Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy BBQ Pulled Pork
This Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork makes the perfect saucy summer sandwich.
This week’s #SundaySupper theme is recipes inspired by music.
So obviously I chose BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.
Are you confused yet?
For some reason I can’t possibly imagine, there aren’t a lot of songs about pork. I mean, what’s not to love? Pork chops, pulled pork, ribs, sausage, BACON?!
Wine, chocolate, sugar, margaritas, even banana pancakes get their own songs, but not pork.
Where’s the pork love musicians?!
Since Usher and Mumford and Sons don’t seem to be hopping on the pork bandwagon, the inspiration for this recipe came instead from a song about BBQ.
Growing up, I only knew this song as the “BBQ Stain” song, but it’s actually called “Something Like That” by Tim McGraw.
The chorus goes something like this:
“I had a barbeque stain on my white t-shirt
She was killing me in that miniskirt
Skippin’ rocks on the river by the railroad tracks
She had a suntan line and red lipstick
I worked so hard for that first kiss
And a heart don’t forget something like that”
I’m not a huge country fan, but for some reason I’ve always loved this song. To me, it’s the perfect summer song. It’s got young love, tan lines, the county fair, sunsets, and most importantly, BBQ stains.
There’s nothing quite like those giant BBQ pulled pork sandwiches served out of shady looking trailers at the fair. That flimsy paper container, a bun bigger than your face, the sweet, smoky pork dripping down the sides of your fingers.
There is no neat way to eat a sandwich like this. You may at first attempt to be graceful, but you will inevitably find yourself leaning over your tiny paper bowl, licking pork juice off your fingers, and trying desperately to finish this sandwich before it dissolves into a puddle of soggy BBQ bread.
And we all know that feeling…that dreadful moment…when a single shred of pork escapes and we watch, seemingly in slow motion, as it hurls itself straight for our nice clean shirt. Once it’s landed, there’s no use trying to get it off. Napkins only smear it further. Wet wipes simply make you look, well, wet. Not even a Tide pen can come to your rescue at that point. So you might as well just own it.
It’s the stain of summer, y’all.
Now typically, pulled pork is made by smoking a pork shoulder (aka:pork butt…who knows why?!) low and slow in a smoker for several hours.
But let’s face reality here. I don’t have a smoker and even if I did, ain’t nobody got time for that!
What I do have time for is 15 minutes and a crockpot. This is one of the easiest recipes I’ve ever made, and it makes such a perfectly sweet and spicy BBQ pork. You’re going to love it.
How to Make Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork
- Chop up 2 peaches and 1 onion and place them in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Stir in a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce and a couple chipotle peppers, place the pork on top, and spoon some sauce over the whole thing.
- Turn the crockpot to low and walk away for 8 hours.
- When you return, the pork will practically shred when you look at it. The sauce will be thick and sweet, with a kick of heat and hint of smokiness from the chipotle peppers. If you’re weirded out by the peaches, don’t be. They cook down completely, so you won’t even notice them in the end product. All you’ll notice is the nice mellow sweetness they lend to the sauce.
The Mr. and I decided that the recipe below is just the right amount of heat for universal appeal, but if you and your guests can handle spicy foods, feel free to increase the chipotle peppers. I think if it’s just us, I’ll add two peppers plus 2 teaspoons of sauce for a little more heat.
What to Serve with BBQ Pulled Pork
If you’d like, you can whip up a quick slaw to top these off. I served these on mini Hawaiian rolls because I wanted to substantially increase our chances of ruining all of our clothes, but you can feel free to use whatever kind of bun you like.
My favorite thing to serve with slow cooker pulled pork is Creamy Mac and Cheese, but if you’re looking for something lighter, this Cucumber Tomato Salad makes a great fresh and tangy side dish.
This recipe feeds a crowd, so invite the gang over for some true summer fare. You just might want to provide some bibs…and wet wipes. Or tell them to where black.
Ya know, just in case.
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe
A little sweet and a little spicy, this BBQ pulled pork is definitely a crowd pleaser!
Ingredients
For the pork:
- 1 sweet yellow onion, chopped
- 2 large ripe peaches, chopped
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, chopped + 2 teaspoons adobo sauce
- 1 bottle BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's original)
- 2-3 lbs. pork shoulder or pork butt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Kosher Salt
- Pepper
For the slaw:
- 2 cups shredded coleslaw
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 Tablespoon apple cider vineger
- 8 Hawaiian rolls
Instructions
- In the bottom of your slow cooker, stir together the onion, peaches, chipotle pepper, and BBQ sauce.
