This recipe will guide you through the steps to make tender and flavorful pulled pork. The meat is slow-cooked to perfection and then shredded, resulting in juicy and succulent pork that is perfect for sandwiches or as a main dish. With a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can create a crowd-pleasing meal that will impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork shoulder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons black pepper
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- Hamburger buns, for serving
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper to make a dry rub.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Place the pork shoulder in a large roasting pan or Dutch oven, fat side up.
- Cover the pan tightly with foil or a lid and place it in the preheated oven.
- Slow-cook the pork shoulder for 6-7 hours, or until it is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- Once the pork shoulder is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Using two forks, shred the pork shoulder into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the barbecue sauce over medium heat.
- Add the shredded pork to the skillet and stir until it is well coated with the sauce.
- Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes, until the pork is heated through.
- Remove from heat and let the pulled pork cool slightly before serving.
- Serve the pulled pork on hamburger buns, topped with additional barbecue sauce if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious and tender pulled pork!
Interesting Facts
Pulled pork is a traditional American barbecue dish commonly served in the Southern and Midwestern regions.
The slow-cooking process allows the pork to become tender and flavorful as the fat breaks down.
Pulled pork can be made using different cuts of pork, but the pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) is the most commonly used.