Nashville Hot Pulled Pork Recipe – tender, juicy pulled pork tossed in a spicy, buttery hot sauce! Packed with bold flavor and a little heat, this easy recipe is perfect for sandwiches, sliders, or serving over mac and cheese. Great for game day, BBQs, and weeknight dinners!
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Crock Pot Pulled Pork
Nashville hot pulled pork is smoky, spicy, and downright irresistible. The pork is melt-in-your-mouth tender, soaked in a fiery, flavorful sauce that brings just the right amount of heat without overwhelming your taste buds. It’s got that slow-cooked richness with a kick of cayenne and paprika that lingers in the best way. Whether you pile it high on a bun, stuff it in a baked potato, or serve it straight up with a fork, every bite packs a punch of bold Southern flavor. It’s spicy comfort food that hits all the right notes.
How to Make Nashville Hot Pulled Pork
This pork is effortless to make with only a few simple ingredients. Place a boneless pork shoulder in the slow cooker. Whisk together cayenne pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, melted butter, and chicken broth in a small bowl. Pour the spice mixture over the pork. Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW until the pork is tender. Shred the pork with two forks. Place the pork back in the crock pot and toss with the juices—season with salt and black pepper.
Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- I use a boneless pork shoulder for this recipe. You may also see this cut of meat referred to as a pork butt or Boston butt.
- Can I use a bone-in pork shoulder? Yes! If using a bone-in shoulder, you will just need to cook the pork on the higher end of the cooking time.
- Can I cook pulled pork on HIGH in the crockpot? Yes! You can cook the pork shoulder on HIGH for about 4 to 6 hours.
- To make the pork in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker, cook the pork on HIGH pressure for 1 hour. Turn off and let steam naturally release for 20 minutes. Quick release any remaining pressure. Remove pork from Instant Pot and shred.
- Is Nashville Hot Pulled Pork spicy? YES. If you have never eaten Nashville hot dishes, please note that it is SPICY. It is supposed to be spicy and uses a lot of cayenne pepper.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your taste.
- Add a splash of liquid smoke to add a nice smoky flavor to the porkl.
- Can pulled pork be reheated? Yes! You can make the pork ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Reheat the pork on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Can pulled pork be frozen? Yes! Make the pork as directed and shred. Let the pork cool completely and place in a freezer bag and freeze. When ready to serve, thaw and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
What to Serve with Nashville Hot Pulled Pork
This pork is great for game day spreads, backyard BBQs, or anytime you’re craving a little Southern kick. Nashville hot pulled pork brings the bold, spicy flavor, so you’ll want some cool, creamy, and comforting sides to balance the heat.
- We like to make pork sandwiches with the meat. Pile it high on a hamburger bun and top with ranch dressing and pickles – just like Hattie B’s.
- Classic mac and cheese is a no-brainer—something cheesy and mellow to keep things grounded.
- A pile of coleslaw adds a nice crunch and cool-down factor, while baked beans or Southern-style green beans bring a little sweetness and smokiness to the plate.
- Cornbread or buttery dinner rolls are perfect for sopping up the sauce, and if you’re feeling fancy, a scoop of potato salad or pickles on the side adds a tangy twist that plays so well with the heat.
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Slow Cooker Nashville Hot Pulled Pork
Yield: 10 people
Nashville Hot Pulled Pork Recipe – tender, juicy pulled pork tossed in a spicy, buttery hot sauce! Packed with bold flavor and a little heat, this easy recipe is perfect for sandwiches, sliders, or serving over mac and cheese. Great for game day, BBQs, and weeknight dinners!
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Place pork butt in 6-qt slow cooker.
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Whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour over chicken.
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Cover and cook on LOW 4 to 6 hours.
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Remove cooked pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return to slow cooker, and stir.
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Serve on buns with pickles and ranch.
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
- If you have never eaten Nashville hot chicken, please note that Nashville Hot is HOT.
- It is supposed to be spicy and uses a lot of cayenne pepper.
- This recipe uses a lot of cayenne pepper, but I used much less than the original recipe from Hattie B’s.
- Start with 1 or 2 Tbsp of cayenne pepper and add more after tasting the chicken.
- This is HOT!
Steph
Remember this recipe.
Pin this recipe to your favorite board now to remember it later!
