10 March, 2021
Slow-Cooked Coca-Cola BBQ Pulled Pork
The title is a mouthful and admittedly sounds kind of weird, but trust me, this is a recipe you’re not going to want to lose. If you like BBQ pulled pork plain or on a bun, you’ll love this recipe. It’s cheap, easy, sweet, smoky, savory, and sure to please even the pickiest of eaters at your dinner table. And yes, I am about to tell you to boil a hunk of pig in some Coke. Just trust me.
Oh, and if you’re living that 2020 life and running at the very barest bones of your pantry, here’s a much simpler recipe in the same spirit that uses root beer instead.
Ingredients
4-5 lb Pork roast (shoulder works well)
4 cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 tsp Smoked paprika (or 1 tsp liquid smoke)
2 tsp Dried onion
1 tsp Pepper
1/2 tsp Cayenne
1 tsp Red pepper flakes
1 L Coca-Cola (grab a 2-liter bottle so you have a little extra)
20 oz Barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s is my go-to)
1-2 tsp Hot sauce (use one with a smoky profile like chipotle or black garlic)
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Trim your pork roast so that any thick sections of fat have been removed (it’ll make cleanup once it’s cooked a lot easier). Place it in the bottom of your crockpot and season with garlic and spices before pouring the soda over everything, making sure the roast is submerged. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Once the meat is cooked, carefully drain the liquid from the pot. I recommend against trying to pick up the meat. It will fall apart and end up everywhere!
Use a pair of tongs and a fork to remove any remaining chunks of fat (or leave them if the texture doesn’t bother you). Shred the meat before adding the barbecue sauce and hot sauce. Mix everything together to thoroughly coat the pork. Serve as-is or on hamburger rolls. Save any leftovers to put on mac n cheese (or reheat them).
