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Best Pulled Pork Recipe

A close-up of a generous pile of tender pulled pork coated in rich BBQ sauce on a white plate.
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A foolproof recipe for ultra-tender shredded pork, perfect for sandwiches or platters. Learn timing for smoker, slow cooker, or oven.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5–7 pound pork shoulder (Boston butt)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat your smoker, oven, or slow cooker.
  2. Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder, leaving about a 1/4-inch layer.
  3. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). This is your dry rub for pork.
  4. Generously rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, ensuring it’s well coated.
  5. For Smoker: Place the pork shoulder directly on the smoker grate. Smoke at 225°F (107°C) for 8-12 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195-205°F (90-96°C).
  6. For Oven: Place the pork shoulder in a roasting pan. Cover tightly with foil. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 4-6 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195-205°F (90-96°C). Remove foil for the last 30 minutes if you want to crisp the exterior.
  7. For Slow Cooker: Place the pork shoulder in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 195-205°F (90-96°C).
  8. Once the pork reaches the target internal temperature, remove it from the heat source and let it rest for 15-30 minutes.
  9. Using two forks, shred the pork, discarding any large pieces of fat.
  10. Toss the shredded pork with your favorite BBQ sauce.
  11. Serve immediately on buns for pulled pork sandwiches or as a platter.

Notes

  • For meal prep, you can cook the pork ahead of time and reheat it.
  • This recipe is great for crowd feeding recipes.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mdlatdmm.com/pulled-pork-recipe-slow-cooker-oven-smoker/