Pork is roasted in BBQ sauce, Dr Pepper, vinegar, and spices to create the most incredible flavor and tender, juicy texture in this Dr Pepper Pulled Pork recipe. Enjoy on hamburger buns for an easy lunch that’s perfect for parties and gatherings.
Easy Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe
This Dr. Pepper pulled pork recipe is perfect for gatherings, parties, or family meals. It requires minimal hands-on time, so you can essentially just dump everything in the pan, pop it in the oven, and come back later.
The can of Dr Pepper not only adds flavor but also helps tenderize the pork, resulting in ultra juicy, tender shredded pork.
Enjoy on hamburger buns with some extra BBQ sauce (or make our delicious Dr Pepper BBQ Recipe for extra flavor) and your favorite side dishes. It’s a guaranteed hit!
Why You’ll Love This Pulled Pork in Dr Pepper
Here are a few reasons this is my favorite pulled pork recipe.
- Incredible flavor. The pork is cooked in BBQ sauce, Dr. Pepper, apple cider vinegar, and a few spices, all of which infuse the pork with the absolute best flavor. Plus it comes out juicy and tender!
- Versatile. I like to serve this pork on hamburger buns as a pulled pork sandwich but you can also serve it in tacos, sandwiches, salads, nachos and more.
- Easy prep. 95% of this recipe is hands-off. All you need to do is whisk together the sauce ingredients, add everything to a Dutch oven, and shred when it’s ready.
What You’ll Need
You’ll need just a few ingredients and a handful of spices to make this Dr Pepper pulled pork recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for measurements.
- Pork Roast – A boneless pork butt roast is what I used but a pork shoulder roast with a good amount of marbled fat will also work.
- Dr Pepper – A can of Dr Pepper is the star ingredient of this pulled pork recipe.
- Barbecue sauce – Grab your favorite bottle at the store or try my homemade BBQ sauce recipe.
- Apple cider vinegar – Adds a tangy flavor to the sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds savory umami undertones to the pork.
- Spices – Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper season the pork.
- Hamburger buns – For serving.
How to Make Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
Here’s an overview of how to make pulled pork in Dr Pepper. See the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Make the BBQ sauce. Combine the BBQ sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and seasonings.
- Assemble. Place the roast in a roasting pan or Dutch oven. Pour the Dr Pepper over the top then evenly coat with the BBQ sauce. Cover the pan with foil or a lid.
- Bake. Bake for 3-4 hours, until the pork is tender and shreds easily.
- Shred. Transfer the pork to a mixing bowl. Remove as much fat as you an from the cooking liquid. Return to the pan and stir in the cooking liquid. Bake for 15-30 additional minutes.
- Enjoy. Serve on hamburger buns with additional BBQ sauce if desired.
Can I Make This in the Crockpot?
Yes! Crockpot Dr Pepper pulled pork is super easy to make. Prepare the BBQ sauce and assemble everything in the slow cooker as in the regular instructions, then cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. Shred and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when making your Dr. Pepper pulled pork.
- The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the roast. It is important to check for tenderness by using a fork to see if the meat easily pulls apart.
- Adjust the flavor. For a spicier kick, you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add your preferred hot sauce. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, you can add more brown sugar or adjust the amount of barbecue sauce.
- Remove as much fat as you can from the cooking liquid. You don’t want the fat mixed back in with the pork. A gravy separator is helpful here!
What Goes with Dr Pepper Pulled Pork?
Dr Pepper pulled pork is versatile and can be used in various dishes such as pork tacos, sandwiches, pork nachos, wraps, top of a salad, or as a topping for nachos. Serve with additional barbecue sauce and your favorite side dishes.
A few of my favorite sides for this pulled pork recipe include cilantro lime coleslaw, skillet cheesy corn, root beer baked beans, and loaded potato salad.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Be sure to store with any remaining cooking liquid.
- Freeze. Once cooled, leftovers can be transferred to a freezer-safe container and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge.
- Reheat. Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
More Easy Pork Recipes
Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 1 Boneless Butt Roast 4.5 Pound
- 1 Can Dr. Pepper 12 Ounces
- 1 Cup Barbecue Sauce Homemade or Store Bought
- 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Paprika
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- Hamburger Buns For Serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- In a bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Place the boneless butt roast in a large oven-safe roasting pan or dutch oven.
- Pour the can of Dr. Pepper over the roast.
- Pour the barbecue sauce mixture over the roast, making sure it is evenly coated.
- Cover the roasting pan or dutch oven with a lid or foil.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and cook for approximately 3-4 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shreds. Check for doneness by using a fork to see if the meat easily pulls apart.
- Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a mixing bowl or large plate. ( Remove as much fat as you can from the cooking liquid, a gravy separator works great here)
- Use two forks to shred the pork into smaller pieces.
- Return the shredded pork to the roasting pan or dutch oven and stir in the cooking liquid to coat it well.
- Cover the pan and let the pork continue cooking for an additional 15-30 minutes in the oven to allow the flavors to absorb.
- Serve the Dr. Pepper pulled pork on hamburger buns and enjoy! Serve with more barbecue sauce if desired.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Nutrition
Leave a Review!
We LOVE hearing from you! Submit your question or comment here.
Your email address will not be published.
2 comments on “Dr Pepper Pulled Pork”
Can you <se canned pork?
Hi Susan. I haven’t tried it with canned pork but the recipe should still work the same.