- Trim excess fat from around the outside of the pork then season it generously on both sides with Kosher salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Place the pork on top of the BBQ mixture and spoon some of the sauce over top.
- Cook on low for 8 hours. Remove the pork from the crockpot and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to gently pull apart the meat, then return it to the crockpot.
- For the slaw, whisk together mayo, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add shredded coleslaw and jalapeno and stir to combine.
- To serve, scoop meat onto buns and top with slaw.
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What size bottle of sweet baby rays?
These sandwiches are pretty much the perfect illustration of the chorus of that song! I forsee many a barbeque stain coming from their oozy goodness! YUM!
Something Like That is one of my favorite country songs! I just love the imagery in it! Oh, and this pulled pork looks divine!
Messy sandwiches like this are the best! Love the addition of peaches too – everything’s better with peaches!
Got to have slaw with pulled pork BBQ!
Nice recipe. You have 8mins for cook time though, not 8 hours.
Thank you for the catch!
Courtney, your posts are always one of my favourites. You crack me up, girl. And nothing says summer like a big ol’ barbeque stain. I’m in the “just lick it off your shirt so you don’t waste that sauce” camp. Anyone with me? Anyone? These sliders are adorable and I love that you made it quick ‘n easy in a crockpot. I’m digging the addition of peaches – I bet it gives this dish the perfect sweet flavour.
Right back at you Nancy! I think we share a similar sense of humor. And by the way, I am totally in that camp! Usually only in the privacy of my own home, but I’ve been known to lick a shirt at a county fair or two. 🙂
These pulled pork sliders look SO good! I love the sweet and spicy combo and well … I just love everything about them! I would be so happy with a plate of these right now.
Love, love, love this! Love the peaches. Love the slaw. And love your pictures! This will be our next pulled pork adventure!
Thank you! You’ll have to come back and let me know how you liked them!
Ahh, teh cute pork sliders!!!! I kind of want to coo over them before shoving them in my face. I so need a slow-cooker. I love sweet and spicy and I love pulled pork and I want some of this.
The slow cooker is indispensable in my house–especially in the fall. I love coming home to dinner already made. Such a treat!
Awesome pictures! My stomach is gurgling already.
Yep. If you don’t have a smoker, a slow cooker is the way to go when your preparing pulled pork. I made one recently too but it was a Carolina style which is more vinegar based. I like the sweet element in yours, however.
One day I hope to get the chance to try the real thing, but for now I’m really happy with the way this turned out!
Love the whole post, and of course pulled pork rocks! As does eating sloppy food. Peaches in the recipe, sounds amazing!
Seriously, where’s the bacon love in music today? Bacon is like, all the rage right now, right? These sandwiches look ridiculously good. Fresh peaches in bbq sauce? That’s so creative and awesome!
I know…everyone is all, Bacon is the best, but no one wants to sing about it. Go figure.
These are totally calling my name now and really makes me want to break out my slow-cooker! Beautiful photos too.
Mmm, my grandma would love this! She loves BBQ Pulled Pork
Your photos are amazing! I was ready to lick the screen!!!! And I love your song inspiration, too.
Great photos, I am always on the pork train!!!
I’m on the pork lovin’ train…in the front! I have plenty a stained shirt to prove it, too ;). These look amazing…and now I’ll be singing that song all day.
Haha! Don’t we all?!
Laughing because I cannot seem to eat a BBQ sandwich without some of it landing on my shirt. I’m using this recipe next time I make crock pot pork BBQ. Nice use of peaches and the kick from the peppers.
Thanks! And I’m so glad it’s not just me. How many shirts have I ruined this way?!
I love love love cooking in my slow cooker. I use it at least once a week on nights we run after work. We also make pulled pork a lot and I am always looking for new recipes. This one is awesome!
I don’t care about neatness! I just want one of these sandwiches!
Yum! I love pulled pork and this looks fabulous.
Great crockpot recipe! Your shredded pork looks amazing!!!!!!!!!! I want a few of these sandwiches!!
I’m so intrigued. When and if I get a slow cooker (everyone says I must) I’ll have to place a peach in with the barbecue sauce. Thank you for the tip.
Appreciate also the laugh…Maybe some musicians will hear your plea for a pork song…On the other hand, is there a melody that accompanies the 3 Little Pigs? =)