick: to know if the roast is done, shake your pot and if it jiggles and separates from the bone, it is done cooking. You can take two forks and see if it easily pulls apart and shreds. It should be very easy to pull apart – if not, it needs more time. Put it back in and check every twenty minutes or so!

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