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SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK (OVEN ROASTED OPTION)

Here’s the ultimate crockpot pulled pork recipe! With minimal effort, your slow cooker will transform pork into incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. This recipe is super easy, produces amazing results, and makes it simple to serve up a crowd-pleasing meal in no time. I’ve also included instructions for making oven-roasted pulled pork and a fantastic smoked pulled pork recipe. And of course, don’t forget the BBQ sauce!

THE BEST PORK FOR PULLED PORK

For the best pulled pork, go for a front shoulder cut of pork. Picture the shoulder area near a pig’s forelegs. The upper part of the shoulder is called Pork Butt or Boston Butt, while the lower section is known as Pork Shoulder or Picnic Roast. When shopping, look for any of these labels for the ideal cut. Pork Butt is often preferred due to its slightly higher fat marbling, which means more flavor. However, Picnic Pork Shoulder is also a great choice.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

  • Large Skillet: I recommend using a cast iron skillet!
  • Slow Cooker: I use and recommend this slow cooker!

INGREDIENTS

  • Pork: 5-7 pounds of pork butt or pork shoulder, fat cap left on
  • Olive Oil: 3 tablespoons for rubbing on the meat
  • Liquid Smoke: 1 teaspoon, optional, for rubbing on the meat
  • Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons for searing (more as needed)

For the Rub/Marinade

  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (or 2.5 teaspoons if using table salt)
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

To Serve

  • Barbecue sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • Brioche hamburger buns (if making sandwiches)
  • Softened butter
  • Coleslaw (I love this herby recipe!)

INSTRUCTIONS

Slow Cooker Instructions

  • Choose Your Pork: A pork shoulder is great, but a pork butt (also known as Boston Butt) is even better. Both cuts contain plenty of fat and connective tissue, essential for tender, juicy pulled pork. If available, choose a bone-in cut for extra flavor, though boneless works as well. Look for a well-marbled piece with white fat.
  • Marinate with Spice Rub: In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 1 tablespoon paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder, and 1/3 cup packed brown sugar. Reserve 3 tablespoons of this mixture in a ziplock bag or covered bowl for later use.
  • Prepare the Pork: For faster cooking, cut the pork in half to increase the surface area for browning and reduce the cooking time to about 6-7 hours in the slow cooker (cooking the whole piece will take about 8-10 hours). Pat the pork dry with paper towels, then rub 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the meat, ensuring it’s well coated. If using, drizzle 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke and massage it in.
  • Rub the Spice Mixture: Rub the spice mixture (excluding the reserved 3 tablespoons) all over the pork, getting into every nook and cranny. Place the pork in a large ziplock bag and seal. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, or up to 48 hours.
  • Sear the Pork: Remove the pork from the bag and pat it dry if wet. Rub the remaining spice mixture into the meat. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat for at least 3 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and swirl to coat the pan. Once the oil shimmers, add the pork and sear for about 2 minutes until well browned. Use tongs to flip the pork and sear all sides. Add more oil as necessary.
  • Slow Cook the Pork: Transfer the seared pork to your dry slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours if cut in half or 8-10 hours if left whole. Avoid overcooking; aim for an internal temperature of 195-200°F. Start checking with a meat thermometer at the lowest recommended time, as overcooking can dry it out.
  • Shred the Pork: Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker and let it rest on a cutting board for about 5 minutes, tented with foil. Shred the pork using two forks; it should fall apart easily. Discard any gristle, but retain some fat to mix in with the meat for flavor.
  • Combine and Serve: Add the shredded pork back into the slow cooker (or your serving dish) and toss it with the cooking juices. Mix in 1-2 cups of BBQ sauce or serve it on the side. Enjoy it warm on sandwiches, atop salads, or however you prefer!

Oven Pulled Pork Instructions

  • Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F and let it heat for at least 20 minutes.
  • Prepare the Pork: Cut the pork butt or shoulder into 3 equal pieces to speed up cooking and enhance browning. Follow the same preparation steps as above: pat dry, rub with 3 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional), and then rub with the reserved spice mixture. Marinate for 6 to 48 hours in the refrigerator.
  • Rest and Prepare for Cooking: Allow the pork to sit at room temperature for about an hour before cooking for more even results.
  • Set Up for Roasting: Place an oven-safe wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet and spray it with nonstick spray. Add 1.5 cups of water to the bottom of the pan to create a humid environment.
  • Roast the Pork: Remove the pork from the marinade and rub each piece with the remaining spice rub. Arrange the pork on the rack, ensuring they don’t touch. Roast at 425°F for 30 minutes to sear the edges, then reduce the temperature to 300°F. Open the oven door briefly to cool it down. Roast for an additional 3-5 hours, adding water as necessary to the pan.
  • Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness; the pork should reach 195-200°F. Do not exceed 200°F, as the temperature will continue to rise after removing it from the oven.
  • Shred and Serve: Let the pork rest for 15-20 minutes, tented with foil. Shred it using two forks, retaining some fat for flavor.
  • Make the Sandwich: For an incredible pulled pork sandwich, butter both sides of a brioche bun. In a pan over medium heat, toast the buns for 2-4 minutes until golden. Fill with shredded pork, add more BBQ sauce if desired, and top with a generous amount of herby coleslaw. Press down with the top bun and enjoy!

