Coca Cola Pulled Pork

This Coca Cola pulled pork is sweet, savory, and impossible to resist!

Whether you serve it as an appetizer, a side dish, or as a main entrée, this pulled pork will make your dinner extra special.

How can you say no to sweet, smoky, and melt-in-your-mouth pork?

Especially when it’s this easy to make! Just toss all the ingredients in the Crockpot, and your part is done.

Yes, it takes several hours of waiting, but every minute is worth it.

I promise, this Coca Cola pulled pork recipe is perfect for summer barbecues, or for cozy winter nights at home!

Coca Cola Pulled Pork

Ever wonder why Coca Cola or any other type of soda tastes great in pulled pork?

It’s because the sugars in the soda caramelize while slow-cooking, giving the pork that beautiful, sweet flavor.

Together with the barbecue sauce and liquid smoke, it makes the pork unbelievable.

Don’t believe me? Try my Dr. Pepper pulled pork, too!

Ingredients

First things first: what’s the best cut of meat for pulled pork?

The best cut for pulled pork is, hands down, the shoulder. It’s the moistest cut of pork, which will give you that lovely, melt-in-your-mouth barbecue.

In second place is pork butt, which will also yield a super tender dish.

Try to avoid pork tenderloin. It’s leaner, which means you’ll get dryer meat. But you can use it in a pinch.

Just load it with your favorite sauces for pulled pork, and it’ll be just fine.

You’ll also want to pick a boneless cut so that it’s much easier to shred once cooked.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s get to it. Here’s what you’ll need to make Coca Cola pulled pork:

• Pork Roast (shoulder or butt) – The star of this dish is the pork, so take your time picking a decent joint.

• Garlic and Onion  – For flavor.

• Black and Cayenne Peppers  – For a kick of spice.

• Liquid Smoke  – To add smokiness to the barbecue.

• Coca Cola  – It caramelizes as it cooks, giving the pork a wonderful sweet flavor.

• Barbecue Sauce  – For that sweet and smoky barbecue flavor. Pick your favorite brand!

Tips for the Best Pulled Pork

• Get all the sauce out of the bottle. Pour some of the Coke into the bottle and give it a good shake. Once the sauce has thinned out, it will be a lot easier to pour.

• Try another type of soda. Dr. Pepper, Root Beer, or Cream Soda all work well.

• Do not over-crowd the slow cooker. If the piece of meat is too big, it won’t cook as evenly or as quickly (relatively speaking).

• Trim the fat off the meat post-cooking. Pork shoulder has a thick layer of fat that you won’t want in your dish. So, trim off anything over a quarter of an inch. It’ll basically melt off after cooking, so it’s not hard.

• Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature of perfectly cooked pulled pork is 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Make a thick sauce out of the remaining juices. Just cook it on the stove over medium-low heat and stir constantly until thick. Pour it over the pulled pork, and voila!   

• Use the best buns! What are the best buns for pulled pork sandwiches? I like Hawaiian or Kaiser rolls.

To Store: transfer leftover pulled pork to a sealable container and refrigerate it for up to 5 days.

You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Place it in a freezer-safe bag, remove excess air, and seal.

What To Do With Leftover Pulled Pork

I think the question should be, what can’t you do with leftover pulled pork?

Pulled pork is such a versatile dish you can do absolutely whatever you want with it. Here are some ideas:

• Use it in a sandwich! Or, stuff it in a burrito, quesadilla, taco, enchilada, or any tortilla wrapped dish you can come up with.
• Top it on pizza, nachos, or crackers.
• Add it to a salad.
• Eat it with rice.
• Or, you can just eat it on its own!

Sides to Go With Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is already fantastic on its own, but what to serve with pulled pork to take it to the next level?

Here are a few side dishes that pair wonderfully with pulled pork.

• Coleslaw. It’s crisp, cool, and creamy, while pulled pork is tender, hot, and sweet. Together, they create the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

• Jalapeno cornbread. This savory cornbread complements the sweetness and smokiness of the pork beautifully.

• Serve it over rice. Top the pulled pork on a bed of fluffy rice and have a hearty, delectable meal. 

• Mac and cheese. Along with pulled pork, it makes the ultimate comfort food! 

Other great sides for pulled pork include potatoes – in every form! Whether mashed, fried, roasted, or baked, it doesn’t matter! Any kind of potato dish tastes amazing with pulled pork.

Want something a little lighter? Pair your pulled pork with a crisp, refreshing salad. I like using a creamy dressing to contrast the sweetness of the pork, but you can also use vinaigrette.