BBQ pulled pork is tender, juicy pork shoulder coated in a dry rub and slow cooked in flavorful apple cider. Melt in your mouth tender, coated in sweet and tangy barbecue sauce and topped with mom’s coleslaw.
Our must-have pulled pork recipe is perfect for potlucks, picnics, gameday and Sunday supper. Takes minutes to prep and slow cooks in the oven.
Pulled pork is easy to make, slow-cooks in the oven and a family friendly dinner. Leftovers are great for tacos, nachos, pulled pork quesadillas, and mac and cheese.
Mom’s coleslaw is delicious with BBQ pulled pork. Be sure and try baked beans, twice baked potatoes, Southern potato salad and scalloped potatoes.
Why this recipe works
- Versatile – It’s economical, easy to prepare and the whole family will enjoy it.
- Simple ingredients – Uses ingredients readily available at your local grocery store.
- Crowd-pleaser – This easy meal idea is perfect for feeding a crowd on gameday or for Sunday supper.
What you’ll need
- Pork – Boneless pork shoulder or pork butt. Bone-in pork shoulder will also work.
- Onions – White or yellow onions add flavor and caramelize as they slow cook around the pork.
- Apple cider – Used as a braising liquid around the pork, which helps tenderize, sweeten and add flavor. Located in the refrigerated section in the produce section of grocery stores. Fresh apple juice will also work, which is in the refrigerated section with other juices.
- Mustard – Mustard acts as a binder, helping seasoning stick, adds flavor and adds moisture. Yellow, Dijon or stone-ground mustard will work.
- Brown sugar – Adds a sweetness of sugar and molasses.
- Spices – Simple spices including; onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper.
- Barbecue sauce – Drizzle with your favorite store-bought brand or make homemade barbecue sauce.
How to make BBQ pulled pork
- Prepare the pork – Trim any excess fat, place into the Dutch oven fat side up and spread with mustard.
- Sprinkle with seasonings – Combine brown sugar and spices in a small bowl. Sprinkle seasonings on top of the mustard layer. Use your hands if needed to press spice mixture to sides of the pork shoulder.
- Add onions & apple cider – Add sliced onions around the pork. Carefully pour apple cider into the pan.
- Cover & slow cook – Cover with aluminum foil or lid of Dutch oven and slow cook in the oven for 3 hours. Remove the lid and continue to cook until the pork is tender and pulls apart easily.
BBQ pulled pork pairs wonderfully with baked mac and cheese or served on brioche rolls. Be sure and serve a few bread and butter pickles or refrigerator dill pickles with it!
More easy dinner ideas
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BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 1 (4-5 pounds) boneless pork shoulder (or pork butt)
- 2-3 tablespoons stone-ground mustard (Yellow or Dijon)
- ⅓ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika or smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 cup apple cider or apple juice from refrigerated juice section
- 1 large white or yellow onion sliced
- Prepared barbeque sauce for drizzling
- Kaiser, hard rolls, brioche rolls or hamburger buns for serving
- Coleslaw for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Trim any excess fat. Combine the brown sugar and spices in a small bowl.
- In a roasting pan or Dutch oven, place the pork fat side up. Spread the mustard across the top of the loin. Sprinkle with brown sugar and spice mixture.
- Add the onion slices around the pork and pour the apple cider into the pan. Cover the pan with aluminum foil or lid of Dutch oven and slow cook for 3 hours.
- Remove the aluminum foil or lid and continue to cook for an additional 1-2 hours, until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. Occasionally baste the pork with the pan juices.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes. Then use 2 forks to pull the pork into shreds. Mix the pulled pork with the pan juices, and let the meat absorb them.
- Drizzle with your favorite barbeque sauce and toss to combine. Serve topped with coleslaw on Kaiser rolls.
- Store an leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
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Seanna says
Wow! This pulled pork recipe is a keeper! Classic flavors all the way and super tender! Pinning this one to save!