Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is a classic dish made from slow-cooked pork shoulder that becomes so tender it can be easily "pulled" apart with a fork.
Ingredients
- 2–3 kg (4–6 lbs) pork shoulder (also called pork butt or Boston butt)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (plus more for serving)
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
Prepare The Pork
- Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder but leave some for flavor.
- Mix together brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Rub this spice mix all over the pork, pressing it into the meat.
Sear The Pork (Optional but Recommended)
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Sear the pork on all sides until nicely browned (2–3 minutes per side). This adds flavor
Slow Cook The Pork
- Place sliced onions and garlic at the bottom of a slow cooker (or Dutch oven).
- Add the seared pork on top.
- Pour in BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth.
Cover And cook
- Slow cooker: 8–10 hours on low or 4–6 hours on high.
- Oven: 150°C (300°F) for 4–5 hours, covered.
Shred The Pork
- Once the pork is fork-tender, remove it from the cooker.
- Use two forks to shred the meat.
- Return shredded pork to the pot and mix with the juices.
Serve
- Serve on buns, with coleslaw, in tacos, or over rice.
- Add extra BBQ sauce as desired.