Pulled Pork (Smoked)

User Reviews

4.4

14 reviews
Good
  • Prep Time

    1 d

  • Cook Time

    12 hrs

  • Additional Time

    2 hrs

  • Total Time

    1 d 14 hrs

  • Servings

    10 servings

  • Calories

    1110 kcal

  • Course

    Dinner

  • Cuisine

    American

Pulled Pork (Smoked)

This Carolina-style Smoked Pulled Pork recipe is made with a pork shoulder (aka Boston butt) in a wood smoker or pellet grill using a homemade, easy barbecue spice rub made from pantry ingredients you already have on hand.  Smoked low and slow with apple, cherry, or hickory wood, and slathered with South Carolina gold mustard BBQ sauce, this recipe makes the best pulled pork sandwiches ever!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 5-8 pounds pork butt aka Boston butt, pork shoulder, country roast, etc.

Rub

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon cumin ground
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon black pepper ground
  • 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 Tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 Tablespoon mustard powder dry

Brine

  • 8 Cups water or 1/2 apple juice and 1/2 water
  • 1/2 Cup kosher salt
  • 1/2 Cup brown sugar
  • 3 dry rub heaping tablespoons
  • 2 bay leaf

Instructions

  1. Combine all of the rub ingredients in a bowl and stir until evenly distributed.  
  2. In a large pot or extra large ziploc bag, combine the brine ingredients (including 3 tablespoons of the dry rub you just made), whisking or stirring for a minute to help the sugar and salt dissolve, then add the pork butt and seal well.  Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours. Reserve an additional 2-3 tablespoons of spice rub for sprinkling over the finished pulled pork, if desired.
  3. Remove the pork butt from the brine and pat dry. Sprinkle generously with the rub massaging it into the meat.  Let the pork butt sit for 30 to 60 minutes to take some of the chill off before placing on the smoker.
  4. Prepare the smoker by heating it and getting the smoke going until the temperature is between 225°F to 250°F.  Smoke for around 1 1/2 hours per pound until the internal temperature of the pork butt reaches 195°F to 205°F.  You can spritz the pork with apple juice from a spray bottle once an hour as it is smoking if it's looking dry on the outside, but it's not absolutely necessary. 
  5. Once the pork has finished smoking, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for 1-2 hours to redistribute the juices. You can wrap it in foil, then in towels and place it in a cooler to rest. 
  6. Pull or shred the smoked pork by hand, with forks, or using meat claws.  Remove any large chunks of fat.  If you have any leftover or reserved pork rub, I like to sprinkle a little over the pulled pork and give it a toss for even more flavor.  You can also toss the pulled pork with some barbecue sauce, if desired, before serving.
  7. Serve pulled pork on buttered and toasted buns, or all on its own with your favorite barbecue sides.  

Notes

  • Adapted from my Sweet & Spicy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving -5g Calories 1110kcal (56%) Carbohydrates 21g (7%) Protein 89g (178%) Fat 72g (111%) Saturated Fat 27g (135%) Polyunsaturated Fat 38g (224%) Cholesterol 330mg (110%) Sodium 6585mg (274%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 18g (36%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 1110 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving -5g
Calories 1110kcal 56%
Carbohydrates 21g 7%
Protein 89g 178%
Fat 72g 111%
Saturated Fat 27g 135%
Polyunsaturated Fat 38g 224%
Cholesterol 330mg 110%
Sodium 6585mg 274%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 18g 36%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

4.4

14 reviews
Good

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