Pull Apart Pork
Sink your teeth into this tender and flavorful Pull Apart Pork, a melt-in-your-mouth dish perfect for weeknight dinners or backyard gatherings. This recipe starts with a generously seasoned pork shoulder, coated in a smoky and sweet rub featuring paprika, brown sugar, and a hint of cayenne for optional heat. Slowly cooked to perfection in a slow cooker or Dutch oven with apple cider vinegar and chicken broth, the pork becomes irresistibly tender, making it easy to shred with a fork. Serve this juicy pulled pork as is, mix it with barbecue sauce for added tang, or stack it high on hamburger buns for the ultimate sandwich. With minimal prep time and a rich, savory payoff, this dish is as convenient as it is crowd-pleasing. Perfectly paired with coleslaw, crispy fries, or baked beans, this slow-cooked pork shoulder recipe will become a favorite at any meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 lbs Pork shoulder (bone-in or boneless)
- 2 tbsp Paprika
- 3 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Onion powder
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 0.5 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 0.5 cup Apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Barbecue sauce (optional, for serving)
- 8 pieces Hamburger buns or sandwich rolls (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder, but leave a bit for flavor and moisture during cooking.
In a small bowl, combine paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well to create a spice rub.
Rub the spice mixture evenly all over the pork shoulder, ensuring every side is coated.
Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker or a large Dutch oven. Add the apple cider vinegar and chicken broth around the pork, making sure not to wash off the seasoning.
If using a slow cooker, cover with the lid and cook on low for 8 hours or until the meat is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. If using a Dutch oven, preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C), cover with a lid or foil, and cook for 6–8 hours, checking occasionally to ensure the liquid hasn't evaporated.
Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker or Dutch oven and place it on a large cutting board or tray.
Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces, discarding any large pieces of fat or bone.
Optional: Mix the shredded pork with barbecue sauce for added flavor, or serve the sauce on the side.
Serve the pulled pork on its own, or pile it onto hamburger buns or sandwich rolls for a classic pulled pork sandwich. Pair with coleslaw or your favorite side dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6832 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 389.7 g | 500% | |
| Saturated Fat | 131.4 g | 657% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1270 mg | 423% | |
| Sodium | 11299 mg | 491% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 469.5 g | 171% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25.0 g | 89% | |
| Total Sugars | 163.3 g | ||
| Protein | 384.3 g | 769% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 780 mg | 60% | |
| Iron | 37.1 mg | 206% | |
| Potassium | 6693 mg | 142% | |
*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.
