Simply LaKita

  • Home
  • About
  • Browse Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Drinks and Cocktails
    • Snacks and Appetizers
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Instant Pot
  • Contact
  • Where Southern Comfort Food Meets Modern Flavor
  • Accessibility Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Browse Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Instant Pot

Modified: Jan 5, 2025 · Published: Sep 9, 2019 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

Spicy Pop Pulled Pork

Jump to Recipe
slow cooker pulled pork pin

Spicy Pop Pulled Pork is a version of the pioneer woman pulled pork recipe. It takes your classic pork roast recipe and adds in soda to make the meat extra tender and tasty. Cook it in your slow cooker for a delicious meal!

pulled pork in square white baking dish with forks in it

In my humble opinion, there is no better time saver than cooking in a slow cooker. You place in all the ingredients and let the slow cooker do its magic.

As you have probably guessed by now, I love cooking meals that are simple and convenient. To me, long hours spent in the kitchen are reserved for special times, such as dinner parties, holidays, and the occasional Sunday dinner. During the week I like to make something that is quick and easy.

Recently, I found a recipe to spice up a pork roast that I could not wait to try because it involves soda. When it comes to cooking any roast, I love cooking it in a slow cooker. Low and slow! This allows the roast to become super tender and full of flavor. 

This shredded pork recipe is originally from Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, but I decided to make a few changes to make it my own. 

What ingredients are needed for the pop pulled pork? 

ingredients needed to make pulled pork in separate bowls and containers with a cloth napkin

  • Pork loin roast or pork shoulder
  • Soda pop, I used Dr Pepper
  • Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • Onion 
  • Brown sugar
  • Salt 
  • Ground black pepper

How do you make the soda pop pulled pork? 

Begin the recipe by drying the pork roast. Rub generously with salt, ground black pepper, and brown sugar. Set aside. 

seasoned raw pork in large white bowl beside cloth napkin

Using a slow cooker, or the slow cooker setting on a pressure cooker (Instant Pot), roughly chop 2 medium onions and add into the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with the seasoned pork roast. 

seasoned pork and sliced onion in instant pot

Add the chipotle pepper in adobo sauce on top of the pork roast. 

Want To Save This Recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get comforting new recipes from us every week!

peppers, pork, and onions in instant pot

Slowly pour in the soda to cover everything in the slow cooker.

all pulled pork ingredients added to instant pot

Cover and allow to cook on high 4 hours or low, 6 to 8 hours depending on your slow cooker. 

finger touching slow cook setting on instant pot

Carefully remove spicy soda pop pork from the slow cooker and shred using two forks. Serve on a bun while warm. 

cooked pork in instant pot

Why is this the best pulled pork recipe?

  1. The slow cooker makes this a dump and go meal and allows the pork to become tender.
  2. The soda helps to tenderize the meat and mellows out the spiciness of the chipotle peppers. 
  3. It is the opportunity to use your favorite dark soda pop in a savory recipe. Try using Dr Pepper, root beer, cola or cherry cola. 
  4. Spicy soda pulled pork is the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory. 
  5. It can be used to make a sandwich, pair with your favorite side dish, or top a baked potato. 

What do I serve with this pork recipe?

  • Simple Roasted Sweet Potatoes 
  • Southern Mac and Cheese 
  • Oven Roasted Broccoli 
  • Greek Potatoes

This roast is the perfect combination of savory, spicy, and sweet. There are so many flavors happening in this dish that make it absolutely worth giving a try. Make it and serve it any way that you like.

close up view of pulled pork in white baking dish with forks

📖 Recipe

close up view of pulled pork in white baking dish with forks

Spicy Pop Pulled Pork

LaKita Anderson
Spicy Pop Pulled Pork Roast takes your classic pork roast recipe and adds in soda to make the meat extra tender and tasty. Cook it in your slow cooker for a delicious meal!
5 from 12 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 hours hrs
Total Time 8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 369 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole pork loin roast (5 to 7 pounds)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 2 medium onions, peeled and quartered
  • 11 oz. chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 2 cans soda pop (I use Dr Pepper)

Instructions
 

  • Begin the recipe by drying the pork roast. Rub generously with salt, ground black pepper, and brown sugar. Set aside.
  • Using a slow cooker, or the slow cooker setting on a pressure cooker (Instant Pot), Roughly chop 2 medium onions and add into the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with the seasoned pork roast.
  • Add the chipotle pepper in adobo sauce on top of the pork roast.
  • Slowly pour in the soda to cover everything in the slow cooker. Cover and allow to cook on high 4 hours or low, 6 to 8 hours depending on your slow cooker.
  • Carefully remove spicy soda pop pork from the slow cooker and shred using two forks. Serve on a bun while warm.

Notes

  • The slow cooker makes this a dump and go meal and allows the pork to become tender.
  • The soda helps to tenderize the meat and mellows out the spiciness of the chipotle peppers. 
  • It is the opportunity to use your favorite dark soda pop in a savory recipe. Try using Dr. Pepper, root beer, cola or cherry cola. 
  • Spicy soda pulled pork is the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory. 
  • It can be used to make a sandwich, pair with your favorite side dish, or top a baked potato.
  • Recipe adapted from The Pioneer Woman 
Calories: 369kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 49gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 518mgPotassium: 859mgFiber: 3gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 1559IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 2mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword pioneer woman pulled pork
Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!

bun with pulled pork on it on a white plate beside a cloth napkin

Got any comments, questions, or other Spicy Pop Pulled Pork ideas? Share them in the comments below!

