Pulled Pork

Posted in Comfort Food
Pulled Pork
Pulled Pork is low-effort comfort food: rub the pork with smoky spices, cook it slowly until it falls apart, then toss with a tangy sauce and pile it onto buns, bowls, tacos, or plates.

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne, optional
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce, plus more for serving

Instructions

  1. Season the Pork: Mix the brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne if using. Rub all over the pork.

  2. Set Up the Cooker: Place the sliced onion in a slow cooker or Dutch oven. Add the vinegar, stock, and Worcestershire sauce, then set the pork on top.

  3. Cook: Cook on low in a slow cooker for 8-10 hours, or covered in a 300°F oven for about 4-5 hours, until the pork shreds easily.

  4. Shred: Transfer the pork to a board and shred with forks. Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid.

  5. Sauce: Toss the pork with barbecue sauce and enough cooking liquid to keep it juicy.

  6. Serve: Serve on buns with coleslaw and pickles, or use in tacos, rice bowls, nachos, or baked potatoes.

The Crock Pot Dinner That Takes Care of Itself

I have been making pulled pork for years because it is one of the easiest ways to make dinner feel like it handled itself. Set it up in the morning in the crock pot, leave it during the day, and by dinner time the house smells delicious.

The pork should be tender enough to shred easily, with enough cooking juices to stay moist after it is pulled.

Tips and Variations

  • Serve on buns with coleslaw, pickles, barbecue sauce, and chips.
  • Use it for tacos, nachos, rice bowls, baked potatoes, or breakfast hash.
  • Add more vinegar for tang, more brown sugar for sweetness, or chipotle for smoke and heat.
  • Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days or freeze in small portions.

Nutrition Facts

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Servings Per Recipe: 10
  • Calories: 430

% Daily Value

  • Total Fat: 24g (31% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 8g (40% DV)
  • Cholesterol: 125mg (42% DV)
  • Sodium: 860mg (37% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrates: 13g (5% DV)
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
  • Total Sugars: 10g
  • Protein: 38g
  • Vitamin A: 80mcg (9% DV)
  • Vitamin C: 6mg (7% DV)
  • Calcium: 60mg (5% DV)
  • iron: 3mg (17% DV)

Note: The “% Daily Value” (DV) 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.

Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients and preparation.