Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe Easiest Ever Made

Crafting a mouth-watering pulled pork with dr pepper brings unexpected magic to your dinner table.

Sweet carbonation tenderizes meat in ways traditional marinades cannot match.

Slow cooking lets complex flavors meld beautifully throughout the dish.

The soda’s unique profile adds surprising depth to standard barbecue techniques.

Tender shreds of pork will make you the hero of any gathering.

Southern-style comfort meets modern culinary creativity in this simple yet impressive recipe.

You’ll want to bookmark this game-changing method for future meal planning.

Dr Pepper Pulled Pork That’s Sticky, Sweet, and Savory

• Effortless Slow Cooker Magic
• Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and walk away, letting the appliance do all the hard work while you tackle other tasks.
• Dr Pepper adds unexpected sweetness and depth, transforming ordinary pork into a mouthwatering meal that surprises and delights taste buds.
• Easily adapt this pulled pork for sandwiches, tacos, nachos, or rice bowls, making it perfect for casual family dinners or game day gatherings.
• Cook for 8-10 hours on low, meaning you can start the recipe before work and return to a delicious, ready-to-serve dinner that requires minimal final preparation.

Ingredients That Make Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Shine

• Pork Shoulder: Prime cut for slow cooking, tender and flavorful, perfect for pulling apart.

• Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper: Aromatic spice mix that creates a deep, complex flavor profile for the meat, can adjust heat level with cayenne.

• Dr Pepper, Barbecue Sauce: Sweet and tangy liquid that helps tenderize meat and add rich flavor, Dr Pepper provides unique caramelized undertones.

• Onions: Adds moisture and subtle sweetness, creates a flavorful base in the slow cooker.

• Sandwich Buns, Tortillas: Versatile carriers for the pulled pork, allows for different meal presentations.

How to Make Dr Pepper Pulled Pork in Steps

Step 1: Blend Spice Magic

• Grab paprika
• Collect garlic powder
• Fetch onion powder
• Retrieve salt
• Pick black pepper
• Optional: cayenne pepper

Combine all spices in a small mixing bowl. Pat pork shoulder completely dry using paper towels. Massage spice blend thoroughly across entire meat surface, ensuring total coverage.

Step 2: Create Slow Cooker Foundation

• Slice onions into thin rings
• Layer onion rings across slow cooker bottom
• Position seasoned pork shoulder directly on onion bed
• Pour entire Dr Pepper soda over meat and onions

Step 3: Slow Cook To Perfection

• Low setting: 8-10 hours
• High setting: 4-5 hours

Meat should become supremely tender, effortlessly falling apart when touched with fork.

Step 4: Transform Into Pulled Goodness

Remove pork carefully from slow cooker. Transfer to large cutting board. Shred meat using two forks, eliminating excess fat chunks. Drain cooking liquid, reserving one cup. Return shredded meat to slow cooker. Add barbecue sauce, mixing thoroughly. Adjust moisture by incorporating reserved liquid if needed.

Step 5: Serve And Enjoy

• Soft sandwich buns
• Corn tortillas
• Alongside favorite side dishes

Tips That Help Your Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Stay Juicy

• Optimize Meat Selection: Choose a well-marbled pork shoulder (Boston butt) with good fat content for maximum tenderness and flavor, ensuring the meat stays juicy during slow cooking.
• Spice Rub Secrets: Massage the spice mixture thoroughly into every surface of the meat, allowing the seasonings to penetrate deeply and create a robust flavor profile.
• Liquid Magic: Use room temperature Dr Pepper to help break down the meat fibers and infuse a subtle sweetness that complements the savory spices in the rub.
• Shredding Pro Technique: Let the cooked pork rest for 10-15 minutes before shredding to allow juices to redistribute, making the meat more tender and easier to pull apart.
• Flavor Boost Option: Mix a splash of the reserved cooking liquid with barbecue sauce to create a more complex, layered sauce that enhances the overall taste of the pulled pork.

Store Dr Pepper Pulled Pork for Later Without Drying It Out

• Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days to maintain freshness and food safety.
• Pack cooled pulled pork in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
• Warm refrigerated pulled pork in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of reserved cooking liquid or broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Place pulled pork in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warm.

Side Ideas That Pair Great with Dr Pepper Pulled Pork

• Crisp, zesty cabbage salad cuts through the rich, sweet meat, balancing flavors and adding refreshing crunch.
• Soft, slightly sweet cornbread absorbs pulled pork juices, creating a mouthwatering combination that highlights the dish's smoky-sweet profile.
• Select amber ales or hoppy IPAs that mirror Dr Pepper's complex sweetness, enhancing the pork's caramelized notes and providing a smooth drinking experience.
• Tangy pickled jalapeños or quick-pickled red onions add bright acidity, cutting through the meat's richness and providing a zingy counterpoint.

Flavor Variants to Try with Dr Pepper Pulled Pork

• Spicy Jalapeño Pulled Pork: Replace Dr Pepper with Mexican Coca-Cola and add diced jalapeños to the slow cooker for an extra kick of heat.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Option: Use gluten-free barbecue sauce and serve on gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Skip the buns and serve over cauliflower rice or create a low-carb pulled pork salad with fresh greens and avocado.
• Smoky Chipotle Variation: Swap Dr Pepper with root beer and mix in chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a rich, smoky flavor profile.

Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Savor Dr Pepper pulled pork’s irresistible blend of sweet and tangy flavors that dance across your palate. Southern comfort meets culinary magic in this slow-cooked masterpiece you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 45 pounds (20.4 kilograms) boneless pork shoulder (also known as pork butt)

Liquid and Sauce:

• 2 cups (473 milliliters) Dr Pepper soda
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) barbecue sauce

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) paprika
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) onion powder
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 large onion, sliced

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Instructions

1. Craft the flavor foundation by mixing paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper into a robust spice blend.
2. Meticulously pat the pork shoulder dry and massage the entire spice mixture into the meat, creating an even, aromatic coating.
3. Layer sliced onions across the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a savory bed for the seasoned pork.
4. Gently nestle the seasoned pork shoulder atop the onions and generously pour Dr Pepper over the meat, allowing the soda to infuse its distinctive sweetness.
5. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the pork to transform, cooking on low temperature for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the meat becomes impossibly tender.
6. Carefully transfer the cooked pork to a spacious cutting surface and use two forks to deconstruct the meat, effortlessly shredding while removing excessive fat.
7. Strain the cooking liquid, preserving approximately one cup for potential moisture enhancement.
8. Reintroduce the shredded pork to the slow cooker, thoroughly incorporating barbecue sauce and supplementing with reserved liquid if needed for optimal texture.
9. Serve the succulent pulled pork warm, offering versatile serving options like sandwich buns, tacos, or as a hearty main course.

Notes

• Choose a fatty cut of pork shoulder or Boston butt for maximum tenderness and flavor that melts in your mouth.
• Low and slow cooking breaks down tough muscle fibers, creating incredibly juicy and tender meat that shreds effortlessly.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper quantity or using mild/spicy barbecue sauce to suit different taste preferences.
• Leftovers freeze beautifully in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making meal prep a breeze for future quick dinners.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg