Set it and Forget It Cooking Pulled Pork Overnight in an Electric Roaster
Picture this: You wake up to the incredible aroma of slow-cooked, fall-apart tender pulled pork, with zero effort on your part. Sound too good to be true? It’s not with an electric roaster! The “set it and forget it” convenience of an electric roaster makes it easy to cook mouthwatering pulled pork while you sleep.
Overnight pulled pork in an electric roaster results in fork-tender meat infused with smoky, spicy flavors. The low, slow cooking gives the pork time to become succulent and shredded. Follow these tips for overnight pulled pork success.
Choosing the Right Cut
The foundation of stellar pulled pork is the pork itself. Opt for a boneless Boston butt or pork shoulder, about 5-7 pounds. This fatty cut stays moist during the long cooking time. Avoid lean loin cuts, which can dry out. Pork butts are often sold boneless for easy roasting. If yours has a bone, place it fat-side up in the roaster.
Prepping the PorkProper prep ensures even cooking and maximum flavor penetration
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Rinse and pat dry pork, Remove excess fat or skin
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Generously coat all sides with dry rub. Get into creases and underside.
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For ultimate flavor, let rubbed pork rest 30-60 minutes before cooking.
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If desired, sear all sides in a hot skillet before roasting for caramelized exterior.
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Use dried herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, chili powder, cayenne, salt and pepper. Customize your signature rub!
Pork Perfection in the Roaster
Cooking low and slow is the secret to pulled pork success. Follow these tips:
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Use a large, oval electric roaster, at least 18 qt capacity. Give pork room.
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Insert meat thermometer into thickest part, without touching bone.
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Add 1-2 cups broth or water to the bottom to keep pork moist.
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Cook 6-12 hours on LOW, until internal temperature reaches 195°F.
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For smoky flavor, add soaked wood chips to water in the roaster.
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Flip pork halfway through. Baste with pan juices if desired.
Set it and forget it! Let the roaster work its magic overnight.
Shredding Heaven
When morning comes, you’ll find fork-tender, mouthwatering perfection.
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Remove pork from roaster and let rest 10-20 minutes before shredding.
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Drain and reserve cooking liquid to keep shredded meat moist.
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Using two forks, shred pork into bite-size pieces.
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Add reserved liquid and barbecue sauce to taste.
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For pulled pork sandwiches, pile high on buns with coleslaw.
With minimal effort, you’ll wake up to incredible overnight pulled pork from your electric roaster!
Overnight Pulled Pork Perfection: Frequently Asked Questions
If cooking pulled pork while you sleep sounds too good to be true, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to your top electric roaster queries:
Is it safe to cook pork overnight?
Yes, it’s completely safe using an electric roaster’s low setting. The extended cook time at 200-300°F allows the pork to cook through without risk of undercooking. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 195°F.
How long does pulled pork take in an electric roaster?
Cook times range from 6-12 hours on LOW, depending on size. Plan for 1-1.5 hours per pound. Pork is done when fork tender and the internal temperature hits 195°F.
Should you add liquid to the roaster?
Yes! Add 1-2 cups broth, water, beer or juice to the bottom of the roaster. This provides moisture to keep the pork from drying out during the long cooking time. You can also create flavorful cooking liquid using apple cider, wine or Dr. Pepper.
What temperature should pulled pork roast at?
Cook at 200-300°F on the LOW setting. Higher temps can toughen the meat. Lower temps may not cook pork safely overnight. Stay in the 200-300°F range for tender, fall-apart meat after a slow overnight cook.
Should pulled pork be covered while cooking?
You can cook covered or uncovered in an electric roaster. Covering traps in steam to help keep pork moist. Uncovered allows for better browning and evaporation of excess fat. If covered, flip and baste pork halfway through.
Can you put frozen pork in a roaster?
Never put frozen pork directly into a hot roaster. Always thaw in the refrigerator first for food safety. Cooking from frozen can result in undercooked, dangerous pork.
The convenience of an electric roaster allows you to “set it and forget it” for mouthwatering pulled pork with no overnight effort. Follow proper procedures and pork perfection is just a snooze away!
Get Creative with Leftover Pulled Pork
You wake up to mountains of succulent, flavorful pulled pork. Now what? With some creativity, you can enjoy leftover pulled pork for days, avoiding food waste. Here are tasty ways to use up every last morsel:
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Classic Pork Sandwiches – Pile high on buns with pickles, slaw and barbecue sauce.
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Tacos – Warm pork and serve in soft tortillas with avocado, Cotija cheese and salsa.
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Burritos – Create big, meaty burritos with beans, rice, cheese and pulled pork.
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Nachos – Top corn chips with pulled pork, shredded cheese and other favorite nacho toppers for a hearty appetizer.
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Baked Potatoes – Turn pulled pork into loaded stuffed spuds with all the fixings.
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Omelets – Saute pork with veggies like onions, peppers and spinach then fold into fluffy egg omelets.
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Casserole – Mix pulled pork with macaroni and cheese or rice for a hearty casserole topped with crispy breadcrumbs.
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Soup – Use as protein in bean, vegetable or tomato soup. Adds hearty texture.
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Salads – Toss with spinach or greens, veggies, nuts, and light dressing for a main-meal salad.
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Hash – Cook with potatoes, onions, peppers and spices for a tasty pork hash.
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Pizza – Top baked pizza crust with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, onions and cheese.
With endless possibilities, you can stretch leftover pulled pork into all kinds of delicious meals. Get creative with recipes to avoid wasting a single morsel of your overnight roaster feast!