Southern Pulled Pork
Savor the irresistible flavors of authentic Southern Pulled Pork, a slow-cooked masterpiece that’s perfect for family gatherings, backyard barbecues, or weeknight dinners. This recipe starts with a tender pork shoulder, coated in a homemade spice rub featuring sweet brown sugar, smoky paprika, and a touch of heat from optional cayenne pepper. The pork is slow simmered in a tangy apple cider vinegar and mustard marinade, ensuring melt-in-your-mouth texture and bold flavor in every bite. After hours of cooking, the meat is shredded to perfection and infused with savory juices, with the option to add your favorite barbecue sauce for an extra layer of richness. Served on fluffy hamburger buns or sandwich rolls, and optionally topped with creamy coleslaw, this dish is a quintessential Southern comfort food experience. Plus, with its easy slow-cooker method, this recipe makes meal prep a breeze while delivering showstopping flavor.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 5 lbs Pork shoulder (bone-in or boneless)
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Cracked black pepper
- 0.5 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional)
- 0.5 cup Apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Yellow mustard
- 1 cup Barbecue sauce (your favorite kind)
- 6 pieces Hamburger buns or sandwich rolls (for serving)
Instructions
1. Prepare the pork shoulder by patting it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
3. Rub the spice mixture generously all over the pork shoulder, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
4. Place the seasoned pork shoulder in a slow cooker.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the apple cider vinegar and yellow mustard until combined. Pour this mixture over the pork shoulder in the slow cooker.
6. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours. The pork is done when it’s tender enough to be easily shredded with a fork.
7. Once cooked, remove the pork shoulder from the slow cooker and place it on a large cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Discard any large fat pieces or bones.
8. Pour the cooking juices from the slow cooker over the shredded pork to keep it moist and flavorful. If desired, mix in up to 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce.
9. Serve the pulled pork on hamburger buns or sandwich rolls. Optionally, top with coleslaw for a classic Southern touch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1186 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 77.6 g | 99% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.7 g | 133% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 340 mg | 113% | |
| Sodium | 1508 mg | 66% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 47.4 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.0 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 24.7 g | ||
| Protein | 73.1 g | 146% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.9 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 136 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 7.4 mg | 41% | |
| Potassium | 1376 mg | 29% | |
*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.
