• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Southern Discourse

Southern Discourse

Food, Faith & Southern Hospitality!

  • Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Casseroles
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Sauces & Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Collections
  • Hospitality
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Everyday
  • Shop
  • About
  • Subscribe
Home › Recipes
15 Comments

Cherry Cola BBQ Pulled Pork

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Jun 23, 2023

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links.

Your family is going to love eating Cherry Cola BBQ Pulled Pork on sandwiches, with potato salad or on BBQ nachos! It’s a simple recipe that can be thrown together and cooked low and slow in the oven or in the crock pot. A little salt and pepper, BBQ sauce and our secret ingredient of cherry cola make for a “fall apart” tender pork roast that you’re going to want to eat all the time!

Cherry Cola BBQ Pulled Pork


I learned to make a BBQ pork roast when I moved to Tennessee. A sweet friend at the time showed me how to cook one up in the oven so that my family could enjoy pulled pork without having to run to a BBQ joint all the time.

SERVE THIS WITH: Creamy Southern Coleslaw

Now, of course, smoked pulled pork is the best. But if you don’t have a smoker, this little method will more than do in a pinch for creating melt in your mouth pork that your family won’t be able to resist!

A cooked pulled pork with a beautiful glaze and crust before shredding.

Just look at that glaze and spice rub crust! That’s what we’re talking about right there! All it takes in a little salt and pepper and a few red pepper flakes rubbed into the pork before cooking. Then a good coat of BBQ sauce and sweet cherry cola create that shiny glaze that adds beau coup of flavor!

What You Need To Make Cherry Cola BBQ Pulled Pork

  • 3-4 lb pork tenderloin or pork shoulder
  • cherry cola (I use Cheerwine.)
  • BBQ sauce (your favorite kind)
  • salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper
A pork tenderloin in the crock pot, rubbed with spices and coated with BBQ sauce.

But inside… That pork is fall apart tender and moist! It can easily be shredded with a fork and served up on a bun or just eaten right there. Which is what The Engineer is always wont to do.

He just can’t stop himself from coming by and eating a bite or two or three while I’m trying to get it served up. And that’s some kind of testament. Because if that native Texan (where brisket is king) loves it… well, you can bet your boots you will too!

A BBQ pulled pork tenderloin being shredded with a fork.

Other BBQ Recipes You’ll Love!

  • Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs
  • Shredded Chicken BBQ Sandwich (Crock Pot)
  • Crock Pot BBQ Beef Pot Roast
  • BBQ Sheet Pan Nachos
  • Whiskey Peach BBQ Meatballs
  • BBQ Pulled Pork & Peach Pizza
A pork tenderloin being shredded with a fork.

Cherry Cola BBQ Pulled Pork

A spice rub crust and shiny BBQ glaze on the outside, fork tender and juicy on the inside!  This pulled pork is an easy crock pot recipe that makes perfect pulled pork for picnics and weekends.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: BBQ, crock pot, pork
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours hours
Total Time: 8 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Ingredients

  • 3-4 lb pork tenderloin
  • 12 oz cherry cola
  • bbq sauce
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

  • Mix together spices in a small bowl.  Rub spices on the top and sides of the tenderloin.
  • Place pork in a crock pot.  Using a basting brush, coat the outside of the tenderloin with bbq sauce.  Pour cherry cola over the top of the tenderloin.  Cola should fill up the crock pot, covering the bottom half of the tenderloin.
  • Cook on low in the crock pot for 7-9hrs.  

Notes

Also can be cooked in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 hrs.
A pork tenderloin being shredded with a fork.
Did you make my Cherry Cola BBQ Pulled Pork?Show me how it went! Share on Instagram, tag @southerndiscourse, and use the hashtag #SouthernDiscourse!
Tag on Insta Leave a Rating
Cherry Cola BBQ Pulled Pork cooks up with a spiced rubbed crust, shiny glaze and is fork tender inside!  Perfect for picnics, BBQ sandwiches, game day and weekends.  #crockpotmeal #pulledpork #bbq #porktenderloin #porkroast

Share this!

  • Facebook
  • Email

Filed Under: Main Dishes, Recipes Tagged With: game day, slow cooker, southern summer favorites, summer suppers

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Mail

Join Southern Discourse

Subscribe today to never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Rate & Comment Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




  1. Avatar photoTamera Wencl

    February 6, 2019 at 2:57 pm

    So making this! Making my mouth water just looking at it!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      February 6, 2019 at 3:46 pm

      Tamera,

      I hope you love it! We sure do enjoy it around here.

