Slow Cooker Coca-Cola & Bourbon Balsamic Pulled Pork

Tender, sweet, smoky, and perfect for sandwiches, tacos, nachos, and more.

Some recipes become family favorites because they're complicated. This isn't one of them.

This pulled pork proves that a handful of simple ingredients can produce incredible flavor with almost no effort. The secret is an ingredient you probably already have in your refrigerator: Coca-Cola.

As the pork slowly cooks, the Coca-Cola adds subtle caramel notes while helping tenderize the meat. Combined with Seven Barrels Bourbon Barrel Aged Balsamic, garlic, onions, and warm spices, the result is rich, savory pulled pork with just enough sweetness to keep everyone coming back for another sandwich.

Whether you're feeding a crowd for game day, hosting a Labor Day cookout, or simply looking for an easy Sunday dinner, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with very little work.

Why Coca-Cola Works

While it may sound unusual, Coca-Cola has been used in Southern cooking for generations. The sugar caramelizes beautifully, the acidity helps tenderize tougher cuts of meat, and the finished sauce develops an incredible depth that pairs perfectly with pork.

Adding Seven Barrels Bourbon Barrel Aged Balsamic takes the recipe to another level. Its naturally sweet, oak-aged flavor complements the caramel notes from the cola without overpowering the meat.

Ingredients

• 4 to 5 pound pork shoulder (Boston butt), boneless or bone-in

• 2 tablespoons Seven Barrels Garlic Olive Oil

• ¼ cup Seven Barrels Bourbon Barrel Aged Balsamic

• 12 ounces Coca-Cola (not diet)

• 1 large sweet onion, sliced

• 5 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon ground mustard

• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional for Serving

• Brioche buns

• Creamy coleslaw

• Dill pickle chips

• Crispy fried onions

• Extra Bourbon Barrel Aged Balsamic for drizzling

Instructions

Step 1

Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and season generously with the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and ground mustard.

Step 2

Heat the Garlic Olive Oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Sear the pork for about 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly browned. While optional, this step creates extra flavor.

Step 3

Place the sliced onions in the bottom of a slow cooker.

Add the garlic.

Set the pork on top.

Step 4

Whisk together:

• Coca-Cola

• Bourbon Barrel Aged Balsamic

• Worcestershire sauce

• Brown sugar

Pour the mixture over the pork.

Step 5

Cook:

• Low: 8 to 10 hours

• High: 5 to 6 hours

The pork is finished when it pulls apart easily with two forks.

Step 6

Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it.

Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid if desired.

Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it into the flavorful sauce for another 20 to 30 minutes.

Serving Ideas

This pulled pork is incredibly versatile.

Serve it:

• On toasted brioche buns with creamy coleslaw

• Over macaroni and cheese

• Stuffed into baked potatoes

• In tacos with pickled onions

• On nachos with cheddar cheese

• Over rice bowls

• In sliders for parties

• Wrapped in tortillas for quick lunches

Kitchen Tip

Don't throw away the cooking liquid.

After removing the pork, pour the remaining liquid into a saucepan and simmer it for 10 to 15 minutes until slightly thickened. Spoon it over the finished pulled pork just before serving for an extra layer of rich bourbon and caramel flavor.

Pair It with Seven Barrels

For the best flavor, use:

• Seven Barrels Bourbon Barrel Aged Balsamic

• Seven Barrels Garlic Olive Oil

Together they transform a classic slow cooker recipe into something worthy of your next backyard gathering.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freeze for up to 3 months.

The flavor becomes even better the next day, making this an excellent meal-prep recipe.

Final Thoughts

Great recipes don't have to be complicated. Sometimes the best meals begin with ingredients you already have in the pantry and a few premium additions that elevate everything else.

This Slow Cooker Coca-Cola & Bourbon Balsamic Pulled Pork is proof that comfort food can still feel special. Rich, tender, and full of deep caramelized flavor, it's the kind of recipe you'll find yourself making again and again for family dinners, football weekends, and gatherings with friends.

Once you try it, don't be surprised if it becomes your new favorite pulled pork recipe.