Coca-Cola Pulled Pork is a mouthwatering dinner option that is effortless and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. This delicious twist on a classic barbecue dish lets you bring the rich, smoky flavors of slow-cooked pulled pork right into your kitchen—no smoker required!
This recipe uses your slow cooker to combine the sweetness of Coca-Cola with the savory depth of pork shoulder, transforming it into an irresistibly tender meal. It is ridiculously easy to make, perfect for those days you know you will be too busy to cook.
Just dump the ingredients in the morning and let the slow cooker work magic. Whether you’re hosting a party or need a satisfying family dinner, this dish scales beautifully, so everyone gets their fill of tender, flavorful pork.
In this post, we’ll walk through this easy-to-make recipe step by step, and I’ll share my best tips, including how to serve this versatile dish in ways that’ll have your whole family reaching for seconds.
If you want more easy slow cooker recipes that will feed a crowd, I’ve got you covered! Try slow cooker Italian beef sandwiches, Crockpot pineapple meatballs, and crockpot hot dogs.
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🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Pork shoulder: Bone-in or boneless pork shoulder works fine in the recipe.
- Coca Cola
- Liquid smoke: This gives your pork that smoky, off-the-grill flavor.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce or whip up a homemade one.
- Salt
- Black pepper
🥣How to Make Coca-Cola Pulled Pork
- First, place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker, then season it with salt and pepper. There is no need to get fancy with the seasoning here; Coca-Cola and BBQ sauce will do all the heavy lifting flavor-wise.
- Next, pour the Coca-Cola over the pork and add the liquid smoke. The soda will caramelize as it cooks, giving your pork a beautiful color and flavor.
- Set your slow cooker to low and let it do its thing for 8-10 hours. If you’re in a rush, you can set it to high and cook for 5 hours.
- Once your pork is cooked and tender enough to fall apart at the mere sight of a fork, remove it from the pot and shred it.
- Then, toss it back into the pot or in a casserole dish, add the BBQ sauce, and give it a good stir until every strand of pork is coated.
🍴Serving Ideas
My favorite way to serve this is as a pulled pork sandwich on a warm bun with a dollop of coleslaw. The soft bun, tangy slaw, and sweet, slightly tangy pork make for an out-of-this-world flavor combo.
If you’re not a bread person, try serving the pulled pork over a bed of steamed rice. It’s equally satisfying, I promise. For a low-carb option, you can also pair it with a side of roasted veggies. You can also use this as a filling for tacos or quesadillas.
Pair your pulled pork with all the classic BBQ sides – mac salad, cornbread, pickled jalapenos, baked beans, and corn on the cob.
💭How to Store
You can store the leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay good for about 3-4 days. But, if you’re like me and have cooked enough to feed an army, you can freeze it.
Just make sure to portion it into meal-sized servings before you freeze it. This way, you won’t have to defrost a giant block of pulled pork when you only need enough for one meal.
To reheat, toss it in a pan on the stove over medium heat. Stir it occasionally to prevent it from drying out.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Cooking your pork on low for longer is the secret to achieving that melt-in-the-mouth tenderness. Slow cookers were invented for a reason, and boy, do they shine in this recipe.
- When it comes to pulled pork, not all cuts are created equal. So, what’s the best cut for this recipe? In my house, it’s all about the pork butt or shoulder. It’s full of flavor and the perfect amount of fat to keep your pork juicy and tender.
- You might be tempted to use diet or zero-sugar Coca-Cola in this recipe, but don’t. The regular, full-sugar version is the best option. The sugar caramelizes and blends with the barbecue sauce, creating a sweet, tangy flavor that’s just out of this world.
- Are you wondering if it is OK to use Pepsi instead? Yes, it will be fine. You can also try Dr Pepper or root beer. They will give the pork a slightly different taste but still be delicious.
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Coca-Cola Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pork shoulder roast 4 to 5-pound
- 1 can Coca Cola 12-ounce
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.1 pork shoulder roast, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Pour the soda over the pork and add the liquid smoke.1 can Coca Cola, 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- Set the slow cooker to cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours.
- When the meat is cooked through, remove it from the pot and shred it. Add the BBQ sauce and stir to coat before serving.2 cups BBQ sauce
Notes
- Cooking your pork on low for longer is the secret to achieving that melt-in-the-mouth tenderness.
- I like to use the pork shoulder or butt. It’s full of flavor and the perfect amount of fat to keep your pork juicy and tender.
- Don’t use diet or low-sugar soda in this recipe.
- If you prefer Pepsi to Coke, use that instead.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
