This easy freezer pulled pork recipe feeds 8-10 people using a $5 cut of meat! Freeze it ahead of time for a quick simple weeknight dinner!
Pulled pork is one of those recipes that always intimidated me. Until, that is, I actually tried it and discovered not just how ridiculously easy it is to make, but how inexpensive it is to make a delicious, hearty meal for a crowd that even the pickiest eaters in the bunch will RAVE about!
The first time I made it I had planned to use pork shoulder (also known as Boston Butt), but the butcher at Publix was inexplicably out of all pork shoulders. When I told her I was planning to make pulled pork, she recommended I use a picnic cut instead, which is one of the cheapest cuts of meat, but works just as well. I was a little skeptical when I saw I could get a huge chunk of meat for just five dollars, but I decided to trust the butcher. After all, she’s never steered me wrong before!
Well. Let me just tell you that I have now made this easy freezer pulled pork recipe for a crowd several times, and it is always a huge hit! My $5 chunk of meat easily feeds 8 people, with enough for seconds (and even some thirds!) It is also a nice “cheater” freezer recipe that can be prepared ahead as part of a freezer cooking day, then frozen until needed. Seriously, this one is a winner through and through.
Here is what you need:
2 2-3 pound pork shoulder (Boston Butt) or Picnic cut salt & pepper 1/2 sweet onion 2 cups barbecue sauce 2 cans Root Beer 1 tablespoon seasoned salt 2 tablespoons liquid smoke (optional) rolls or hamburger bunsStep 1: Rub meat with salt and pepper; set aside.
Step 2: Chop onion; set aside.
Step 3: In medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, Root Beer, seasoned salt, and liquid smoke until smooth then add chopped onion.
Step 4: Divide meat into two gallon-size Ziploc bags. (Be sure to label bags before using!) Divide sauce in half and pour over meat; freeze until needed.
Step 5: Thaw in refrigerator; pour contents into slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 hours. Pull meat apart with fork then serve on rolls or hamburger buns.
Preparation time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 8 hours. Number of servings (yield): 8-10.
What’s your favorite inexpensive way to feed a crowd?
Have you heard the news? It’s the 12th Anniversary of our LWSL Holiday Planner! For…
LWSL & Co. Favorite 5 It seems crazy that it's fall already, but we can…
Lisa's Favorite 5 I'm a busy wife, mom, and gigi, so I'm all about finding…
Feeling like your finances are out of control can be downright scary. Don't miss these…
Amanda's Favorite 5 Do you spend so much time pouring into everyone else in your…
Danny's Favorite 5 Need some gift ideas for the Dads in your life? I've got…
Simplify your life in just 3 simple steps. Get our Living Well Starter Guide, absolutely free!
View Comments
I have a few questions... $5 pork roast big enough to feed a family of 5?? I'm guessing this is a very old article. Lol! Tried it anyway and my next question is... did I do something wrong? I followed the recipe but Way too much liquid! Made pork roast soup.
Could it be cooked from frozen in crockpot?
Just confirming....this 2 bag freezer meal, is just one meal right? Or is it 2 meals? :)
HI Becky,
Each bag is one meal. And can serve up to 6 people. :)
I want to have this tonight, but no longer have 8 hours. Can I cook it on high?
I made this as a freezer meal, then halved the recipe since I live alone and made it in my mini crock pot... it was amazing! I used Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce and it went well with everything in here! So Delicious, tender, just crazy yummy. Can't wait to make it for my parents (who are huuuuge BBQ fans) when I visit them! =)
So glad you liked the recipe!! Can't wait to hear how your parents liked it. :)
Thanks for this recipe. Looks yummy. I bet I could score a few points with my husband on this one. :)
So do you recommend this full recipe to feed 8 people total? Or is it 2 meals for 8 people?
The article states: "A $5 chunk of meat easily feeds 8 people."
I love how you have the shopping list and prep sheet in pdf format because then its easily printable or just "saveable" on my tablet. Any chance we can get the accompanying recipes in that format too so I can save it all to be able to view offline as well? That would really be appreciated.
Love the freezer option in this. Makes life so much less complicated to just pull a meal out and drop it in the crock pot! Thanks. Pinned!
This looks delicious!! We usually make our pulled pork on the smoker and although it is delicious, it takes all day, literally!! Can't wait to give this crock pot recipe a try!! Pinned!