Today I'm sharing a very tasty pulled pork with root beer bbq sauce recipe that came from a blogger friends' new cookbook. Plus, I'm giving away one copy of the cookbook to a lucky reader!
Y'all! I have found the tastiest recipe for pulled pork sandwiches! It is so darn good that I made this on Monday and Leo and I have been eating it all week! He didn't mind eating the pulled pork sandwiches for several days because they are that good!
This recipe made enough that I even froze some!
This recipe came from my blogging friend Valerie's new cookbook shown below.
Valerie blogs at Valerie's Kitchen. If you are looking for some awesome new recipes to try, you should hop over there and subscribe to her blog!
Last year she published a cookbook which I recently ordered from Amazon. It is filled so many recipes that I want to try.
I was having a conversation with Julie from the blog Redhead Can Decorate and she suggested that each of us try a recipe from Valerie's cookbook and post about it. And Valerie generously agreed that we could each giveaway a copy of the cookbook.
The cookbook contains so many recipes that I'd like to try but I was intrigued when I saw a recipe for pulled pork that you could make in the slow cooker.
And it contained what I thought was a unique ingredient.
Yes! ROOT BEER! Not only is the pork cooked in root beer but you also add it in the sauce! And let me tell you, that root beer makes the pulled pork so delicious!!!
What you need
Ingredients
- 1 3-3 ½ pound whole pork loin boneless
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ cup root beer
For the Root Beer Barbeque Sauce
- 1 ½ cups root beer
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- ⅓ cup orange juice
- ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
- salt to taste
Buns
- 6-8 hamburger buns toasted
How to make
I must confess that I made a few minor modifications to the recipe because here in SC, we favor a vinegar based bbq sauce. You can find what I changed in the notes in the recipe card below.
Intructions
First, to make this recipe, you need a whole boneless pork loin. Normally, pulled pork is made from a more fatty cut such as a pork shoulder or butt roast.
The recipe calls for a 3-3 ½ pound pork loin but mine was slightly larger and came from Sams.
You simply cut the loin into smaller pieces, season the pork loin with salt, pepper, chili powder and put it in the slow cooker along with some root beer. Let it cook on low for 6-7 hours until it's tender and falling apart.
Meanwhile make the barbeque sauce (which takes about 10 minutes) and refrigerate it until you're ready to use it.
When the meat is done, take it out of the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Mix some of the bbq sauce into the shredded pork.
OH, MY!
Leo and I are declaring it the BEST pulled pork that we've ever eaten! That's quite a statement because we are located here in the heart of BBQ land and we've eaten our share of pulled pork sandwiches.
A great accompaniment is, of course, a cold mug of root beer!
Pulled Pork with Root Beer Barbeque Sauce
A delicious pulled pork recipe that uses a leaner cut of meat cooked in root beer.
- slow cooker
- 1 3-3 ½ pound whole pork loin (boneless)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ cup root beer
For the Root Beer Barbeque Sauce
- 1 ½ cups root beer
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- ⅓ cup orange juice
- ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
- salt (to taste)
Buns
- 6-8 hamburger buns (toasted)
Cut the pork loin into four pieces and place them in a 6 quart slow cooker. Sprinkle them with the chili powder, salt, and pepper, then pour the root beer into the slow cooker around the pork. Cover and cook for 6 to 8 hours on low, until the pork is very tender and easy to shred.
For the Sauce
Meanwhile, make the sauce by combining the root beer, ketchup, orange juice, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, garlic, liquid smoke, onion powder and pepper in a large, heavy saucepan and whisking until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes to blend the flavors and reduce the sauce slightly. Season to taste with salt, if you feel it needs it, and additional black pepper. Remove the pan from the heat. Allow the sauce to cool slightly then transfer it to a bowl or other container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate it until you're ready to use it. The sauce can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container int he refrigerator for up to 1 week.
When the cooking time is up, remove the pork to a large cutting board and discard all but about ½ cup of the cooking liquid. Use two forks to shred the pork then return it to the slow cooker with the reserved cooking liquid. Add as much of the Root Beer Barbeque Sauce as desired and toss with the shredded pork to combine. I usually add about ½ cup to 1 cup of the sauce and reserve the rest to serve on the side so people can make their sandwiches as saucy as they'd like.
Cover and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes, until warmed through. Serve on toasted hamburger buns with additional Root Beer Barbecue Sauce on the side.
Additional notes by Jane: I added about 2 tablespoons garlic powder to the pork loin as I was seasoning it.
I omitted the liquid smoke and onion powder (simply because I didn't have either) from the bbq sauce.
I added ½ cup apple cider vinegar and 4 tablespoons sweet chili sauce to the bbq sauce.
*Some links from this post are affiliate links. That means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase something after clicking the link. See more of our disclosure policy HERE.
The Foolproof Family Slow Cooker and other One-Pot Solutions cookbook is worth it just for this recipe alone.
