North Carolina-Style Barbecue Pulled Pork

  • Prepare the Rub:
    • In a small bowl, combine paprika, light brown sugar, celery salt, garlic salt, dry mustard, black pepper, onion powder, and salt.
    • Rub the seasoning mix evenly over the entire pork roast. Cover and refrigerate overnight for maximum flavor.
  • Preheat and Prepare for Cooking:
    • Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
    • Place the pork roast in a large disposable aluminum roasting pan.
  • Prepare the Basting Marinade:
    • In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and liquid hickory smoke.
    • Pour the basting marinade over the pork roast, ensuring it’s well coated.
    • Cover the pan with aluminum foil.
  • Cook the Pork Roast:
    • Oven Method: Roast for approximately 4 1/2 hours, or until the pork becomes tender enough to start “pulling” away. Turn the pork every hour and baste every 30 minutes.
    • Grill Method: Alternatively, cook the pork over white-hot coals, covered, for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, basting and turning frequently.
  • Pull the Pork:
    • Once the pork is tender, transfer it to a cutting board.
    • Drain any excess juices from the pan.
    • Slice the roast, then pull the meat apart, trimming any fat, and return the pulled pork to the roasting pan.
  • Prepare the BBQ Sauce:
    • In a large bowl, mix cider vinegar, water, ketchup, dark brown sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes.
    • Pour the sauce over the pulled pork, stirring to ensure the pork is fully coated. Cover with aluminum foil.
  • Finish Cooking:
    • Place the pan back in the oven (still at 325°F) or on the grill.
    • Cook for an additional 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to ensure the pork remains moist and the flavors meld together.
Reviews

Ingredients:

Adjust Servings
2cups apple cider vinegar
3pounds pork shoulder boneless
0.75cup firmly-packed brown sugar dark
2teaspoons butter
0.5teaspoon celery salt
0.5teaspoon mustard dry
0.5teaspoon garlic salt
1.5teaspoons ground pepper black
0.6666667cup ketchup
2teaspoons brown sugar light
3tablespoons liquid hickory smoke
0.5teaspoon onion powder
3teaspoons pepper flakes red, crushed
12servings salt
1cups water

Directions

1.
Prepare the Rub
1. In a small bowl, combine paprika, light brown sugar, celery salt, garlic salt, dry mustard, black pepper, onion powder, and salt. | 2. Rub the seasoning mix evenly over the entire pork roast. Cover and refrigerate overnight for maximum flavor.
Mark as complete
2.
Preheat and Prepare for Cooking
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). | 2. Place the pork roast in a large disposable aluminum roasting pan.
Mark as complete
3.
Prepare the Basting Marinade
1. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and liquid hickory smoke. | 2. Pour the basting marinade over the pork roast, ensuring it’s well coated. | 3. Cover the pan with aluminum foil.
Mark as complete
4.
Cook the Pork Roast
1. Oven Method: Roast for approximately 4 1/2 hours, or until the pork becomes tender enough to start "pulling" away. Turn the pork every hour and baste every 30 minutes. | 2. Grill Method: Alternatively, cook the pork over white-hot coals, covered, for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, basting and turning frequently.
Mark as complete
5.
Pull the Pork
1. Once the pork is tender, transfer it to a cutting board. | 2. Drain any excess juices from the pan. | 3. Slice the roast, then pull the meat apart, trimming any fat, and return the pulled pork to the roasting pan.
Mark as complete
6.
Prepare the BBQ Sauce
1. In a large bowl, mix cider vinegar, water, ketchup, dark brown sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes. | 2. Pour the sauce over the pulled pork, stirring to ensure the pork is fully coated. Cover with aluminum foil.
Mark as complete
7.
Finish Cooking
1. Place the pan back in the oven (still at 325°F) or on the grill. | 2. Cook for an additional 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to ensure the pork remains moist and the flavors meld together.
Mark as complete

Share Your Thoughts