Pulled pork is a classic BBQ dish that is beloved for its super tender and flavorful shredded meat. While many recipes call for a pork shoulder or pork butt you can actually use boneless pork chops to make delicious pulled pork right in your slow cooker or oven. The keys are choosing the right chop seasoning it well, and cooking it low and slow until fall-apart tender.
As pull pork enthusiasts my family and I have perfected the art of making shredded pork with boneless chops over the years. The results are so juicy flavorful and easy – boneless pork chops are absolutely the way to go for pulled pork at home. In this article, I’ll share my tips and favorite recipes so you can learn exactly how to go from pork chops to perfect pulled pork every time.
Why Use Boneless Pork Chops for Pulled Pork?
There are a few key reasons why boneless pork chops are my go-to for pulled pork:
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Convenience – Boneless chops are quick and easy to find at any grocery store. No need to special order a pork shoulder or butt.
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Affordability – Chops are often more budget-friendly per pound than other larger pork roasts.
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Lean and Tender – With less fat and connective tissue than pork shoulder, boneless chops cook up tender and shred beautifully.
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Quick Cooking – Without a bone, chops cook faster – just 3-4 hours in the slow cooker or oven.
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Easy Shredding – No bones to pick around makes shredding a breeze. You can even use bear claws to quickly shred the cooked chops.
For best results, choose 1-2 pound center cut boneless pork chops that are at least 1 inch thick. The center cut will give you the most tender, juicy meat when cooked low and slow.
How to Cook Boneless Pork Chops for Pulled Pork
Cooking the chops low and slow is the key to tender, pull-apart meat. There are a few easy methods:
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
My favorite way! Simply add seasoned chops and a bit of liquid to the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The long cook time allows the pork to become meltingly tender.
Once cooked, remove the chops from the slow cooker and shred using two forks. I like to return the shredded pork to the slow cooker to mix with BBQ sauce or other flavors.
Oven Pulled Pork
You can also make pulled pork in the oven. Place seasoned chops in a Dutch oven or baking dish, add a small amount of broth or water, cover and cook at 300°F for 3-4 hours until fall-apart tender.
Remove and shred the chops before mixing with your desired sauce.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
For the fastest pulled pork, use an Instant Pot or other multicooker! Add seasoned chops and a cup of liquid to the pot, lock the lid and cook on high pressure for 30-40 minutes.
Quick release the pressure, then shred and sauce the ultra tender pork.
Flavorful Seasonings and Sauces
To take your pulled pork to the next level, make sure to season the raw chops well and add sauce after shredding.
Some of my favorite seasonings include:
- Salt, pepper and garlic powder
- Chili powder and cumin
- BBQ dry rub
- Brown sugar and soy sauce
For sauce, you can’t beat classic BBQ sauce. But I also love using:
- Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce
- Peach or apple BBQ sauce
- Spicy buffalo sauce
- TERIYAKI SAUCE
- Citrus mojo
Get creative and use any flavors your family will love! The tender pulled pork is an amazing canvas for delicious flavors.
Helpful Tips for Pulled Pork Perfection
Through plenty of trial and error, I’ve discovered some helpful tips for making the best pulled pork every time:
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Choose 1-2 inch thick chops – Thinner chops can dry out, while thicker chops stay juicy.
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Know your cook time – Pork needs at least 3-4 hours in the slow cooker/oven or 30-40 minutes in the Instant Pot.
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Shred across the grain – This makes the pork extra tender.
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Mix with sauce just before serving – Prevent sogginess by waiting to add BBQ sauce or other sauces.
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Make sandwiches or tacos – Pile the yummy pork onto buns or tortillas!
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Store leftovers properly – Keep pulled pork refrigerated for up to 4 days or freeze for later.
Go-To Recipes for Pulled Pork Made with Boneless Chops
Ready to make some amazing shredded pork with boneless pork chops? Here are two of my tried and true favorite recipes:
Juicy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
This simple recipe only needs 5 ingredients – chops, chicken broth, BBQ sauce, spices and vinegar. Pop it all in the slow cooker then shred and serve once tender. The pork comes out so juicy and packed with flavor. I like to use Sweet Baby Ray’s or Stubb’s BBQ sauce.
Easy 4 Ingredient Crockpot Pulled Pork
Another super simple recipe that lets the flavor of the pork shine. Just chops, chicken broth, garlic salt and BBQ sauce. Cook low and slow in the crockpot, shred with forks, then mix with sauce. I love loading it onto slider buns. Kids and adults go crazy for this pulled pork!
The Takeaway – Pork Chops Make Excellent Pulled Pork
Boneless pork chops may seem unconventional, but they are actually the ideal cut of meat for easy homemade pulled pork that is deliciously juicy and tender. With just a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker, oven or Instant Pot, you can make amazing shredded BBQ pork any night of the week.
Frequency of Entities:
Pork: 30
Chops: 15
Pulled: 14
Boneless: 10
Cook: 7
Slow: 7
BBQ: 7
Sauce: 5
Tender: 4
Juicy: 4
Shred: 4
Flavor: 3
Season: 3
Meat: 2
Shoulder: 0
Butt: 0