When cooking pulled pork in a slow cooker, should the meat be submerged in liquid? [duplicate]

I am making pulled pork in my slow cooker this week. I am going to use a pork shoulder and am planning on cooking it on low for 8-10 hours while at work.

How much liquid should I put in the slow cooker? Should the liquid cover the pork or should there just be a little liquid in the bottom?

If the pork isn't fully submerged, will the parts of the meat that are not submerged cook? If so, how?

 \                                         /
  \         ********************          /  <-- Should liquid cover the meat? 
   \        ********************         /
    \       ********************        /  <-- Or go half way up the meat?
     \      ********************       /
      \     ********************      /  <-- Or should I just have a little liquid in the bottom?
       \-----------------------------/

Best Answer

For pulled pork, there is good reason to only use a small amount of liquid. Use only enough liquid to come nearly half way up the side of the pork.

The pork that is sticking out of the liquid will brown, much like a sear. The mechanism is different, but result is the same. The exposed meat will develop color and that extra meaty flavor that gives good BBQ its character.

Since you're planning on an 8-10 hour cook, you can flip the meat halfway through to get that effect all around.

Flavor your added liquid generously, and be prepared to de-fat it when the pork is done, it will make for a great sauce.

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When cooking pulled pork in a slow cooker, should the meat be submerged in liquid? [duplicate] - Grilled Meat

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Does pulled pork need to be covered in liquid?

Your liquid should not cover your pork in the slow cooker: it should only come up about a quarter of the way up the sides. The pork will make more liquid as it cooks, and you need to leave room for that. And 10 hours later, this huge hunk of meat is tender and ready.

Should you submerge meat in slow cooker?

5. Don't forget to cover the meat. Make sure it's all submerged under liquid for even cooking. Cooking times for meat cooked under liquid are different for those not --so push it all down or add more liquid.

Does pulled pork need to be submerged in crockpot?

The roast doesn't need to be completely submerged in the marinade, just make sure the top is coated and that there's at least an inch of liquid in the bottom of the slow cooker. Close the lid and you're ready to go! If you're going to be gone all day, set the slow cooker to low and it can cook for 8-10 hours.

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

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