When the summer rolls around, everyone starts pulling out their favorite BBQ recipe to impress their friends at the next picnic or gathering. One of the crowd favorites is always pulled pork. The meat’s fatty richness, savory flavor, and tenderness are hard to compete with. Plus, you can put it on everything from pulled pork sandwiches to baked sweet potatoes and everything in between. You can even eat it plain. I promise no one will judge you.

The best part about pulled pork is it is super easy to make. You can make it on the grill or smoker, but the most straightforward ways are in the oven or the crock pot/slow cooker. If you want to impress all of your friends at the next gathering with your pulled pork, keep reading to learn this straightforward recipe.

What Is Pulled Pork?

You typically make pulled pork using a pork loin or shoulder roast. It’s slow-cooked with BBQ seasoning until it becomes pulled apart and tender.

The highest quality pulled pork is made in the smoker or on the BBQ, and its origins go back to the Southern United States. The first Spanish settlers brought the barbacoa method of cooking pork and beef from Central America. Over time, the indigenous, enslaved and European colonists began to adopt this cooking method.

Slow-roasting pork became a delicacy, particularly in the Carolinas. The enslaved population of America continued the tradition and perfected the method that we are now all familiar with.

Pulled Pork Recipe

The highest quality pulled pork is made in the smoker or on the BBQ, and its origins go back to the Southern United States. The first Spanish settlers brought the barbacoa method of cooking pork and beef from Central America. Over time, the indigenous, enslaved, and European colonists began to adopt this cooking method.

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 5 hrs

Total Time 5 hrs 15 mins

Course BBQ

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 190 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 3 pounds Pork loin or shoulder roast
• 1 bottle BBQ sauce your favorite type
• 2 teaspoons Smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons Ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons Pepper
• 2 teaspoons Brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ cups Chicken broth
• ½ cups Apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Yellow mustard
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Large cloves of garlic crushed
• 1 Large onion chopped

Instructions

 

Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe:

• Trim any excess fat from the pork loin or shoulder roast and pat dry with a paper towel.
• Mix barbeque sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar, mustard, Worchestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic, onion, paprika, cumin, pepper, chili powder and salt.
• Place the pork loin or shoulder and cover with the spice mixture. The liquid spice mixture should come most of the way up the sides of your piece of pork.
• Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours.
• Once the pork is cooked and tender, remove it from the crock pot. Shred it with a fork, return it to the slow cooker, and mix it with the remaining juices.
• Serve on pulled pork sandwiches or your favorite dish.

Oven Pulled Pork Recipe:

• Trim any excess fat from the pork loin or shoulder roast and pat dry with a paper towel.
• Mix all of your dry ingredients in a small bowl. Mix the Worchestershire sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar and barbeque sauce in a separate medium bowl.
• Cover the pork loin or shoulder with mustard and cover all sides of the pork with your dry spice rub.
• Place meat in a roasting pan and pour the liquid mixture around the side of the piece of pork.
• Cook in an oven preheated to 350º F for 3-4 hours or until the pork is cooked and tender enough to shred with a fork.
• Remove the pork from the oven and shred it with a fork.
• Add the shredded pork to the roasting pan and mix with the liquids.

Keyword boston butt crock pot, pork loin, pulled pork

Tips & Tricks for Pulled Pork Recipe

Feel free to experiment with different BBQ seasonings and sauces. Lemon pepper and spicy barbeque are both excellent options. Try making your spice rub as well; your favorite ingredients can take this BBQ pulled pork dish to the next level.

You can use several different cuts of pork for this recipe. The best is the front shoulder cut of pork. Butchers often call this a pork butt or Boston butt. A lower-quality cut that also works is the pork shoulder or Picnic roast. Most grocery stores will have these cuts in stock.

For pulled pork sandwiches, try serving it on a brioche bun with coleslaw and pickles for added crunch and flavor.

It is easy to store leftovers from this fantastic shredded pork recipe. Once the meat has cooled to room temperature, put it in a glass container with a tight lid. You want to avoid using plastic because the oil will stain the container. You can save it in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. You can warm it up in the microwave or the oven, but the best way is to pan-fry it. The result will be extra crispy and delicious. Leftover pulled pork can also be used in salads, pasta dishes, and pizza toppings.

You can also freeze leftover pork. After it has cooled, put it in a freezer-safe bag and remove as much air as possible. If stored correctly, it will last up to six months. It would be best if you defrosted it entirely in the refrigerator before reheating it.

Try using pulled pork in tacos or quesadillas for a twist on traditional Mexican fare.

If the pulled pork seems dry, add more chicken broth or BBQ sauce during cooking or serving.

Nutrition Information of Pulled Pork Recipe

One serving (3 ounces) of pulled pork has approximately 190 calories, 10 grams of fat, and 22 grams of protein. It also contains a good amount of B vitamins, iron, and potassium.

Conclusion

Pulled pork is a delicious and versatile option for your next gathering or meal. With this easy pulled pork recipe, you can impress everyone with your amazing cooking skills. You can cook your Boston Butt in the crock pot or in the oven. The possibilities are endless with pulled pork – get creative and enjoy!

What is your favorite way to serve pulled pork? Let us know in the comments below!