      Reply
  2. Avatar photoValerie L.

    March 9, 2019 at 1:23 pm

    Hi Stacey, This recipe looks both easy and delicious, so I have all of my ingredients on hand, and I’m going to be making this for our dinner tomorrow along with some baked sweet potatoes. I’ll let you now how we liked it.

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      March 9, 2019 at 10:45 pm

      Oh, please do! I am excited to hear how it turns out!

      Reply
      • Avatar photoValerie A.

        March 11, 2019 at 4:34 pm

        5 stars
        Hello Stacey, I made this for dinner last night, and we both loved it. In fact, we’re having the leftovers for dinner tonight. My husband told me that this recipe is a “keeper”, which is high praise from him since he is so picky. Thanks so much for the recipe, Stacey, and I’ll be sure to pass it along to my family and friends. Looking forward to trying some of your other recipes, too. I’ve already made the Red Velvet Trifle for a Valentine’s party, and everyone loved it. Take care!

        Reply
        • Stacey Pirtlestacey

          March 14, 2019 at 7:10 pm

          Hi, Valerie!

          How awesome! I am so glad your husband enjoyed it. I have some picky eaters too, so I feel honored to hear those words!! You really made my week by cooking this and loving it. (and the trifle too!) Thank you so very much. I can’t wait to hear what else you’re cooking up!

          Reply
  3. Avatar photoJason

    November 18, 2020 at 9:45 pm

    5 stars
    I am going to try this Memorial Day when I smoke my pork butt. What do you think about adding a splash of Jack Daniel’s? Love using it when smoking and grilling!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      November 20, 2020 at 8:09 am

      Hi, Jason! I think that sounds delicious! Perfect idea! Don’t forget to come back and let me know how it goes. Can’t wait!

      Reply
  4. Avatar photoBee

    June 7, 2021 at 6:07 pm

    If done in the oven, covered or uncovered? Looks great!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      June 17, 2021 at 9:28 am

      Hi, Bee! If you would like to cook this in the oven, leave it uncovered until it the pork gets a nice sticky glaze and maybe a little caramelized crust around the edges. Then tent a piece of foil over it to finish cooking. I can’t wait to hear all about it!

      Reply
  5. Avatar photoCarmel

    October 29, 2022 at 2:36 pm

    5 stars
    This looks right up my alley. The only question is if this is sweet tasting and may not be good for my diabetes…plus, I like to taste the meat and not have it sweet. Thank you

    Reply
  6. Avatar photoCarmel

    October 29, 2022 at 2:38 pm

    Can diet Dr. Pepper work? I’d also use very little BBQ sauce or look for sugar free. Thnk you!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      November 7, 2022 at 3:53 pm

      Hi, Carmel! I haven’t made it with diet Dr. Pepper, but I think it would be worth a try. Let me know how it goes!

      Reply
  7. Avatar photoDenise Stripling

    May 31, 2024 at 5:31 am

    5 stars
    The family loved this for our Memorial Day weekend gathering! The recipe is so easy, with perfect results. We plan to enjoy the leftovers using your Barbeque Nachos recipe!!

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      June 2, 2024 at 8:29 am

      Denise! You are a rock star! Can’t wait to hear what you think about the nachos. We love them!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Mail

Join Southern Discourse

Never miss a new post!

Reader Favorites

  • A finished skillet of Dirty Rice.Louisiana Dirty Rice
  • traditional chicken and dressing for a southern holiday mealSouthern Chicken and Dressing
  • Whipped Feta Dip with honeyWhipped Feta with Honey Dip
  • A forkful of sweet potato casserole to show the fluffy texture of the potatoes.Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
  • pecan pie bars turn traditional pie into an easy dessertBest Ever Pecan Pie Bars
  • Spicy Italian Sub Crescent Ring TitleSpicy Italian Crescent Ring

Recipes by Category

  • Appetizers
  • Beverages
  • Bread
  • Breakfast & Brunch
  • Casseroles
  • Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads
  • Sandwiches
  • Sauces & Dessings
  • Side Dishes
  • Soups
Southern Discourse
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Mail

Join Southern Discourse

Subscribe today to never miss a post!

© 2025 · Southern Discourse · Privacy · Cookies

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




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