Perfect Pulled Pork

Perfect Pulled Pork is a slow cook recipe that is ideal for sandwiches, main dishes, bbq’s and more. I add barbecue sauce when its time to serve it but any sauce will do. This pork with out sauce is ideal as a Sunday roast or midweek tacos. I often set this slow cooking when I go to work and have an amazing supper on my return.

Perfect pulled pork is a culinary masterpiece that brings the rich, smoky flavours of barbecue straight to your table. This dish, known for its tender and succulent meat, is a favourite at gatherings, family dinners and cookouts. This is mainly due to its irresistible taste and versatile nature.

The body of this recipe is a blend of simple yet powerful ingredients that work together. This combination creates a depth of flavour that’s hard to beat. One of the key components is a bottle of beer. The beer is a tenderising agent, breaking down the meat fibres and infusing the pork with a subtle, malty sweetness. This not only enhances the flavour but also ensures that the pork becomes fall-apart tender during the long cooking process.

Paprika is another essential ingredient, providing a smoky, slightly sweet undertone that complements the pork beautifully. It’s often combined with onion powder and garlic powder to create a robust spice rub. The onion powder adds a savoury depth, while the garlic powder brings a rich, aromatic quality to the dish. These spices work in harmony to create a flavourful crust on the pork as it cooks, sealing in the juices and ensuring every bite is packed with taste.

Of course, no pulled pork would be complete without a generous helping of barbecue sauce. This sauce, with its perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavours, is the final touch that elevates the dish to perfection. As the pork cooks, the barbecue sauce caramelises, creating a sticky, flavourful coating that is simply irresistible. I prepare my own sauce but if you have a favourite then use that.

One of the joys of perfect pulled pork is its versatility. It can be served in a variety of ways, making it a favourite for many different meals. Pile it high on a soft, fluffy bun for a classic pulled pork sandwich, complete with coleslaw for added crunch. Serve it over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes or alongside cornbread and baked beans for a hearty, comforting dinner. It also makes a fantastic topping for nachos, adding a smoky, meaty element to the cheesy, crunchy chips.

Pulled pork is not just about the flavour; it’s also about the experience. The process of slow-cooking the pork, whether in a slow cooker, an oven, or a smoker, allows the meat to absorb all the wonderful flavours from the spices, beer, and barbecue sauce. The anticipation builds as the tantalising aroma fills your kitchen, promising a meal that is well worth the wait.

In summary, perfect pulled pork is a dish that combines simple ingredients to create a complex and deeply satisfying flavour profile. The use of beer, paprika, barbecue sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder ensures that the pork is tender, juicy, and full of flavour. Whether you’re serving it at a casual cookout or a cosy family dinner, this dish is sure to impress and delight.

Perfect Pulled Pork

A recipe that provides meat for several meals.

4.64 from 138 votes

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Course: BBQ, Main Dish, Sandwiches, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Alcohol, Perfect Pulled Pork, Pork, Sauce, Slow Cooker, Spice

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 hours hours

Total Time: 10 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 Portions

Calories: 141kcal

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Ingredients

 

MetricImperial

• 4 lbs pork shoulder butt
• 1 bottle beer standard
• 12 oz barbecue sauce your choice
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 ½ tsp paprika
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

• Season the pork with onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper and massage it into the flesh.
  1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 ½ tsp paprika, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp ground black pepper
• Place the pork shoulder/butt into the slow cooker.
  4 lbs pork shoulder
• Pour the beer around the side of the pork so the seasoning stays on the pork.
  1 bottle beer
• Put the lid on and cook on high for 60 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and leave to cook for 8 – 9 hours. The meat should be moist and full apart with a gentle pull.
• Remove the pork from the cooker and place on a large plate. Using two forks, pull the pork apart discarding any fatty bits.
• When you are ready to serve, heat the pork in a pan and add the barbecue sauce or similar and warm thoroughly.
  12 oz barbecue sauce
• Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 563mg | Potassium: 295mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 145IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg