Chef John's Pulled Pork BBQ

Ingredients

• 3 pounds pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 4-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 8 hamburger buns, split and toasted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add pork cubes and toss to coat. Arrange pork in a single layer on a baking sheet.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Flip the cubes and bake for an additional hour, until pork is very tender.
4. In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Carefully transfer pork cubes to the saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pork is fully cooked and sauce has thickened.
6. Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Serve pork on toasted hamburger buns.

Interesting Facts

• Pulled pork is a classic American barbecue dish originating in the Southern United States.
• The term "pulled" refers to the technique of shredding the cooked pork with two forks.
• Pulled pork can be served on a bun, in tacos, or over rice.