Description
Smoky Pulled Pork brings Southern comfort straight to your kitchen, promising tender meat infused with robust barbecue flavors. Minimal prep and slow cooking guarantee a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3.4 pounds pork shoulder (or pork butt)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (plus more for serving)
- ½ cup chicken broth (or apple juice)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional, for spice)
Instructions
- Transform the pork roast by generously massaging it with a robust blend of smoky spices, creating a flavorful exterior that will infuse deep, complex flavors during slow cooking.
- Nestle the seasoned meat into the slow cooker, then cascade tangy Worcestershire sauce, crisp apple cider vinegar, rich chicken broth, and sweet brown sugar around the protein, allowing these liquid companions to tenderize and elevate the meat’s natural qualities.
- After the prolonged, gentle cooking process, carefully extract the meat and deconstruct it using two forks, pulling the muscle fibers apart into succulent, delicate strands, ensuring any unnecessary fatty sections are discarded.
- Lavish the shredded pork with a generous coating of smoky barbecue sauce, then return it to the slow cooker’s warm embrace, permitting the meat to absorb and meld with the sauce’s rich, complex flavors for a brief interlude.
- Present the pulled pork as a versatile culinary canvas – nestled within toasted artisan buns, tucked into warm tortillas, or cascading over fluffy rice, accompanied by additional barbecue sauce for those craving an extra flavor punch.
Notes
- Trim visible fat before seasoning to reduce greasiness and enhance meat’s flavor absorption.
- Select pork shoulder or Boston butt for optimal tenderness and rich marbling, ensuring juicy results.
- Customize spice blend by adjusting heat levels with more or less chili powder, catering to personal preference.
- Allow meat to rest in sauce after shredding to maximize flavor penetration and moisture retention.
- Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for quick meal prep, maintaining quality for up to 3 months.
- Use sugar-free BBQ sauce for low-carb diets or swap with homemade sauce to control ingredients.
- Enhance protein intake by serving over cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly alternative to traditional buns.
- Consider using a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 195°F for perfect pull-apart texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg