Cherry Cola Pulled Pork

This Cherry Cola Pulled Pork is an easy slow cooker recipe made with pork shoulder, Cherry Coke, smoky seasonings, and BBQ sauce for the ultimate sweet-and-savory dinner. After cooking low and slow for 8 hours, the pork turns fall-apart tender with a rich cherry-caramel flavor that’s perfect for sandwiches, tacos, rice bowls, and gameday sliders.

I love making this recipe for busy weekends and casual cookouts because the slow cooker does almost all the work. The cherry cola keeps the pork juicy as it cooks, and stirring in the BBQ sauce after shredding adds tons of flavor without making it overly sticky or heavy.

Ways to Serve Pulled Pork

You don’t have to change a thing about the way this cherry cola pulled pork cooks in the slow cooker. The fun part is deciding how to serve it!

Serve pulled pork as:

• Sandwiches piled high on burger buns with extra BBQ sauce and pickles
• Sliders on mini buns for parties and game day snacks
• Tacos topped with slaw or pickled onions
• Rice bowls spooned over white rice with your favorite toppings
• Loaded potato skins for an easy appetizer

Ingredients

Meat: Start with a 4 to 5-pound pork shoulder, pork butt, or Boston butt. These cuts are perfect for slow cooking because they have enough marbling to turn juicy, tender, and easy to shred.

Cherry Cola: Cherry Coke adds sweetness and helps keep the pork moist as it cooks. It also adds a fun cherry-caramel flavor that makes this pulled pork so good.

Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, liquid smoke, salt, and pepper give the pork a smoky BBQ flavor without having to fire up the smoker.

BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce here! It gets stirred in after the pork is shredded so the meat stays saucy, flavorful, and ready for piling onto buns.

What’s the Best Cut of Meat for Pulled Pork?

Pork shoulder, pork butt, and Boston butt are all great choices for pulled pork because they have enough fat and marbling to become juicy and tender during a long, slow cook.

Boneless pork is easiest to handle and shred, while bone-in cuts can add extra flavor and may need slightly more cooking time.

If your pork has a thick fat cap, place that side facing up in the slow cooker. As the fat renders, it helps keep the meat moist and flavorful.

How to Make Cherry Cola Pulled Pork

SEASON THE PORK: Rub the pork shoulder all over with garlic powder, onion powder, liquid smoke, salt, and pepper so every side is coated with flavor.

ADD THE CHERRY COLA: Grease the slow cooker and pour in the Cherry Coke. Place the pork into the slow cooker, fat side up, if your cut has a visible fat cap. As it cooks, the fat helps baste the meat and keep it juicy.

SLOW COOKER UNTIL TENDER: Cover and cook on LOW for about 8 hours or until the pork pulls apart easily with two forks. The meat should look deeply browned around the edges and feel tender all the way through.

SHRED AND SAUCE: Shred the pork directly in the slow cooker or transfer it to a platter first. Stir some of the cooking juices back into the meat before adding the BBQ sauce to help keep every bite moist and flavorful. If there’s more liquid than you want, spoon a little out first.

Tips for Success

These simple tips will help you get juicy, tender pulled pork every time and make the most of all that sweet, smoky cherry cola flavor!

• Place the pork fat side up if your cut has a visible fat cap.
• Cook on LOW for the best tender texture.
• Stir some of the cooking juices back into the pork before adding the BBQ sauce.
• For even more cherry flavor, warm 1 cup of BBQ sauce with 2 tablespoons of cherry preserves before stirring it into the pork.

FAQ

Do I need to drain the liquid before adding BBQ sauce?

Not usually. Stir some of the cooking juices into the shredded pork for moisture. If there’s too much liquid, spoon some out first.

Can I use a different soda?

Yes! Cherry Coke gives this pulled pork its sweet, cherry-caramel flavor, but other sodas work too. Try another cherry cola, regular Coca-Cola, or Dr. Pepper. The flavor will change slightly, but the pork will still cook up tender and flavorful.

Can I add Jack Daniel’s?

Absolutely! A small splash of Jack Daniel’s adds a deeper smoky caramel flavor that works really well with the cherry cola and BBQ sauce. Add about 1/4 cup to the slow cooker or stir a little into the sauce after shredding the pork so the whiskey flavor doesn’t overpower the dish.

How much pulled pork do you need per person?

Plan for about 1/2 pound of uncooked pork per adult and 1/4 pound per child if you’re serving sandwiches. If you have lots of hearty sides, you can make a little less. A good shortcut is to divide the number of guests by 2, so 8 people need about 4 pounds of uncooked pork, and 20 people need about 10 pounds.

*This post originally posted on 06/04/2017.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, warm the pork in the microwave, on the stovetop, or back in the slow cooker with a splash of reserved cooking juices or extra BBQ sauce to keep it moist.

Can You Freeze Pulled Pork?

Yes! Let the pulled pork cool completely before transferring it to freezer bags or airtight containers. Freeze for up to 3 months, then thaw and cook with a little cooking liquid or BBQ sauce to help keep the meat moist when reheated.

What to Serve with Cherry Cola Pulled Pork

Round out your pulled pork dinner with easy BBQ side dishes that are perfect for cookouts, game day, and busy family dinners!

• Homemade Baked Beans are packed with brown sugar, molasses, and bacon for the ultimate backyard BBQ side.
• Loaded Sweet Potatoes are hearty, cheesy, and a delicious swap for regular fries with pulled pork sandwiches.

More Pulled Pork Recipes to Try

If your family loves easy pulled pork dinners as much as mine does, here are a few more reader favorites to make next!

• Pulled Pork Sliders
• Crock Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
• Pulled Pork Potato Chip Nachos
• Caramelized Onion and BBQ Pork Flatbread