1-First Step: Gather and prep everything Start by dicing the small yellow sweet onion, draining and rinsing the pinto beans, and measuring out the BBQ sauce, coconut sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and mustard powder. Since this recipe is meant to be easy, using pre-minced jarred garlic is totally fine. If you want to check pork quality, fresh pork shoulder is best because it gives the finished dish a better texture and fuller flavor.

2-Second Step: Build the sauce base in the slow cooker Add all ingredients except the pork directly into the slow cooker. That means the beans, BBQ sauce, coconut sugar, Worcestershire sauce, onion, garlic, and mustard powder go in first. Stir everything together until the beans are coated and the sauce looks evenly mixed. This is the part where the whole dish starts coming together, and it only takes a minute or two.

3-Third Step: Add the pork Cut the pork shoulder into 4 smaller pieces so it cooks evenly. Nestle the pieces into the bean mixture and push them down slightly so they are surrounded by sauce. You do not need to brown the meat first, which keeps the recipe simple, but you can do that if you want a deeper flavor.

4-Fourth Step: Cook low and slow Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. The long cooking time is important because it gives the pork time to become tender and fully cooked. If you are making this after a busy morning, the good news is that the slow cooker does the work while you handle everything else. If you are curious about pork nutrition, you can also read more on this pork nutrition guide.

5-Fifth Step: Shred the pork Once the pork is soft enough to shred easily with a fork, remove it from the slow cooker. Shred it into bite-size pieces, then add it back into the pot. Stir everything together so the pork gets coated in the sauce and beans.

6-Final Step: Serve and enjoy Spoon the pork and beans into bowls while hot. This dish is great on its own, but it also works with cornbread, biscuits, rice, or even simple coleslaw. If you want a thicker texture, let it sit uncovered for a few minutes before serving. If you prefer a looser sauce, stir in a splash of water or broth.