Made with just four simple ingredients, Dr Pepper Pulled Pork is one of those effortless slow cooker recipes that has so much flavor. The hearty, juicy meat brings back memories of summer months spent at the lake eating food off the grill, but the best part?
The slow cooking process makes this a go-to recipe any time of the year—no smoker required!
![A slow cooker filled with Dr Pepper pulled pork.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dr-Pepper-Pulled-Pork-17.jpg)
Table of Contents
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
- 🧊 Easy make-ahead freezer meal
- 🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- 🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- Simple pulled pork is a seriously easy recipe that's budget-friendly and takes less than five minutes of prep.
- This makes fabulous pulled pork tacos and pork sandwiches for a hearty, flavor-packed meal—great for an easy lunch or quick dinner!
- Easy meals made simpler: you can buy wholesale store packs of pork tenderloin, combine the ingredients, and freeze for up to four months.
Slow cooker Dr Pepper pulled pork is the perfect way to get picky eaters excited about dinner—the whole family loves it!
Plus, since there are a variety of ways to serve it, this is a great recipe to make in bigger portions and enjoy all week or share with friends at cookouts, tailgate parties, and more.
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
![The recipe ingredients with text labels.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dr-Pepper-Pulled-Pork-ingredientsJPG.jpg)
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- Instead of pork tenderloin, use a boneless pork butt—often called Boston butt or pork shoulder. Add two to four hours of cooking time.
- I like the flavor from a can of Dr Pepper best, but you can swap it for something similar. Root beer, ginger ale, and Coca Cola are all good!
- Sweet and spicy lovers, listen up: add in a dash of cayenne pepper and some minced chipotle peppers in adobo for heat and smokiness.
- You can also add a few dashes of liquid smoke for flavor without heat.
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
![Seasoning the pork tenderloin.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dr-Pepper-Pulled-Pork-2.jpg)
Season the pork. Store in good quality freezer bags if you're prepping ahead.
![Adding the pork tenderloin to the slow cooker.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dr-Pepper-Pulled-Pork-4.jpg)
Place thawed, seasoned, sauced pork loin in the bottom of the slow cooker.
![Pouring the can of Dr Pepper into the slow cooker.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dr-Pepper-Pulled-Pork-5.jpg)
Pour the can of Dr. Pepper around the pork into the slow cooker.
![Shredding the Dr Pepper pulled pork in the slow cooker.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dr-Pepper-Pulled-Pork-8.jpg)
Cook. Use a couple of forks to shred the meat and stir it into the sauce to coat.
🧊 Easy make-ahead freezer meal
This is an easy meal to have ready in the freezer! Just add all the ingredients except Dr. Pepper to a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze flat for up to 4 months.
When you're ready to cook it, place the bag in the fridge overnight, dump the bag contents and the Dr Pepper in the slow cooker in the morning, and enjoy an easy dinner that night!
![Dr Pepper pulled pork in a freezer bag labeled for storage.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dr-Pepper-Pulled-Pork-3.jpg)
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -
Rather than removing the Dr Pepper pulled pork to a cutting board to shred, pull it apart carefully in the slow cooker. This is a great way to keep all those delicious juices in the sauce, making each bite perfect!
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- slow cooker
- zipper topped freezer bags
- measuring cup and spoons
🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat
Leftover shredded pork is delicious and keeps super well. Portion it into an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
You can also freeze cooked Dr Pepper pulled pork for up to three months. Let it thaw in the fridge to thaw overnight.
Slow-cooked meat reheats just fine in the microwave. However, you'll probably want to add a little bit of liquid (broth, water, or more soda) and a touch more BBQ sauce to freshen it up again!
Marye's Tip o' the day
Making pork sliders? Filling tiny sandwiches is much easier if you keep the bottom slider buns together—just dump all the pork and toppings on the connected buns, then add the top set of rolls. Finally, use a knife to cut the seams, separating the sandwiches.
Voila—quick, cleaner, and simpler!
