Pulled Pork with a Kick
Get ready to elevate your BBQ game with "Pulled Pork with a Kick"—a mouthwatering recipe that combines fall-apart tender pork with bold, spicy flavors. This crowd-pleasing dish features a perfectly seasoned pork shoulder slow-cooked to perfection in a blend of apple cider vinegar and smoky spices, like chili powder and cayenne, for a subtle heat that lingers. A generous slathering of tangy BBQ sauce—and an optional splash of hot sauce—takes the flavor to the next level. Whether served on soft hamburger buns with a crisp coleslaw topping or as part of a hearty platter, this easy-to-make pulled pork is ideal for everything from backyard gatherings to cozy family dinners. With just 20 minutes of prep and a slow cooker doing most of the work, "Pulled Pork with a Kick" will quickly become your go-to recipe for indulgent, stress-free comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 lbs Pork shoulder (bone-in or boneless)
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Paprika
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 0.5 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- 0.5 cup Apple cider vinegar
- 0.5 cup Water
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)
- 2 tbsp Hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
- 8 count Hamburger buns or slider rolls (optional, for serving)
- 1 cup Coleslaw (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder, but leave some for flavor and moisture.
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and chili powder to create the dry rub.
Rub the spice mixture evenly all over the pork shoulder, ensuring it is fully coated.
Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker or a roasting pan if using an oven.
Pour the apple cider vinegar and water around the pork shoulder, not directly over it, to preserve the rub.
Cover and cook the pork on low heat in the slow cooker for 8 hours, or at 300°F (150°C) in the oven for approximately 6-7 hours, until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
Once the pork is done, transfer it to a large plate or cutting board and shred it with two forks, discarding any excess fat or bone.
Skim off any fat from the cooking liquid in the slow cooker or roasting pan, then return the shredded pork back to the liquid.
Stir in the BBQ sauce and hot sauce (if using), mixing well to coat the pork evenly.
Allow the pork to heat through for an additional 15 minutes on low heat.
Serve the pulled pork piled high on hamburger buns or slider rolls, topped with coleslaw if desired, for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
840 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 50.1 g | 64% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.0 g | 85% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 206 mg | 69% | |
| Sodium | 1291 mg | 56% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 49.0 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 23.0 g | ||
| Protein | 46.0 g | 92% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 119 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 5.3 mg | 29% | |
| Potassium | 923 mg | 20% | |
*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.
