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Foolproof Pulled Pork Recipe

Close-up of a bowl filled with juicy, tender pulled pork covered in barbecue sauce.
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Learn how to make ultra-tender pulled pork using your smoker, slow cooker, or oven. This recipe is perfect for sandwiches, platters, meal prep, and feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

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  • 5-pound boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder, leaving about a 1/4-inch layer.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). This is your dry rub.
  3. Generously rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
  4. For Smoker: Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C). Place the pork shoulder directly on the smoker grates. Smoke for 8-12 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195-205°F (90-96°C) and the pork is fork-tender.
  5. For Slow Cooker: Place the rubbed pork shoulder in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours, until the pork is tender and easily shreds.
  6. For Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the pork shoulder in a roasting pan. Cover tightly with foil. Roast for 4-6 hours, or until the pork is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 195-205°F (90-96°C).
  7. Once the pork is cooked and tender, remove it from the heat source. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
  8. Using two forks, shred the pork, discarding any large pieces of fat.
  9. In a bowl, toss the shredded pork with your favorite BBQ sauce. Add more sauce as needed to reach your desired consistency.
  10. Serve hot on buns for sandwiches or as a platter.

Notes

  • For meal prep, shred and sauce the pork, then store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
  • This recipe is excellent for batch cooking and can be frozen for later use.
  • Consider using a sous-vide precision cooker for perfectly tender pork before finishing it in a smoker or oven.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/pulled-pork-recipe-3-ways/