How to Shred Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

  • Rest the Meat: Once the cooking time is up, carefully transfer the pork to a cutting board and let it rest for about 10-20 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist and flavorful.
  • Shred the Pork: After resting, it’s time to shred the pork. Using two large forks, begin pulling the meat apart. If you’ve cooked it properly, it should fall apart effortlessly with just a gentle tug. Enjoy the satisfying process of shredding!

STORAGE

  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
  • Pulled pork freezes well; seal in a ziplock bag (with or without BBQ sauce) and freeze for 4-6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the microwave or in a covered tin foil pan sprinkled with water, baking at 300°F for 20-40 minutes, depending on the amount.

Fool-Proof Makeup with 16 Best Eyeshadow Sticks in 2023

Isn’t doing eye makeups fun? You get to choose the colors, style, design for your eye areas with no restriction. The only thing that stops you from the perfect eyes look is obviously your skill. Even with makeup experts, eyeshadow in pressed powder form is still hard to use, that’s why eyeshadow sticks are created. With our list of the 16 best eyeshadow sticks, we can assist you if you’re a newbie or just lack the time to consider color options for makeup.

Best Versatile Eyeshadow Stick – Chanel Stylo Ombre Et Contour

Contour Clair, a gorgeous matte-brown eye makeup stick from Chanel, is marketed as “a fabulous, go-to shade for day-to-day looks.” It’s the type of neutral, casually stylish shadow we see on a model on vacation. Even though the formula is long-lasting, use an eyeshadow primer in conjunction with it for further assurance that your color won’t fade.

Best Neutral Eyeshadow Stick – Bobbi Brown Dual-Ended Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick

With carefully selected color duos for double the enjoyment, Bobbi Brown’s Best of Beauty-winning Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick is now offered in a dual-ended style. Be prepared to use it every day if you want effortless looks that just require a few seconds to apply and mix. For no-makeup makeup looks, use Golden Pink/Taupe to give your eyes a hint of depth. Remember to work fast with it as this item dries pretty fast, making it hard to get your desired looks.

Most Drugstore Eyeshadow Stick – Nyx Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil

You’re in luck if you’re looking for a significant bargain. You may choose from 16 exquisite colors in the Nyx Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil line for a very reasonable price. It couldn’t be simpler to use these ultra-creamy crayons as a basis for priming (neutrals), an all-over shadow (brights), or a liner (deeps). With Milk, an opaque white that is surprising but timeless, you may channel your inner “Rain on Me” diva look, and you can use it as a highlighter. However, the packaging is a pretty huge con of this product. You will have to purchase a pencil sharpener in order to utilize the item.

Best Smudge-Proof Eyeshadow – Revlon ColorStay Creme Eyeshadow

These Revlon eye shadows provide 24-hour wear so you can transition from one occasion to the next with your look intact, whether you want something matte or a little bit of sparkle. You may apply them using the included “pro-inspired” built-in brush in the cap or with your fingertips if you prefer. Flaking off is quite inevitable after applying it because when it dires, it gets flaky.

Best Glitter Eyeshadow Stick – Jason Wu Beauty Celestial Lust Glitter Cream Shadow

This glitter cream shadow, which the brand promises to give a highly-pigmented color that is rapid drying and lasts all day, will elevate your appearance. The application of this cream eye makeup is quite simple, making it the ideal finishing touch for your night-out look. Work fast if you don’t want you eye look to be clumpy and unblended.

Best 2 in 1 Eyeshadow Stick – Smashbox Always On Cream Shadow

Play around with your appearance by using hues like guava, sienna, and ultramarine. With this choice, there is no need for a separate eye makeup primer because it is already included in the recipe, eliminating a step and simplifying your beauty routine while also saving you some money. Those who have used it complained that the colors don’t really show up but these items can work very well as eye primer.

Best Budget Eyeshadow Stick – e.l.f. Cosmetics No Budge Shadow Stick

This affordable eye makeup stick is well worth a try because it has a highly pigmented color, a buildable consistency, and all-day wear. You won’t ever have to worry about working with a dull tip thanks to its twist-up construction, and its pointed form makes it simple to use as eyeliner. However, applying multiple time is essential to get the swatched colors that you see on their pictures but compared to the price, it’s still a good stick eyeshadow.

