Introduction
Turn your dinner into a flavorful feast with this delicious pulled pork recipe. Perfect for gatherings, family meals, or a casual BBQ, this dish features tender shredded pork coated in a homemade BBQ sauce. With simple ingredients and a slow cooking process, you’ll impress everyone with your culinary skills!
Detailed Ingredients with measures
Rub:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 3/4 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pork:
- 1.5 – 2.2 kg (3 – 4.5 lb) pork shoulder or butt, skinless and boneless
- 3/4 cup apple cider or apple juice
- 6 – 8 bread rolls
- Coleslaw (quantity as desired)
BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup pork juices from slow cooker (after cooking)
- 2 1/2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons each black pepper, onion (or garlic) powder, mustard powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Prep Time
1 hour (optional marinating time)
Cook Time
Slow Cooker: 8 hours
Pressure Cooker: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Total Time
Approximately 9 hours (including prep)
Yield
Serves approximately 8
Instructions
- Combine all Rub ingredients and apply evenly over the pork. Optionally, marinate for 1 hour.
- Place the pork in the slow cooker and pour over the apple cider. Cook on low for 8 hours or pressure cook on high for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and transfer to a roasting pan, reserving the cooking liquid.
- Optional: Roast the pork in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20-30 minutes until browned.
- Shred the pork using two forks; it should be tender and fall apart easily.
- Prepare the BBQ Sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk together, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 1 hour. Remove from heat.
- Mix the shredded pork with the BBQ Sauce, using as much as desired. The recipe yields enough sauce to coat the pork well, with some extra on the side.
- To assemble sandwiches, place the pulled pork on warmed bread rolls and top with coleslaw.
Notes
- For larger pork cuts (3 – 4 kg / 6 – 8 lb), adjust the Rub and Sauce quantities accordingly. Cooking time in the slow cooker will be approximately 10 hours.
- Apple cider adds flavor and moisture; both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions work well. Apple juice is a suitable substitute.
- To prepare in the oven: Add 1 cup of water to the roasting pan, cover, and cook at 160°C (325°F) for 3 hours. Uncover and roast for an additional 30 minutes until browned. Ensure there is about 2 cups of liquid remaining at the end of cooking.
- Roasting the pork after slow cooking adds caramelization and flavor.
- For a quicker version using store-bought BBQ sauce: Use 650 ml (22 oz) of your preferred BBQ sauce, add 1 cup of the reserved pork juices, and simmer on medium-high heat for 30 minutes or until thickened, stirring regularly.
- A 1.5 kg (3 lb) pork shoulder yields enough for 6 large or 8 regular-sized sandwiches.
- This dish is excellent for making ahead. Cool the shredded pork and refrigerate it separately from the sauce. To serve, reheat the pork, mix with the sauce, and assemble sandwiches.
- The BBQ Sauce is adapted from a popular Food Network recipe by the Neely’s, while the pork recipe is original.
- Nutritional information is approximate and based on 8 servings, including a standard bread roll.
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Prepare the Rub
Combine all Rub ingredients in a bowl: brown sugar, paprika powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin powder, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create an even rub.
Apply the Rub
Evenly apply the rub mixture over the surface of the pork shoulder or butt. For enhanced flavor, you may choose to marinate the pork for 1 hour.
Cook the Pork
Place the seasoned pork into the slow cooker. Pour 3/4 cup of apple cider or apple juice over the pork. Set the slow cooker to low and let it cook for 8 hours. Alternatively, you can use a pressure cooker by cooking on high for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Transfer the Pork
Once cooked, carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it in a roasting pan. Be sure to reserve the cooking liquid for later use.
Optional Roasting
For added flavor and texture, roast the pork in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20-30 minutes until the surface is browned.
Shred the Pork
Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces. It should be tender and fall apart easily.
Make the BBQ Sauce
In a medium saucepan, combine all BBQ Sauce ingredients: reserved pork juices, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, black pepper, onion (or garlic) powder, mustard powder, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk the mixture together and heat over medium heat. Bring it to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 1 hour.
Mix Pork with BBQ Sauce
Once the BBQ sauce has simmered, combine the shredded pork with the sauce in a large bowl. Use as much sauce as desired to coat the pork well. You will have extra sauce for serving.
Assemble the Sandwiches
To serve, take warmed bread rolls and pile the pulled pork onto each roll. Top with coleslaw according to your preference.
Notes
Adjustments for Larger Cuts
If using larger pork cuts (3 – 4 kg / 6 – 8 lb), be sure to increase the quantities for the Rub and BBQ Sauce accordingly. The cooking time in a slow cooker will be approximately 10 hours.
Apple Cider Options
Apple cider adds moisture and flavor; both alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties work well. If unavailable, apple juice can be used as a substitute.