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- Dr Pepper isn't just for flavor, though it does add a perfect sweetness to the pork. The acidity of soda also helps tenderize a leaner cut of meat.
- If you're watching your sugar intake, you can use a diet soda. I don't love the flavor, but if you do, then by all means, be my guest!
- Be sure to thaw the pork completely before cooking it. The best way to do so is in the fridge for 12-24 hours.
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
It just depends on what you like. Use your favorite barbecue sauce for the best flavor! Lots of people like Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce, but you can choose any kind, even homemade BBQ sauce!
Absolutely! Pork tenderloin is a great option because it's easy to find in the grocery store. The key to juicy meat is cooking it in the slow cooker with enough liquid!
Wait for the crockpot to cool just a bit. Then, stick two forks near each other in the meat and pull them away to shred the pork. Continue this motion until all the meat is shredded.
It's much easier to pull pork when it's still hot! Let it cool enough that you won't burn yourself, but don't let it cool all the way.
![Dr Pepper pulled pork on a sandwich bun with coleslaw.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dr-Pepper-Pulled-Pork-37.jpg)
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- Juicy and practically falling off the bone, Crockpot Dr Pepper County Style Ribs have mouthwatering flavor. (PS—prep takes just five minutes!)
- These Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Chops are sweet, sticky, and satisfying—the perfect hearty comfort meal after a long day!
- Coca Cola Glazed Pork Loin Roast is easy to make and delivers delicious, home-style flavor fit for any family dinner.
🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
![Closeup of homemade hamburger](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Homemade-Burger-Buns-feat-700x700.jpg)
You can't have pulled pork without Homemade Hamburger Buns. This is a great recipe for first-time bread makers—they taste soft, fresh, and sweet every time!
![Overhead view of coleslaw for feature image.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/coleslaw-feat-700x700.jpg)
Copycat KFC Coleslaw is done the proper Southern way, with the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The crisp texture makes it the ideal complement to pulled pork!
![Over head view of macaroni salad with a spoon in it for the feature image.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/macaroni-salad-feat-700x700.jpg)
With the classic flavor you remember, this Old-Fashioned Macaroni Salad hits the spot every time. It's quick to make and a good option for meal-prepping ahead of time, too!
🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose
Dr Pepper pulled pork is really versatile, so there are tons of ways to enjoy your leftovers:
- Street Tacos—Use corn tortillas and lean into the sweetness with pineapple salsa. Complement it with tangy red onion and fresh cilantro.
- Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese—This is comfort food at its finest, and is a great way to transform leftovers into something completely new!
- Pork Nachos—Layer tortilla chips on a baking sheet and add the pork and your favorite nacho toppings, like jalapeno, onion, and cheese.
- Leftover Pulled Pork Casserole—Layer your leftovers with beans, corn, onions, and cornbread for a fabulous, easy, quick crowd-pleaser.
- Loaded Potatoes—Add a hearty scoop of leftover pork to a halved baked potato. You can also use sweet potatoes if you prefer!
📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
Dr Pepper pulled pork is one of those super easy recipes I like to have year-round! It's delicious in everything from sandwiches to tacos, casseroles to salads.
Plus I like the ability to assemble the recipe and freeze it ahead of time! That works out great when pork goes on sale!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
![Overhead view of shredded Dr Pepper pulled pork in the crockpot.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dr-Pepper-Pulled-Pork-feat-150x150.jpg)
Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
Print Pin Recipe Save RecipeIngredients
- 1 pound pork tenderloin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 12- ounces Dr Pepper
Instructions
To Freeze
- Add all of the ingredients except for the Dr Pepper to a labeled freezer bag.
- Freeze flat.
To Cook
- Thaw the bag overnight in the refrigerator.
- Next day dump the contents of the bag into the slow cooker.
- Add the Dr Pepper.
- Set the cooker on low and cook for 8 hours, or until very tender.
- Shred with 2 forks and serve as desired.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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