Hard Rock Cafe Pulled Pork Copycat
Recreate the iconic flavors of Hard Rock Cafe in your own kitchen with this irresistible Pulled Pork Copycat recipe. Featuring tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder seasoned with a smoky-sweet spice rub and infused with the tang of apple cider vinegar, this dish delivers melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The pork is shredded and simmered in your favorite barbecue sauce for a saucy, flavorful finish that's perfect for piling onto soft sandwich buns. Serve it with crisp coleslaw for a classic touch that balances the richness of the pulled pork. Ideal for family dinners, game day, or backyard gatherings, this recipe is a must-try for barbecue enthusiasts looking to capture restaurant-quality flavor at home. "Hard Rock Cafe Pulled Pork Copycat," "slow-cooked pulled pork," and "homemade BBQ sandwich recipe" are just a few keywords to highlight this mouthwatering classic!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Pork shoulder (bone-in or boneless)
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1 cup Apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1.5 cups Barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke (optional, for smoky flavor)
- 8 pieces Sandwich buns (for serving)
- 2 cups Coleslaw (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Trim any excess fat off the pork shoulder and pat it dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, mix together the salt, ground black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar to form a spice rub.
Rub the spice mixture generously over the entire pork shoulder, ensuring it is evenly coated.
Place the seasoned pork shoulder into a slow cooker.
Pour the apple cider vinegar and chicken broth around the pork in the slow cooker. Add liquid smoke if using.
Set the slow cooker to low heat and cook for 8 hours, until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a large cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat into small pieces.
Skim any excess fat from the cooking liquid in the slow cooker. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix it with the cooking liquid.
Stir in the barbecue sauce, ensuring the pork is fully coated. Allow the pork to cook on low for an additional 30 minutes to absorb the flavor.
To serve, pile the pulled pork onto sandwich buns. Add coleslaw on top if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
974 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 54.3 g | 70% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.5 g | 87% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 207 mg | 69% | |
| Sodium | 1612 mg | 70% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 72.3 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.3 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 32.6 g | ||
| Protein | 48.2 g | 96% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 140 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 5.7 mg | 32% | |
| Potassium | 1032 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
