Cooking frozen pulled pork in a crock pot may seem daunting, but it’s actually a simple process that delivers delicious pulled pork every time. With the right timings and a few handy tips your frozen pork shoulder will transform into fall-apart tender, juicy pulled pork with incredible flavor.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about cooking frozen pulled pork in a crock pot, including:
- Thawing vs cooking frozen pork
- How long to cook frozen pulled pork on low
- How long to cook frozen pulled pork on high
- Tips for maximizing flavor
- Ensuring the pork turns out tender
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Frequently asked questions
So let’s get started! Below you’ll find all the details on timings and techniques for cooking up the perfect batch of frozen pulled pork in your crock pot.
Should You Thaw Frozen Pork Before Cooking in a Crock Pot?
Many people wonder if you need to thaw frozen pulled pork before putting it in the slow cooker. The good news is that you can absolutely cook frozen pork shoulder directly in the crock pot without thawing first.
However, thawing does have some advantages:
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Thawed pork cooks more quickly. Frozen pork will need 8+ hours on low or 4-6 hours on high. Thawed only needs 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
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Thawed pork absorbs flavors better. Spices, marinades and seasoning penetrate into the meat better when thawed.
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Thawed pork shreds easier. The meat fibers break down more thoroughly during the long cooking time.
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No risk of undercooking. Frozen sections of the pork may not get up to safe internal temp if not thawed.
So for best results, thawing overnight in the fridge is recommended. But don’t worry if you’re short on time – you can still cook delicious pulled pork from frozen.
How Long to Cook Frozen Pulled Pork on Low
For frozen pulled pork cooked on the low setting, expect it to take 8 to 10 hours to become perfectly tender and shreddable.
The extended time allows the pork to gently thaw and then break down as it slowly simmers away. Be sure to check it after 8 hours first, as smaller pork shoulders may only need 8 hours.
For very large pork shoulders (5+ lbs), you may need closer to 10 hours on low. Test for tenderness by piercing with a fork and shredding a small piece. When done, it will shred easily.
If using a fresh (not frozen) pork shoulder, the cook time on low reduces to 6-8 hours. So frozen meats do need that extra couple hours.
How Long to Cook Frozen Pulled Pork on High
On the high setting, frozen pork shoulder will be ready in 4 to 6 hours. High heat thaws and cooks the pork faster thanks to the higher temperature.
Check it after 4 hours, as smaller pork cuts may only need 4-5 hours on high. Use a fork to test tenderness and do a shred test.
For very large, bone-in pork shoulders, you may need the full 6 hours on high to fully tenderize the meat. The bone conducts less heat than the meat, so it takes longer to break down.
For fresh, thawed pork, reduce cook times on high to just 3-4 hours. So frozen meats do require roughly 2 extra hours.
Tips for Maximizing Flavor
To make your pulled pork extra flavorful, keep these tips in mind:
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Rub the pork shoulder with spices, brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, etc before cooking. The rub adds great flavor as the pork slowly cooks.
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Add flavorful liquid like chicken or vegetable broth. Apple cider or juice also provides great flavor. Use about 1 cup liquid per pound of pork.
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Shred and drain the pork, then add your favorite BBQ sauce. Adding sauce at the end prevents it from burning.
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Let pork rest 10-15 minutes before shredding. This allows juices to absorb back into the meat.
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Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid for a healthier pulled pork.
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Caramelize the pork under the broiler once shredded and sauced. This adds a delicious charred flavor.
Ensuring Pork Turns Out Tender
To guarantee tender, shreddable pulled pork:
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Cook at least 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high if frozen. More time may be needed for larger cuts.
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Use pork shoulder, also called Boston butt. It has the right ratio of fat to connective tissue.
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Pull pork apart with two forks vs. hand shredding. This preserves more tender chunks.
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Let pork rest 10-15 minutes before shredding. Resting allows juices to redistribute.
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Add liquid like broth to the crock pot. This helps break down connective tissue.
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Check pork after minimum cook time, then check every 30 mins until fork tender.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Cooking frozen pork in the crock pot is pretty foolproof, but there are a few mistakes to watch out for:
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Not cooking long enough – Be sure to check for tenderness, and cook at least 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
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Too much liquid – Use about 1 cup per 1 lb of pork to avoid overly diluted flavor.
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Saucing too early – BBQ sauce can burn if added too soon. Mix it in after shredding instead.
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Shredding when hot – Let pork rest 10-15 minutes before shredding for best texture.
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Over-shredding – Pull pork apart gently with two forks to preserve tender chunks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put frozen pulled pork straight into a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook pulled pork from frozen in a slow cooker without thawing first. Just be sure to add 2 extra hours to the cook time.
Does frozen pork need more liquid in the crockpot?
Not necessarily. Use the standard ration of 1 cup liquid per 1 lb of pork. The frozen pork will thaw and release liquid as it cooks.
Is it okay if my pork is still a little icy when I put it in the crock pot?
Totally fine. Frozen sections will thaw and cook through as the meat slowly simmers away. No need to fully defrost first.
Do I need to turn or flip frozen pork in the crock pot?
Nope, no turning or flipping required! The liquid and gentle heat will slowly circulate all around the pork as it cooks.
Can I damage my crock pot if I put frozen pork in?
Don’t worry, you can safely cook frozen pork in your slow cooker. The heating elements are designed to gently thaw and heat frozen cuts of meat.
So that covers all the basics on how to cook delicious pulled pork from frozen in your crock pot! Just be sure of the right cook times and follow the flavor tips. Soon you’ll have fall-apart tender pulled pork ready to pile high on sandwiches or burritos.