This 5-ingredient slow cooker pork is exactly the kind of Labor Day recipe I lean on when I want something hearty and crowd-pleasing without spending the whole day in the kitchen. A raw boneless pork shoulder roast transforms into tender, flavorful pulled pork with just a few pantry staples, making it perfect for a relaxed holiday meal, game-day-style sandwiches, or easy meal prep for a busy week.
Serve this juicy shredded pork on toasted buns with coleslaw and pickles, or plate it with classic cookout sides like baked beans, potato salad, corn on the cob, or macaroni and cheese. It also works well tucked into tortillas, spooned over rice, or piled onto baked potatoes if you want to stretch it into a few different meals.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Labor Day Pork Shoulder
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 boneless pork shoulder roast, about 3 to 4 pounds
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions
1. Place the raw boneless pork shoulder roast in the bottom of your slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
3. Pour the sauce mixture over the pork, cover, and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours, until the pork is very tender and shreds easily with a fork.
4. Transfer the cooked pork to a large bowl or cutting board and shred it with two forks. Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid if needed.
5. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and toss with enough cooking liquid to keep it moist and flavorful. Serve warm on buns, over rice, or with your favorite cookout sides.
Variations & Tips
Make it smokier: If you like a cookout-style flavor, add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika or a few drops of liquid smoke along with the sauce ingredients. It gives the pork a deeper backyard barbecue taste even though it was made indoors.
Keep it meal-prep friendly: This pork reheats beautifully, so I like to portion leftovers into airtight containers with a little extra cooking liquid to keep everything moist. It is great for sandwiches, rice bowls, tacos, and baked potato toppings throughout the week.
Adjust the sweetness: Use a sweeter barbecue sauce for a more classic party-style pulled pork, or choose a tangier one and reduce the brown sugar slightly if your family prefers a less sweet finish. Since sauces vary a lot, taste the liquid at the end and adjust before serving.
Easy serving tip: For a Labor Day spread, keep the shredded pork warm in the slow cooker on the warm setting and let everyone build their own plates or sandwiches. Set out buns, slaw, pickles, and extra sauce to make it feel effortless but still special.