Oven Cooking Instructions
To prepare the pork in the oven, add 1 cup of water to the roasting pan, cover, and cook at 160°C (325°F) for 3 hours. Uncover and roast for an additional 30 minutes until browned. Ensure there are about 2 cups of liquid remaining by the end of cooking.
Benefits of Roasting
Roasting the pork after slow cooking enhances caramelization and depth of flavor.
Quicker Version with Store-bought Sauce
For a faster option, utilize 650 ml (22 oz) of your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce. Mix in 1 cup of the reserved pork juices and simmer on medium-high heat for 30 minutes or until thickened, stirring regularly.
Yield Information
A 1.5 kg (3 lb) pork shoulder typically yields enough meat for approximately 6 large or 8 regular-sized sandwiches.
Make-Ahead Option
This dish is great for meal prep. Allow the shredded pork to cool and store it separately from the sauce in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the pork, mix it with the sauce, and assemble sandwiches.
Source Information
The BBQ Sauce recipe is adapted from a popular Food Network recipe by the Neely’s, while the pork recipe itself is original.
Nutritional Information
Please note that nutritional information is approximate and is based on 8 servings, including a standard bread roll.
Cook techniques
Preparation of the Rub
Combine all rub ingredients in a bowl, mixing thoroughly to ensure even distribution of spices. The rub enhances the pork’s flavor profile, creating a balance of sweetness and smokiness.
Marinating the Pork
Optionally, after applying the rub, allow the pork to marinate for up to 1 hour. This process helps to deepen the flavors and tenderize the meat.
Slow Cooking
Place the seasoned pork shoulder in the slow cooker, along with apple cider or juice, and cook on low for 8 hours. This method allows the pork to become tender and flavorful as it cooks in its own juices.
Pressure Cooking
As an alternative to slow cooking, use a pressure cooker on high for 1 hour and 30 minutes. This technique significantly reduces cooking time while still yielding tender shredded pork.
Roasting for Texture
After slow cooking, transfer the pork to a roasting pan and optionally roast in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20-30 minutes. This adds a caramelized exterior and enhances flavor.
Shredding the Pork
Once cooked, use two forks to shred the pork. It should fall apart easily, allowing for a perfect mixture with the BBQ sauce.
Preparing BBQ Sauce
In a saucepan, combine all BBQ sauce ingredients and whisk together. Simmer gently for about 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and develop. This creates a rich, tangy sauce.
Mixing Pork with BBQ Sauce
Combine the shredded pork with the prepared BBQ sauce, using as much sauce as desired to achieve the preferred flavor and moisture level.
Assembling the Sandwiches
To serve, place the pulled pork on warmed bread rolls and top with coleslaw. The combination of textures and flavors makes for an enjoyable sandwich experience.
FAQ
Can I use different cuts of pork for this recipe?
Yes, other cuts like pork loin can be used, but they may require different cooking times and may not be as tender as pork shoulder or butt.
What can I substitute for apple cider?
Apple juice is a suitable substitute for apple cider, providing similar sweetness and moisture to the pork.
Can this dish be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can cool and refrigerate the shredded pork and BBQ sauce separately. Reheat before serving for the best flavor.
How do I adjust cooking time for larger pork cuts?
For larger cuts, adjust both the rub and sauce quantities accordingly, and increase the slow cooking time to about 10 hours.
What is the best way to store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The shredded pork can also be frozen for longer storage.
Conclusion
The pulled pork recipe is a delicious and versatile dish that is sure to impress at any gathering. With a rich rub and homemade BBQ sauce, this tender, flavorful pork can be served in sandwiches or on its own. Whether enjoyed at a summer barbecue or a cozy family dinner, it’s a crowd-pleaser that can be easily prepared in advance and customized to your taste.
BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Use a similar rub and cooking method on chicken thighs or breasts. Shred the chicken and mix it with BBQ sauce for a delightful variation.
Pulled Jackfruit Tacos
For a vegetarian option, use young green jackfruit as a substitute for pork. Season it with the same rub, slow cook with apple cider, shred, and serve in tacos topped with coleslaw.
Smoked Beef Brisket
Try using a beef brisket seasoned with the same rub. Smoke or slow-cook it and serve with a rich BBQ sauce for a flavorful alternative to pork.
Pulled Pork Nachos
Take the leftover pulled pork and use it on nachos. Layer tortilla chips with pulled pork, cheese, jalapeños, and drizzle with BBQ sauce for a delicious snack or meal.
BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas
Fill tortillas with pulled pork and cheese, then grill or pan-fry until crispy. Serve with your choice of dipping sauces for a tasty appetizer.
Sloppy Joes
Mix the shredded pork with additional BBQ sauce for a sloppy joe version. Serve on hamburger buns with pickles for a fun twist on a classic.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Combine shredded pork with rice and vegetables, fill bell peppers, and bake. Top with cheese for a complete meal packed with flavor.
