Last Updated on May 16, 2022 by Anne-Marie

Try this easy pulled pork recipe without BBQ sauce recipe. These slow cooker pulled pork tacos are a weeknight go-to meal because they’re quick and easy to make.

Why this recipe works

When I’m all out of ideas for dinner, I make slow cooker pulled pork just to make pulled pork tacos. They’re a terrific go-to meal since they’re easy to put together.

This easy recipe is such a family favorite that I make it for parties and potlucks.

You can also use pulled pork in Pozole Soup. Or try it in my Leftover Turkey Enchiladas or chicken enchilada casserole as a substitute for the turkey or chicken.

Ingredients

• pork shoulder
• diced tomatoes
• diced green chilies
• stevia or powdered monk fruit sweetener
• ground chipotle chile pepper
• garlic powder
• smoked paprika
• ground cumin
• sea salt

How to make this recipe

1. Cut the pork into 3 or more pieces so it will cook more quickly. Place pork in your slow cooker.
2. Place canned tomatoes, chilies, and seasonings in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Stir until combined.
3. Pour spicy tomato mixture over the pork, evenly covering it.
4. Place lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is tender enough to pull apart with a fork.
5. When cooked through, remove pork from the slow cooker and transfer pork to a large casserole dish. Pull apart – or shred – pork with two meat forks.
6. Strain the liquid from the slow cooker to capture smaller pieces of pork and diced tomato. Set reserved liquid aside.
7. Place shredded pork and tomatoes back into the crock. Taste the meat. If you feel it’s a bit dry, add some of the reserved cooking liquid and mix in. (Toss remaining liquid.) Cover the crock with the lid and leave it on the low setting. (Or turn it off.)
8. Serve meat in pulled pork tacos or another recipe.
9. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

FAQs

What cut of pork is best for this pulled pork recipe?

The best cut of meat for pulled pork is a pork shoulder (also called Boston butt, pork butt, picnic shoulder, or picnic roast). You can use boneless pork shoulder or bone-in roast.

(Avoid using pork tenderloin as they’re usually too small and not fatty enough.)

You’ll be cutting the shoulder roast into 3 or more pieces, so it cooks faster. This is easier to do with a boneless butt. With a bone-in roast, just cut around the bone.

Yes, you can leave the bone in while slow cooking. The tender pork falls off the bone, so discard it after cooking.

Also, pork shoulder is very fatty. If you want, you can trim any excess fat. This isn’t necessary, and it’s time-consuming.

Plus, the fat will cook down. You’ll strain this off, saving just enough juice to add back to the meat if it’s a bit dry.

Make this for taco night

The beauty of Family Taco Night is that it’s easy to put together, quick to clean up, and everyone can usually find something they like to eat.

With that in mind, my shredded pork tacos recipe isn’t too spicy – unless you like your pulled pork tacos that way!

While I use ground chipotle chile pepper and diced green chilies in my shredded pork tacos, you can turn up the heat by adding some cayenne pepper or jalapeno chilies if you wish.

I also use smoked paprika to get the smoky taste of pulled pork tacos done in a grill or smoker without the hassle of setting one up.

What could be easier to clean up than this crock-pot pulled pork recipe, especially if you use a slow cooker liner.

How do you serve your shredded pork tacos?

I like serving pulled pork tacos on warm, soft corn tortillas street taco style with the following toppings:

● chopped cilantro

● salsa – sweet, verde and/or fresca

● Mexican hot sauce

● shredded cheese

● crumbled queso fresco

● wedges of lime

● diced tomatoes

● slices of avocado

● chopped green onions, red onions, or yellow onions

● non-fat Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream)

Don’t forget your side dishes! I love serving these tacos with a side of Easy Mexican Rice.

I heat my corn tortillas on a griddle pan and then keep them warm in an insulated fabric tortilla warmer.

I love my tortilla warmer! So much better than keeping them warm (and drying them out) in the oven.

More ways to serve pulled pork

Here are different ways of serving this best pulled pork recipe:

● pulled pork taco bowls: serve the shredded pork on rice, add salsa, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, and onions

● shredded pork burritos

● breakfast hash: reheat the leftover pork meat in a skillet along with eggs and potatoes

● Breakfast Chilaquiles: use shredded pork instead of chorizo

● pulled pork sandwiches: use an enchilada or spicy mole sauce

● shredded pork nachos

Looking for a pressure cooker pulled pork recipe? Try this Awesome Instant Pot Pulled Pork made with BBQ sauce.