1-First step: Get everything readyStart by gathering all your ingredients and setting out your slow cooker. Dice the small yellow sweet onion, drain and rinse the pinto beans, and measure the barbecue sauce, coconut sugar, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and mustard powder. This little bit of prep keeps the process smooth and quick, which is helpful on a busy day.

2-Second step: Build the base in the slow cookerAdd all of the ingredients except the pork shoulder directly into the slow cooker. That means the beans, barbecue sauce, coconut sugar, Worcestershire sauce, diced onion, minced garlic, and mustard powder all go in first. Stir well so the sauce and seasonings are mixed through the beans and onion. This step matters because it helps the flavor spread evenly before the pork starts cooking.

3-Third step: Cut and nestle the porkTake the 2 pounds of boneless pork shoulder and cut it into 4 smaller pieces. Smaller pieces cook more evenly and help the meat absorb the sauce better. Nestle the pork pieces into the bean mixture so they are partly covered by the sauce. You do not need to brown the pork first, although you can do that if you want a little extra flavor.

4-Fourth step: Slow cook until tenderCover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. For this recipe, low heat is the best choice because it gives the pork time to soften and break down. The long cooking time is what turns a basic pot of ingredients into a rich, comforting dish. If you are using dried beans instead of canned beans, cook and soak them first, since dried beans need more time and can stay firm if added raw.

5-Fifth step: Shred the porkOnce the pork is fully cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board or plate. Use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. Shredding while it is still hot is much easier than waiting too long. You should see the pork pull apart with very little effort if the cooking time was long enough.

6-Sixth step: Stir the pork back inAdd the shredded pork back into the slow cooker and stir it into the beans and sauce. This helps the meat soak up more of the flavor and makes every spoonful taste balanced. Let it sit for a few minutes on warm if you want the sauce to thicken a little more before serving.

7-Final step: Serve and enjoySpoon the Slow Cooker Pork And Beans into bowls and serve hot. It works well as a main dish with vegetables, bread, and fruit. It also makes a great side dish with hamburgers and hot dogs at a cookout. For a full dinner spread, serve it with cornbread, coleslaw, or roasted vegetables.