How to Make Delicious BBQ Pulled Pork

You don’t have to be a professional chef to create a delicious meal of BBQ pulled pork. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience, you can easily make this mouthwatering dish in the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or simply looking for a tasty meal to enjoy with your family, this guide will help you prepare the perfect BBQ pulled pork.

First and foremost, one of the most important aspects of creating BBQ pulled pork is selecting the right cut of meat. Opt for a pork shoulder or butt, which contains a good amount of fat and will result in tender, juicy meat. Next, you’ll need to give the meat enough time to soak up all the delicious flavors. This can be achieved by slow cooking it on a low heat for several hours. Once your pork is ready, all that’s left to do is shred it and add your favorite BBQ sauce. Trust me – once you try this recipe, you won’t ever have to go out for BBQ again!

The Ingredients You Need

To begin making your mouth-watering BBQ pulled pork, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Pork Shoulder:

The key element of pulled pork is, of course, the pork itself. The ideal cut is pork shoulder or “butt” because of its high fat content, which keeps the meat moist during cooking. A bone-in shoulder adds even more flavor to the dish.

Dry Rub:

To enhance the flavor of the pork, you’ll need a rub made of spices and herbs (e.g. paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, and salt). Combine them and apply generously to the meat.

Liquid:

You’ll need some kind of liquid to cook the pork in. While water or apple juice can be used, we recommend a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water for maximum flavor.

BBQ Sauce:

Lastly, you’ll need BBQ sauce to add more flavor and texture to the dish. You can use store-bought BBQ sauce or make your own by combining ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and other spices.

The Cooking Process

Now that you have all the ingredients, it’s time to start cooking. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Prepare the Meat:

Begin by removing excess fat from the pork shoulder and applying your dry rub. Be generous with the rub and ensure that every inch of the meat is covered.

2. Set up Your Grill:

Preheat your grill to 225-250°F and set it up for indirect heat using charcoal and wood chips. If you’re using a gas grill, adjust the burners to create a 2-zone setup.

3. Smoke the Pork:

Place the pork shoulder on the indirect side of the grill and close the lid. Cook the meat for 6-8 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 195-205°F. Add wood chips (apple, hickory, or pecan) every 1-2 hours to keep the smoke going.

4. Let the Pork Rest:

Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for 30 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the pork even more tender.

5. Shred the Pork:

Using forks or meat claws, shred the pork while it’s still warm. Remove any excess fat or bone.

6. Add BBQ Sauce:

Mix the shredded pork with your favorite BBQ sauce to taste. Be careful not to add too much sauce, as it can overpower the flavor of the pork.

7. Serve and Enjoy:

Serve the BBQ pulled pork on a bun, along with coleslaw, pickles, or any other BBQ sides you like. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your delicious creation!

10 Steps to Make Delicious BBQ Pulled Pork

Making BBQ pulled pork requires time and effort, but the end result is worth it. A juicy and flavorful pork that is fork-tender takes effort to achieve, but with the following steps, you’ll be able to create a fantastic meat dish that will impress your guests.

1. Choosing the Cut of Pork

There are several cuts of pork that can be used to make pulled pork. The best cut by far is the pork shoulder or pork butt, which has ample marbling and connective tissue, and after cooking slowly, it provides a melt-in-your-mouth texture. You can also use pork loin, but it won’t have as much fat, so it can tend to dry out if overcooked.

2. Preparing the Pork

The way you prepare the pork before cooking can have a massive impact on its flavor and tenderness. You should start with a dry brine recipe for 12-24 hours before cooking. This process helps to extract surface moisture, add flavor to the meat, and improve its tenderness. To make the brine, mix together salt, sugar, garlic, and any other seasonings you like and rub the mixture all over the meat.

3. Searing the Meat

After removing the pork from the brine and drying with paper towels, sear the meat on all sides in a large oven-proof Dutch oven or a cast-iron skillet. This process helps to brown the meat, which contributes flavor, and helps to lock in the juices.

4. Preparing the BBQ Sauce

BBQ sauce is an essential component of pulled pork. You can use a pre-made sauce or make your own. Making your own sauce is easy and allows you to adjust the flavor based on your preferences. A classic BBQ sauce recipe includes ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.

