Root Beer Pulled Pork Recipe For Two – An Easy Crock Pot Recipe

If you’re looking for an easy, delicious & affordable recipe for lunch or dinner, then you have to try this Root Beer Pulled Pork for two! With only 3 simple ingredients, this recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight or on a weekend when you don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

In fact, the only thing that is required is to put the 3 ingredients in the slow cooker and turn it on and let it cook for several hours. Unlike many roast recipes there is no need to sear the meat or chop up vegetables before they go inside the slow cooker.

Instead, you add the meat, root beer and barbecue sauce and let it cook all day. The combination of the sweet root beer and the smoky barbecue sauce creates a unique and irresistible flavor to the meat.

Once the pork is tender enough to shred with two forks you can serve it in a variety of ways. It can be served on its own, in sandwiches, or in tacos. It can also be used as a topping for pizza or nachos.

Not only is the taste amazing, I also like this recipe because the ingredients required are relatively inexpensive, making it a budget-friendly option. In fact, this recipe cost me less than $1 per serving.

However with the delicious taste of the pulled pork, you would never guess that it was so inexpensive to make. Best of all you can freeze the shredded meat to eat later so not a single ounce goes to waste!

What Type of Meat Makes the Best Pulled Pork

The best meat for pulled pork is pork shoulder, pork butt or Boston butt. They have a higher fat content which helps keep the meat moist and tender during the cooking process.

Pork shoulder also has a lot of connective tissue which breaks down when properly cooked and gives the meat its characteristically tender texture.

How Much Pulled Pork Per Person

When it comes to serving size, a general rule of thumb is to plan for 1/3-1/2 pound of cooked and shredded pork per person. However, when you go to purchase the roast, be mindful that the roast will shrink in size when cooked.

Therefore, plan to purchase a roast that is at least 40-50% larger than your serving amount. For instance, a 1 1/3-pound pork shoulder will yield about 3-4 (large) servings.

Why Include Root Beer?

You might be wondering why root beer is used in this recipe. The answer is simple, it adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the meat.

The carbonation in the root beer also helps to tenderize the meat, making it even more juicy and delicious. If you don’t have root beer on hand, you can substitute with cola or another sweet soda like Dr. Pepper.

What Type of Barbecue Sauce to Use

As for the barbecue sauce, you can use your favorite store-bought brand or make your own. Just make sure that it compliments the sweetness of the root beer and doesn’t overpower it.

I prefer to use a smoky style of barbecue sauce. The smoke flavor pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the root beer.

The Key Is To Cook Low & Slow

When cooking the pork, it’s important to cook it low and slow for the best results. This means cooking it on low heat for a long period of time, rather than on high heat for a shorter amount of time.

This allows the meat to cook evenly and become tender. Although many recipes call for cooking the pork shoulder on high heat I don’t recommend it as it will not become as tender as when cooked on low.

How to Shred Root Beer Pulled Pork

After the pork has cooked for 10 hours on low, it’s time to shred it. This can easily be done with two forks and right in the slow cooker.

The meat should be tender enough to shred easily, but if it’s not continue cooking it for another hour or so until it’s fully tender.

Then simply pull the meat apart until it’s shredded to your desired texture. Be sure to discard any fatty pieces for best results.

Ways to Serve Root Beer Pulled Pork

There are many ways to serve barbecue pulled pork. It can be served on a bun with coleslaw and pickles for a classic sandwich, or on a bed of rice or mashed potatoes for a heartier meal.

You can even add it to tacos, nachos or pizza for a fun twist. The possibilities are endless.

Possible Recipe Variations

While the basic recipe for Root Beer Pulled Pork for Two is simple and delicious, there are plenty of ways to mix it up and make it your own. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Add Some Heat: If you like a little kick in your pulled pork, try adding some chopped jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the slow cooker. You could also use a spicy barbecue sauce to give it some extra heat.

Sweeten it up: While the root beer and barbecue sauce provide a nice balance of sweet and tangy flavors, you could also experiment with adding some honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup to the mix.

Change Up the Meat: While pork shoulder is the classic choice for pulled pork, you could also try beef brisket or chicken thighs. However, the cook time can vary significantly when using another type of meat.

Use A Different Sauce: If you’re not a fan of traditional barbecue sauce, try using a different type of sauce instead. Teriyaki, hoisin, or even buffalo sauce could all work well with the root beer.

Try Different Toppings: While the pulled pork is delicious on its own, you could also experiment with different toppings to add some extra flavor and texture. Add som coleslaw, pickles, avocado, or even pineapple to your root beer pulled pork sandwich.

Remember, the beauty of this recipe is its simplicity, so feel free to get creative and make it your own. As long as you stick to the basic formula of meat and root beer you can’t go wrong.

Root Beer Pulled Pork Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/3 pound pork shoulder
• 1/2 cup root beer
• 1/3 cup barbecue sauce

INSTRUCTIONS

Add the pork shoulder or pork butt to a 4 quart or larger slow cooker. Then pour the root beer over top of the roast. Drizzle the barbecue sauce on top of the meat.

Cover and cook on LOW for 10 hours, without opening the lid during the cooking time.

Once the cook time is up, remove the meat from the crock pot and shred using two forks. Or shred the meat right inside the crock pot if you prefer. Discard any fatty pieces.

Return the shredded meat back into the crock pot and mix it with the sauce.

Serve warm.

Enjoy! Mary

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