Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Main
Homii

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  • Prep20m
  • Cook480m
Total time
8h 20m
Cook at
300°F
Internal temp
200°F
Prep
20 min
Cook
8h
Recipe written for 8 servings

Dry Rub

Main

Braising Liquid

Main

Coleslaw

Coleslaw Dressing

Main

Uses your kitchen

Broiler

Oven

Stovetop

Cookware

Dutch Oven

Pot

Skillet

Fridge

5 days

Freezer

90 days

Reheat

StovetopMicrowaveOven
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4 lb bone-in pork shoulder also called pork butt; trimmed of excess fat

Slow cooker pork shoulder

480–600 min200°F

Methods

Optional finish

More options
Step by step

Instructions

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In a small mixing bowl, combine the 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried mustard, and ½ tsp cayenne pepper. Mix well until evenly blended.

Uses

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Brown Sugar
  • Paprika
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • 30 min

Pat the 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder completely dry with paper towels. This helps the rub stick and promotes a better crust. Rub the spice mixture all over every surface of the bone-in pork shoulder, pressing it in firmly. For best results, do this the night before and refrigerate uncovered — but even 30 minutes at room temperature makes a difference.

Uses

  • Pork Shoulder
  • Dry Mustard
  • 3–4 min
  • 300°F
  • Medium-high

Preheat your oven to 300°F. Heat the 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, sear the 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder on all sides until deeply browned, about 3–4 minutes per side. Don't rush this step — the sear builds flavor. Remove the 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder and set aside.

Uses

  • Oven
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Pork Shoulder

Pour the ½ cup apple cider vinegar, ½ cup chicken broth, and 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce into the Dutch oven. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon — that's pure flavor. Return the seared 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder to the pot, fat-side up. Spoon half the BBQ sauce over the top of the bone-in pork shoulder.

Uses

  • Dutch Oven
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Chicken Broth
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Pork Shoulder
  • Barbecue Sauce
  • 420–480 min

Cover the Dutch oven tightly with its lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 7–8 hours, until the 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder is completely fall-apart tender and an internal thermometer reads at least 200°F. The bone should wiggle freely and pull out cleanly.

Uses

  • Dutch Oven
  • Pork Shoulder
  • 15 min

Carefully remove the 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder from the Dutch oven and place on a large cutting board. Let it rest for 15 minutes — this makes it easier to handle and juicier. Using two forks (or your hands with heat-safe gloves), shred the meat, discarding any large pieces of fat or the bone.

Uses

  • Dutch Oven
  • Cutting Board
  • Pork Shoulder

Skim any excess fat from the surface of the braising liquid in the pot. Return the shredded 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder to the pot and stir in the remaining half cup of grill sauce. Toss everything together so the 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder is coated and soaks up the juices. Taste and adjust seasoning with 1 tbsp kosher salt if needed.

Uses

  • Pork Shoulder
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Barbecue Sauce
  • Salt

While the 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder rests, make the coleslaw. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp celery seed, 1 tbsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper until smooth.

Uses

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Pork Shoulder
  • Mayonnaise
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Sugar
  • Celery Seed
  • 15 min

Add the shredded 4 cups green cabbage finely shredded, 1 cup red cabbage finely shredded, and 1 cup carrots to the dressing. Toss well until everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving so the flavors meld and the slaw softens slightly.

Uses

  • Cabbage
  • Red Cabbage
  • Carrot
  • 1–2 min

Toast the 8 brioche hamburger buns cut-side down in a dry skillet or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden. Pile a generous heap of pulled 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder onto the bottom bun, top with a big scoop of coleslaw, add 8 slices dill pickle chips if using, and finish with extra 1 cup BBQ sauce. Add the top bun and serve immediately.

Uses

  • Skillet
  • Broiler
  • Brioche Burger Bun
  • Dry Mustard
  • Pork Shoulder
  • Dill Pickle
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Barbecue Sauce
Per serving

Nutrition facts

Estimated for one serving as written. Scale with Serving size in the sidebar for your batch.

620

Cal

Protein

42 g

28%

Carbs

52 g

34%

Fat

26 g

38%