5. Slow Cooking the Pork

After preparing the pork and sauce, it’s time to slow cook your pork. Once the pork is seared, place it in your slow cooker or oven, pour over the BBQ sauce, and cook on low heat for around 12 hours. You can also use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the meat.

6. Resting the Pork

After you’ve cooked the pork, it’s important to let it rest for around 30 minutes before shredding it. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more flavorful and moist. During the resting period, you can keep it warm by wrapping it in foil and a towel.

7. Shredding the Pork

Once the pork has rested, it’s time to shred it. Using two forks or a Kitchen Aid stand mixer with a paddle attachment, shred the pork until it’s fully pulled. During this process, be sure to remove any fat, gristle, and bones from the meat, as simple and tender meat taste better on sandwiches.

8. Adding More Flavor

If you want to add more flavor to your BBQ pulled pork, you can mix in additional BBQ sauce or other seasonings. Some people like to add more spice with red pepper flakes, cumin, or chili powder. You can also add more sweetness with some brown sugar, honey, or molasses.

9. Serving the BBQ Pulled Pork

The best way to serve BBQ pulled pork is on a sandwich with coleslaw, pickles, and other toppings of your choice. You can also have it with baked beans, cornbread, and other southern-style sides.

10. Storing the BBQ Pulled Pork

After making all that mouth-watering meat, you might have some leftovers. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze them for up to six months. You can reheat the pulled pork in the microwave, in a hot skillet, or oven until heated through.

After following these 10 steps, you should have some delicious BBQ pulled pork that will be a hit with your family and friends. Remember – slow and steady wins the race, so be patient, and you’ll have a juicy and flavorful meat dish that will be worth the wait.

Choosing the Meat

When it comes to making BBQ pulled pork, choosing the right meat is crucial. The best cut to use is pork shoulder, also known as pork butt or Boston butt. This cut of meat is marbled with fat which will help keep it moist when cooking. The pork shoulder can be bone-in or boneless, and it’s important to choose a cut that is at least 5-6 pounds in weight to ensure there is enough meat for the recipe.

Where to Buy Pork Shoulder

Pork shoulder can be found at any local butcher or grocery store. Look for a good quality cut with plenty of marbling. If possible, choose a pasture-raised pork shoulder for the best flavor. However, if you’re on a budget, a conventionally-raised pork shoulder will still produce great results.

Preparing the Meat

Prior to cooking, it’s important to trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder. Leaving too much fat on can result in greasy, fatty bbq pulled pork. Once the fat is trimmed, season the meat generously with your favorite dry rub. Be sure to massage the rub into every nook and cranny of the meat. Then, wrap the seasoned pork shoulder tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator overnight. This will give the meat time to absorb the flavors of the rub.

Cooking the Meat

There are several methods for cooking a pork shoulder for bbq pulled pork. The most popular methods are smoking and slow cooking. Smoking the pork shoulder will impart a rich, smoky flavor to the meat but requires a bit more equipment and effort. Slow-cooking the pork shoulder in a crockpot or Dutch oven is the easiest and most convenient method.

Smoking the Meat

When smoking the pork shoulder, aim for a temperature between 225-250°F and smoke the meat for 1.5 – 2 hours per pound of meat. The total cooking time will take between 8-12 hours, depending on the weight of the pork shoulder. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. The pork shoulder is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 195-205°F.

Slow-Cooking the Meat

When slow-cooking the pork shoulder, set the temperature on low and cook for 8-10 hours or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 195-205°F. For added flavor, add a cup of BBQ sauce or apple cider vinegar to the slow-cooker.

Whichever cooking method you choose, be sure to let the meat rest for at least 15-20 minutes before shredding. This will allow the juices to settle and make the meat easier to shred.

Time to Dig In!

Now that you know how to make delicious BBQ pulled pork, it’s time to grab a fork and dig in! We hope this recipe has helped you impress your friends and family at your next backyard BBQ. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting with different rubs and cooking times until you find your perfect pulled pork recipe. Thanks for reading, and visit us again for more mouth-watering recipes. Happy cooking!