Best Quick-Application Eyeshadow Stick – Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes

This Clinique Chubby Stick is a safe place to start if you’re a newbie. You won’t have to worry about using anything overly pigmented for your first attempt at eye makeup because it emits a sheer, lightweight hue. Simply dab some color on your lids, mix it out with your finger till you have the look you want, and then go! You don’t even need to be very delicate with it.

Best Color Eyeshadow Stick – about-face Shadowstick

This eye makeup stick from about-face has a lasting power of 10 hours or more and may give you all the color you require in a single application. blend easily if you smudge them out right away but if you’re going for more of a precise look they will definitely stay where you put them.

Best Metalic Eyeshadow Stick – ColourPop Colour Stix Eyeshadow

This eye makeup stick has whatever color you need, whether you’re planning on going to the office or the runway, with dazzling metallics and traditional mattes. The product boasts an all-day wearable, water-resistant composition, according to the company.

Best Shimmer Eyeshadow Stick – Charlotte Tilbury Color Chameleon Eyeshadow Pencil

Although Charlotte Tilbury is most known for her Flawless Filter and Contour Wand, she also creates an eyeshadow stick that is deserving of internet fame. Some of the most beautiful colors I’ve ever seen may be found in Her Colour Chameleon eyeshadow pencils. Each hue was created with a particular eye color in mind; for instance, Amethyst Aphrodisiac makes green eyes stand out from a distance. These pencils have a creamy texture and are also easily blended, just be sure to move fast because they dry down to a durable finish. 

Best Matte Eyeshadow Stick – Nudestix Magnetic Eye Color 

Without the original, also known as Nudestix’s Magnetic Eye Color, no list of the finest eyeshadow sticks would be complete. We couldn’t be happier that the company that essentially invented portable stick cosmetics has expanded its portfolio to include eyeshadow. If neutral colors suit you more, you may choose from more than 30 hues in both matte and satin finishes. Additionally, they are very long-lasting, staying in for up to 24 hours, making them perfect for oily lids.  Those with sensitive eyes should be careful with this because there are complaints about eyes’ irritation after using it.

Best Pigmented Eyeshadow Stick – Iconic London Glaze Dual-Ended Eyeshadow Crayon

This dual-purpose makeup stick must be tried by everyone who likes shimmer. A creamy, pearlescent hue on one side glides on effortlessly and provides high-impact color. The liquid glitter glaze on the opposite side matches the crayon color. Both may be worn separately; choose the crayon side for a strong metallic hue or the glaze side for a delicate glitter wash. However, when used in tandem, these two solutions work to provide a glamorous, long-lasting “wet” look.

Best Water-Proof Eyeshadow Stick – Sephora Collection Waterproof Eyeshadow & Eyeliner Multi-Stick

Because of their great hue selection, Sephora’s in-house cosmetics line should not be overlooked. This Sephora stick is available in most hues you could imagine, from terracotta red to khaki green. Although they may be used as eyeliner, their enormous size makes them particularly useful for eyeshadow. You just need one sweep for vibrant color, but you may overlay your own tones to enhance depth. Just mix quickly since these pencils can dry out rapidly. You might find it too expensive compared to the amount of product in this stick. There is even a customer said that the product was just enough for a week.

Best Formulated Eyeshadow Stick – Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick Eye Color Eyeshadow Stick

These creamy eyeshadow sticks, which come in 39 colors and five distinct formula categories, are really simple to use. The eyeshadow sticks may be built up and blended easily at first, but after they are set, even without an eyeshadow primer, you don’t have to worry about them moving. These sticks are simple to use to create a defined liner or a smokey eyeshadow appearance. However, the packaging is not the best for the product because they get broker pretty easily.

Best Gentle Eyeshadow Stick – Superhero No-Tug Longwear Eyeshadow Stick

IT Cosmetics, which was founded by plastic surgeons, has always excelled in creating cosmetics that give our skin a little more tender loving care and gradually enhance each region with usage. You won’t find a smoother, easier-to-glide eyeshadow stick than the Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick. The It Cosmetics Super Blendable Stick has No-Tug Technology, which guarantees that the stick won’t pull too hard and won’t irritate your eyes while still offering even pigmentation throughout your eyelid.

Sticks for applying eyeshadow are helpful for everyone, but novices especially. It’s a straightforward tool that enables you to apply eye makeup quickly and easily while producing the most breathtaking results. An eyeshadow stick is always a must-have, even if you are a makeup pro.