Susan
I have made this recipe before with Dr. Pepper or Coke. I can’t remember which one. But, it was delicious! This is how I make BBQ all the time. Love your blog Jane!!
Judith Dennis
Can't wait for my husband and I to try some of your recipe's especially the root beer pulled pork. Being I can't taste or smell anymore hope this will do something for me I love root beer.
Ann Bell
I am a subscriber and love following you. I also went to her FB page and liked it also. I can't wait to try this recipe this weekend, I love cook books and love trying new recipes. I am working on a recipe book for my grands..
Kaycee
I am a subscriber of yours and of Julie's. This is really a great recipe and an awesome giveaway too.
Debbie H
I would love to know if there are Instant Pot directions as well? Can you take a peek for me in the cookbook?
Jane Windham
There are no Instant Pot recipes in this cookbook. Most of them are for a slow cooker or a dutch oven. A few of them use a cast iron skillet. I do have an Instant Pot and use it frequently. Look for Instant Pot recipes from me soon!
Mary
I am a subscriber! Thank you!!
Pamela
Love Redhead can decorate and sure to enjoy your blog. I live to use slow cooker and cookbooks would love to win.
Jeannie
We've been making pulled pork with root beer for several years. My son found the recipe. We LOVE it.
Lorena Keech
I'm a subscriber and I am going to try this recipe as soon as I make a trip to the grocery.
Martha Thompson
I am a new subscriber and have enjoyed your blog for a long time. Love all your diy’s and all the recipes.Thanks for the giveaway.
Theresa Berge
Looks yummy! Thanks, I am a new subscriber!
Bliss
Alrighty, I pinned it because if you say it's delish I believe it, and I think I will make it next week. I also subscribed (didn't need to though cuz I read all the time anyway), and I'd love to use my 'ol crock pot more.
Carol S.
I subscribed and would love to win the cookbook. The two recipes that you both shared look delicious!
Lee Gordon
I subscribe and would love to win!
Talitha Wright
I'm already a subscriber to both blogs and love them both. I'm in NC. Our Eastern NC bbq sauce is also vinegar based, but we like a sweeter sauce, too. Thanks for a chance to win the cook book.
Julie
I am making this tonight w a pork loin!! So excited about this giveaway, Jane!!
Gail
I am buying some root beer today! Already a subscriber who loves some bbq!
Linda
I subscribed to Cottage at the Crossroads and am also subscribed to Redhead Can Decorate. Pulled pork looks yummy!
JIll B
Can’t wait to try this recipe...I’m hungry just thinking about it. I am already a subscriber
Peggy Shealy
I am a subscriber. Always look forward to your creative sharing. For you to share a BBQ recipe it has to be great. We truly are particular about our BBQ.
Thanks, Jane
Barbara Cox
I have been a subscriber to your delightful blog for a while now. We adore a good pulled pork recipe and this one sounds fantastic! Thank you for this opportunity to win this yummy sounding cookbook!
Jane Windham
This is a good recipe because it does not use the fatty pork! When you are shredding the pork, there is no fat to pick out! And I do highly recommend the sweet chili sauce.
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage
Wow that is so great about using root beer for the sauce. I have been a long time subscriber to you and your great blog Jane. Now I am hungry for some pulled pork lol! Might have to make this tomorrow.
Happy Weekend
Hugs,
Kris
Jane Windham
I appreciate your loyalty and friendship, Kris!
Sally Smith
The recipe looks amazing...i will be making it this week!! I have some special recipe books that are Family Cookbooks from friends. Thanks much!!
Jane Windham
I love family and community cookbooks. They have the best tried and true recipes!
Barb Swiss
I enjoy your blog and will make this recipe the next time my children come to visit!
Jane Windham
Thanks for following along, Barb. This recipe would be great for hungry kids!
Barbara Warner
Jane,
I love the name of your blog, and I am happy to have joined. I look forward to sharing, and probably making, many of your DIYs. I love cooking, and I am one who generally cooks and bakes from scratch. While there are many chefs on TV shows, in books, and on blogs, many of my friends use packaged mixes and frozen meals for dinner. They are quite impressed when they come to our house and get "good, home-cooked meals." I know I will enjoy reading and using Valerie's cookbook!
Jane Windham
Thanks for subscribing Barbara!
Jane Windham
The cookbook is filled with recipes that I'd like to try. Good luck!
Anne Pikula
I’m a long time subscriber and enjoy your blog. I agree this recipe is a must try!
Jane Windham
Thanks for following along all these years, Anne!
ColleenB.-Tx.
That pulled pork & Root Beer Sauce looks delicious.
I just signed up to receive your newsletter.
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway opportunity
Carol Ezovski
I have no idea when this expires, but I'd like to win so will give it a shot -- I subscribed.
digicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net
Jane Windham
Oh gosh, Carol! I forgot to add that information. It's in the post now. Thanks so much for subscribing!