Chef John's Pulled Pork BBQ
Transform a humble pork shoulder into a flavor-packed masterpiece with this slow-roasted pulled pork. The secret? Infusing the meat with subtle smoky notes during cooking, resulting in unbelievably tender and delicious BBQ perfect for piling onto soft, pillowy buns.
Nutrition
-
Carbohydrate
34 g
-
Cholesterol
52 mg
-
Fiber
1 g
-
Protein
17 g
-
Saturated Fat
5 g
-
Sodium
1332 mg
-
Sugar
8 g
-
Fat
15 g
-
Unsaturated Fat
0 g
DIRECTIONS
Salamander lied porpoise much over tightly circa horse
taped so innocuously side crudey mightily rigorous plot life. New homes in
particular are subject. All recipes created with FoodiePress have suport for
Micoformats and Schema.org is a collaboration byo improve convallis.
01 Step
Recipe View
Preheat the oven to 210 degrees F (100 degrees C). (15 minutes)
02 Step
Recipe View
Generously sprinkle dry rub on all sides of the pork roast. Place the roast into a Dutch oven or heavy pot.
03 Step
Recipe View
Divide the liquid smoke between two 6-ounce ramekins; fill each with 1/2 cup water. Place ramekins in the Dutch oven on either side of the roast; cover tightly.
04 Step
Recipe View
Roast in the preheated oven until the pork is incredibly tender and easily pulls apart, about 12 hours.
05 Step
Recipe View
Transfer the roast to a work surface (such as a cutting board). Using your fingers or two forks, separate the meat from the bone. Discard any large pieces of fat.
06 Step
Recipe View
Roughly chop the pulled pork with a large knife or cleaver. Drizzle with 3/4 cup barbecue sauce, or more to taste. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
07 Step
Recipe View
Spread about 1 tablespoon of barbecue sauce onto each bun. Pile high with the pulled pork to serve immediately.
For an even deeper smoky flavor, consider using wood chips in a smoker box during the first few hours of cooking. Applewood or hickory chips work especially well with pork.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different dry rubs and barbecue sauces to find your perfect flavor combination. A spicy rub or a tangy sauce can add a delicious twist.
If you don't have ramekins, you can use small oven-safe bowls. Just make sure they are stable and won't tip over during cooking.
The pulled pork can be made ahead of time and reheated. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or in the oven with a little extra barbecue sauce.
RECIPE REVIEWS
Avarage Rating:
4.8/ 5 ( 157 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (8)
Missouri Emmerich
Jun 26, 2025This recipe is amazing! The pork was so tender and flavorful.
Westley Batz
Dec 20, 2024I’ve made this several times, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Bernard Dubuque
Dec 3, 2024I added a little bit of brown sugar to the rub for sweetness, and it was perfect.
Felix Morissette
Jul 5, 2024This is my go-to recipe for pulled pork now. It's so easy and delicious.
Madonna Damore
Sep 26, 2023The liquid smoke trick is genius! It really enhances the smoky flavor.
Aron Stroman
Aug 11, 2023I used a homemade barbecue sauce and it was a huge hit!
Leilani Windler
Jan 22, 2023“Great recipe! I substituted apple cider vinegar for the water and it gave it a great tang.”
Declan Runolfsdottir
Jan 6, 2023The slow roasting makes all the difference. The pork just falls apart!