Mildly Spicy Pop Pulled Pork
Elevate your next meal with this irresistible Mildly Spicy Pop Pulled Pork recipe, a perfect balance of smoky spices, subtle sweetness, and tender, juicy pork. This slow-cooked masterpiece combines a rub of brown sugar, paprika, and a hint of cayenne with the unexpected addition of cola, infusing the pork with a unique depth of flavor and creating a succulent texture that melts in your mouth. Ideal for busy days, the slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with perfectly shredded pork that pairs beautifully with your favorite barbecue sauce. Serve it on soft hamburger buns, sliders, or alongside your go-to side dishes for a dinner everyone will crave. Perfect for family gatherings, tailgates, or weeknight indulgence, this recipe is the ultimate combination of ease, flavor, and versatility.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Pork shoulder (bone-in or boneless)
- 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1.5 tablespoons Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 can Cola (not diet soda, use regular)
- 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
- 1.5 cups Barbecue sauce (your favorite, for serving)
- 8 pieces Hamburger buns or sliders (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder, but leave a thin layer to ensure moisture during cooking.
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, ensuring an even coat on all sides. Allow to rest for 30 minutes (or cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours for deeper flavor).
Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Pour the can of cola and apple cider vinegar around the pork without washing off the spice rub.
Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
Once the pork is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and transfer it to a cutting board or large dish. Use two forks to shred the meat, discarding any fatty pieces.
Skim any excess fat from the liquid in the slow cooker. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix it with the juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
If desired, stir in barbecue sauce to coat the pork or serve on the side for guests to add as they like.
Serve the pulled pork on hamburger buns, sliders, or with your preferred side dishes. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
840 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 47.5 g | 61% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.6 g | 83% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 204 mg | 68% | |
| Sodium | 1265 mg | 55% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 56.9 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.9 g | ||
| Protein | 46.4 g | 93% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 113 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 5.7 mg | 31% | |
| Potassium | 892 mg | 19% | |
*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.
