How Long to Cook a 10 lb Pulled Pork Roast in a Slow Cooker

Slow cooker pulled pork is incredibly juicy, tender and flavorful with the perfect blend of spices. It’s an easy “set it and forget it” slow cooker recipe that’ll you’ll love.

There are so many things you can do with pulled pork that it’s great for feeding a lot of people or making meals for the week. Plus, pulled pork tacos are the best!

Pulled pork is a classic dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. By cooking a large 10 lb pork shoulder roast slowly over several hours you can end up with incredibly moist and tender meat that shreds easily. But exactly how long does it take to cook a 10 lb pork roast in a slow cooker?

Overview of Cooking Times

In general, a good guideline is 1-1.5 hours per pound on the low setting for pulled pork. This means a 10 lb pork shoulder roast will take 10-15 hours in a slow cooker on low.

I recommend cooking for the full 15 hours if possible, as this extended time allows the collagen in the pork to fully break down into gelatin, ensuring super tender and succulent meat

Factors That Affect Cook Times

Several factors can impact how long it takes to cook pulled pork in a slow cooker:

Size of the roast – Larger roasts over 8 lbs will need a longer cook time closer to 15 hours per lb Smaller roasts may only need 1 hour per lb,
Bone-in or boneless – Bone-in roasts typically take slightly longer than boneless.
Meat shape – If the roast is very uneven in shape, it can lead to uneven cooking. Try to get an evenly shaped roast.
Slow cooker model – Some crockpots run a little hotter or cooler than others, which affects time. Get to know your model.
Fill level – Don’t overfill the crockpot. Leave some room around the meat for even cooking.
Temperature setting – Always cook on low, not high, for best texture.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps for perfect 10 lb pulled pork:

Trim excess fat: Trim off any hard fat caps and excess areas with thick fat. Leave about 1/4 inch.
Season the meat: Generously rub seasoning like a homemade pork dry rub all over the meat. Get the sides and ends too.
Add to slow cooker: Place seasoned pork in slow cooker. Don’t add any extra liquid.
Cook on low: Cover and cook for 15 hours on low until fork tender.
Shred the pork: Carefully remove pork to a cutting board. Let rest for 30 mins, then shred with forks.
Strain and add juices back: Pour juices into fat separator. Pour defatted juices over pork.
Flavor as desired: Toss shredded pork with your favorite BBQ sauce.

And that’s it – incredibly moist and fall-apart tender pulled pork cooked low and slow in the crockpot!

Troubleshooting

Pork not shredding easily? If after 15 hours the pork doesn’t shred easily with a fork, continue cooking until it does. Large roasts may need up to 18 hours.

Pork dried out? If the meat seems dry rather than moist and juicy, it’s likely overcooked. Next time, stop checking earlier at 13-14 hours.

Fat isn’t melting? If there are still hard pieces of fat after cooking, the meat needed a longer time to break it down. Cook for the full 15 hours next time.

Serving and Storing Leftovers

Serve pulled pork on buns with coleslaw and BBQ sauce for delicious sandwiches.
Top baked potatoes with shredded pork and cheese for pulled pork baked potatoes.
Stuff into omelets, burritos, nachos or baked potatoes for easy meals.
Refrigerate leftovers for 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave with a splash of water.
Freeze leftovers for 3-4 months. Thaw in fridge before reheating.

Cooking a 10 lb pork shoulder low and slow for 15 hours on the low setting will reward you with incredibly moist, fall-apart tender pulled pork full of flavor. Follow my steps for slow cooker success!

how long cook 10 lb pulled pork in slow cooker

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe Video

Want to know how to make the best pulled pork? Let me show you. Watch the quick tutorial video below!.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

My slow cooker is one of the most used appliances in my kitchen, right after my Vitamix. And it’s perfect for making the best slow cooker pulled pork you’ve ever tasted.

We’re all very busy, so it’s great to have a recipe that only needs 5 minutes to prepare and cooks itself. There’s definitely no slaving away in the kitchen with this recipe. In fact, it’s quite possibly the easiest pulled pork recipe that exists.

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

FAQ

Do you slow cook pork on high or low?

Place the pork in the slow cooker and set the timer for 8 hours on low (don’t use high – it’s much more tender cooked low and slow)

Can I slow cook pork for 14 hours?

Transfer the pork to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on the LOW setting until the pork is soft enough to pull apart with a spoon, 14 to 16 hours. Shred the meat. Transfer the pork to a large bowl and let stand until cool enough to handle.

Can you overcook pulled pork in slow cooker?

On low heat, cook for 8-10 hours; on high heat, cook for 5-6 hours. The pork should be fork-tender and easily shredded. Can you overcook pulled pork in a slow cooker? Yes, overcooking can lead to dry, tough meat.

Does pork get more tender the longer you slow cook it?

At around 2 hours, your pork chops will be cooked through (145°F) and have a texture similar to chicken breast — tender, but firm. Between 3 to 6 hours, the chops will have a texture closer to pulled pork; it will be easy to cut with a fork and will pull easily from the bone.

How long does pulled pork take to cook in a slow cooker?

Pulled pork joints weighing 4-6 lbs will take 4-6 hours in a slow cooker on the high setting and 6-8 hours on low. Cutting the joint into smaller portions speeds up the cooking time, but pulled pork is best cooked on a low setting for tender meat. It takes many hours to tenderize tough meat which is ideal for the slow cooker.

How long does pork shoulder take to cook in a slow cooker?

Wrapping the pork shoulder in grease paper rather than foil is preferable, as this allows the surface to breathe. An average pork joint for pulled pork will take 4-6 hours in a slow cooker on the high setting and 6-8 hours on the low setting to cook properly, depending on the size of the cut.

How long do you cook pork in a crock pot?

Place the pork in the slow cooker, cover with a lid, and cook on LOW for 10-12 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours. You may need to adjust the cooking time, depending on how hot your Crock Pot runs (and how big your pork is). The pork will be fall-apart tender when it reaches an internal temperature of 205°F.

How long should you cook pulled pork on a high setting?

Although cooking on a high setting can decrease the time, it is best to cook pulled pork for 6-10 hours on a low setting. This time allows the collagen and connective tissue to break down and will give you juicy meat that is flavorful and shreds easily.