Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork

While I’ve certainly heard of making pulled pork by slowly cooking pork shoulder in sugary soda, it’s always seemed like a novelty and not something I particularly wanted to eat.

But on a recent jaunt to San Francisco, of all places, I had an unexpected opportunity to try it. You can guess what happened next!

I was in the city for work, but for all of my meals, I made a point to go out and tick another well-known San Francisco restaurant off of my bucket list. Arctic char amandine at Monsieur Benjamin? Check. The roast chicken at Zuni Cafe? Check. Cocktails at Smuggler’s Cove? Many checks, plus one hangover.

The Chairman was the last restaurant on my list. This is the brick and mortar restaurant that grew from the popular food truck, Chairman Bao. The restaurant, like the food truck, specializes in a very limited menu of modern Chinese steamed buns called bao.

One of the bao I ate happened to be filled with a Coca-Cola braised pork and, guys… guys… it was so flippin’ good. This was “lick every drop of sauce off my fingers,” “moaning with every bite,” “undoubtedly making a scene in the restaurant” good.

So, naturally, I had to try and recreate this pulled pork at home.

Now, my recipe isn’t quite the same as what I had in San Francisco. Obviously, I’ve used Dr Pepper instead of Coke since that’s the soda I enjoy, but feel free to use either one – or any other cola-type soda you prefer.

In addition, I’ve simplified the recipe for the slow cooker, which results in less sticky glaze than The Chairman’s recipe, but more juice – something I prefer with pulled pork.

The resulting pork is outstanding. It’s sweet, salty, and a little bit spicy. While you could use this pulled pork in all sorts of ways (steamed buns, tacos, sandwiches…), I personally enjoyed mounding it on a bun slathered with chili-mayo and topped with sweet-n-sour pickled red onions. Enjoy!

Bonus Tip!

What to do with the leftover liquid from cooking the pork? I actually just leave the liquid in the pot, add some stock or water to thin it out and a cup of dried beans. Let the beans soak overnight and then set the slow cooker once again for 10 hours. The result? Best. Beans. Ever. In fact, I do this often with leftover slow cooker juices.

Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
• 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder or pork butt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 red onions, cut into slices
• 1 12-ounce can Dr Pepper (or any other cola-type soda you prefer)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, any favorite variety
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon chili flakes, depending on how spicy you like it
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcester sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional for extra smoky flavor)
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed

Special Equipment:

• 6-quart or larger slow cooker

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