More Instant Pot

  • Finished stuffed peppers in the instant pot.
    Easy Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers Recipe
  • Sweet and Spicy Meatballs Recipe (Made in Instant Pot)
  • Overhead view of white plate with chicken, potatoes, and green beans beside a fork.
    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans
  • overhead view of two finished cheesesteaks on a white plate on a marble surface
    Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak

Comments

    5 from 12 votes (3 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Kenya Rae says

    September 14, 2019 at 10:04 am

    5 stars
    Oh i wish i ate pork just for this. I miss a good pork roast and pulled pork sandwich.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 15, 2019 at 6:52 pm

      Aww. Try it with chicken it should work just as well. Just reduce the cooking time.

      Reply
  2. Tisha says

    September 13, 2019 at 11:58 pm

    5 stars
    Whew! Look at those Chipotle peppers! So much flavor...I love it!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 15, 2019 at 6:52 pm

      Yes, full of FLAVOR!!!!

      Reply
  3. Jazz says

    September 13, 2019 at 11:52 pm

    5 stars
    Never would have thought of this combination but it looks amazing!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 15, 2019 at 6:51 pm

      Thank you Jazz!!

      Reply
  4. SHANIKA says

    September 13, 2019 at 8:42 pm

    5 stars
    This Pulled Pork recipe looks so delicious! I love that you chose to use a Pressure Cooker! I definitely need to try this!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 13, 2019 at 9:14 pm

      Thank you Shanika! I have definitely fallen in love with using the pressure cooker for everything!

      Reply
  5. Katrina Adams says

    September 13, 2019 at 7:12 am

    5 stars
    I have been looking for a good pulled pork recipe!! I can’t wait to try this! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 13, 2019 at 9:13 pm

      Yay!! Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  6. Tamara J. says

    September 12, 2019 at 10:14 am

    5 stars
    I love the addition of the soda to help with achieve the perfect tenderness!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 13, 2019 at 9:13 pm

      Thank you Tamara, it makes the meat so tender!

      Reply
  7. Dawn @ Our Food Fix says

    September 11, 2019 at 9:52 pm

    Interesting, I have never heard of cooking meat in pop. But it kind of makes sense! It sure does make a great BBQ sauce.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 13, 2019 at 9:12 pm

      It is a strange combination but it works together really well. It makes a delicious sauce, perfect for dipping!

      Reply
  8. Marta says

    September 11, 2019 at 2:54 pm

    5 stars
    I LOVE making Dr. Pepper pulled pork, but never made mine spicy! I'm going to have to remedy that!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 11, 2019 at 5:07 pm

      Yes!! It is delicious, if you love spicy foods.

      Reply
  9. Jen says

    September 11, 2019 at 1:58 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! this is so delish. I love your photography. Thinking of trying this over the weekend.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 11, 2019 at 5:06 pm

      Thank you Jen! Try it, you will love it!

      Reply
  10. Julie I Aloha Lovely says

    September 11, 2019 at 6:03 am

    Looks delish! I usually use beer when making pulled pork but I'll have to try soda next time.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 11, 2019 at 10:32 am

      Thank you! It's really good. I haven't tried beer with pulled pork before, will have to next time.

      Reply
  11. Lecy | A Simpler Grace says

    September 10, 2019 at 8:05 pm

    This sounds like a great recipe! I love your photography!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 10, 2019 at 11:53 pm

      Thank you!!!

      Reply
  12. Jordan | Read. Eat. Repeat. says

    September 10, 2019 at 9:47 am

    5 stars
    Sounds amazing! I love your photos too, so bright and appetizing!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      September 10, 2019 at 11:53 pm

      Thank you so much Jordan!

      Reply
Head shot bio photo of LaKita in an orange shirt.

Hi, I'm LaKita. I'm a Lifelong home cook and self-taught baker. I've been sharing modern comfort food through food blogging, recipe development, and photography since 2013.

More about me →

Popular Recipes

  • overhead view of white bowl of salad topped with dressing next to fork and jar of dressing
    Hibachi Ginger Dressing
  • Close up view of piece of delight on white plate with a fork.
    Best Chocolate Delight Recipe (Easy Layered Dessert)
  • Hibachi Vegetables
  • Overhead view of finished deviled eggs on white plate topped with parsley and paprika.
    Easy Deviled Eggs with Miracle Whip

Featured In

Side Dishes

  • bowl of pasta salad beside a fork
    Easy Warm Pasta Salad Recipe
  • Overhead view of single serving of bacon mac and cheese on white plate by a fork on grey surface.
    Bacon Mac and Cheese Recipe (Extra Creamy + Cheesy)
  • Overhead view of fresh and fried okra in a white bowl on top of a cloth napkin.
    Fried Okra Recipe (Crispy Southern Classic)
  • Overhead view of southern baked beans in large white braiser pan with serving spoon in it.
    Southern Baked Beans Recipe (Easy + Hearty)

See more Side Dishes →

Footer

↑ back to top

as seen in:

Subscribe for weekly updates!

Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy
  • ↑ back to top

Copyright © 2025 Simply LaKita • Post may contain affiliate links.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.