Classic Pulled Pork

Classic Pulled Pork

Tender, smoky, fall-apart pulled pork slow-cooked to perfection with a bold dry rub and finished with a tangy barbecue sauce. This crowd-pleasing classic is perfect for sandwiches, sliders, tacos, or served straight off the plate. Low and slow is the name of the game — the oven or slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while your kitchen fills with irresistible aromas.

8 servings · Prep 20 min · Cook 480 min · Total 500 min

Main Course

Main

  • 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder also called pork butt or Boston butt
  • Boston butt
  • 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 8 piece brioche or potato buns toasted
  • potato buns
  • 2 cup coleslaw store-bought or homemade

Dry Rub

  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard used as a binder for the rub
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 0.5 tsp dry mustard

BBQ Sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp hot sauce such as Frank's or Tabasco
  • Tabasco

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Dutch Oven
  • Toaster Oven
  • Saucepan
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Baking Sheet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Skillet
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Paper Towel
  • Fork
  • Lid
  • Plates
  • Pan
  • Cutting Board
  • Instant-Read Thermometer
  • Saucepan (1 Quart)
  • Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
  • Dipping Fork
  • Roasting Pan
  • Meat Thermometer

Instructions

  1. In a small #[Mixing Bowl], combine all dry rub ingredients: @[Brown Sugar], @[Paprika], @[Kosher Salt], @[Black Pepper], @[Garlic Powder], @[Onion Powder], @[Cumin], @[Cayenne Pepper], and @[Dry Mustard]. Mix well until evenly combined.
  2. Pat the @[Pork Shoulder] completely dry with paper towels. Coat all sides evenly with the @[Yellow Mustard] — this acts as a binder and won't affect the flavor. Then press the dry rub generously all over every surface of the pork, including the underside and any crevices.
  3. For best results, place the rubbed @[Pork Shoulder] on a plate, cover loosely with #[Plastic Wrap], and refrigerate for at least ~[1 hour] or overnight. This allows the rub to penetrate the meat. If short on time, you can proceed immediately.
  4. Preheat your #[Oven] to ![300°F]. Place the @[Pork Shoulder] fat-side up in a large #[Dutch Oven] or deep #[Roasting Pan]. Pour the @[Apple Cider Vinegar] and @[Chicken Broth] into the bottom of the pan — this creates steam and keeps the meat moist.
  5. Cover the #[Dutch Oven] tightly with its lid (or cover the #[Roasting Pan] tightly with two layers of heavy-duty #[Aluminum Foil]). Place in the preheated #[Oven] and cook ^[low and slow] for ~[7–8 hours], until the @[Pork Shoulder] is completely fall-apart tender and an instant-read #[Meat Thermometer] reads at least %[200°F] in the thickest part.
  6. Carefully remove the @[Pork Shoulder] from the #[Oven]. Transfer it to a large #[Cutting Board] or #[Baking Sheet] and let it rest, uncovered, for ~[20–30 minutes]. Reserve the pan drippings — don't throw them away!
  7. Using two forks or your hands (once cool enough to handle), shred the @[Pork Shoulder], discarding the bone and any large pieces of fat. The meat should pull apart effortlessly. Skim the fat off the reserved pan drippings and pour a few spoonfuls back over the shredded meat to keep it moist and flavorful.
  8. While the @[Pork Shoulder] rests, make the BBQ sauce. Combine @[Ketchup], @[Apple Cider Vinegar], @[Brown Sugar], @[Worcestershire Sauce], @[Paprika], @[Garlic Powder], @[Onion Powder], and @[Hot Sauce] (if using) in a small #[Saucepan] over ^[medium heat].
  9. Stir the sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for ~[8–10 minutes], stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning — add more @[Apple Cider Vinegar] for tang, more @[Brown Sugar] for sweetness, or more @[Hot Sauce] for heat. Remove from heat.
  10. Toss the shredded @[Pork Shoulder] with as much BBQ sauce as you like — start with half and add more to taste. Serve piled high on toasted @[Brioche Buns] with @[Coleslaw] on top, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!