Recipe for Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is a favorite of many families. As filling for a sandwich or even on its own, pulled pork makes a terrific main dish for lunch or dinner.

Recipe for Pulled Pork

Some people like to use a dry rub on their pork and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator. You can do this if you feel so inclined.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• Hardwood chips, soaked in water overnight
• 1 6 to 8 pound Boston butt
• 1 recipe for barbeque sauce (below)
• Several foil smoke packets

Instructions

1. Combine first eight ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Rub outside of pork butt with dry rub and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate overnight.
3. Remove pork from refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
4. Set up your grill for smoking (or use a smoker). You will need a lot of smoke packets, because you will be smoking the meat for at least 10 hours.
5. Drain wood chips and wrap in foil packets, cutting several slits into the top.
6. Heat grill or smoker to 210 degrees. You can do this by turning one element onto low.
7. Place one smoke packet directly next to the element.
8. Place a grill grate in the barbecue, well above the coals, and place meat on the portion of the grill not above the element. Close lid.
9. Maintain grill or smoker at a temperature of about 210 to 250 degrees.
10. Every hour, mop the meat with barbecue sauce.
11. Replace smoke packets as necessary.
12. Cook for 10 to 12 hours, until meat is very tender.
13. Pull pork apart with two forks and serve with barbecue sauce on the side.

Barbecue Sauce Recipe

Most people consider barbecue sauce to be tomato-based, but it can be vinegar-based as well. You can use any barbecue sauce that you like, but a good basic vinegar-based barbecue sauce can be made with this recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rice wine vinegar
• 2 cups apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce
• 2 teaspoons of ancho chili

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Mop the sauce on the pork as it smokes.

Sauce Alterations

You can alter this recipe to suit your taste. Other ingredients that can be included are:

• Dark brown sugar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Black pepper
• Dry mustard
• Liquid smoke

Unlike tomato-based barbecue sauces, vinegar-based sauces can and should be used during the cooking process. Barbecue sauces that have a large amount of sugar and tomato in them will burn before the food is properly cooked, leaving you with chunks of carbon rather than succulent meat.

Variations

You can make a simple pulled pork by placing country style spare ribs or Boston butt and premade barbecue sauce in a crock pot on low for about 10 hours. This makes a great, no-frills, weeknight pulled pork.

Best Cuts for Pulled Pork

The shoulder cut of pork is good for pulled pork. This cut is called the shoulder butt or the Boston butt. To make 8 to 10 servings, you will need a 6 to 8 pound butt. Bear in mind that the larger the butt you have the longer, the longer it will take to smoke.

What to Drink With Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is rich and tangy, and it calls for the perfect drink pairing. So try pairing it with beer or lemonade for a refreshing palate cleanser. If you're looking for something a little stronger, you can't go wrong when you pair tequila with foods like pulled pork and other BBQ favorites.

Legendary Pulled Pork

Legend has it that the first recipes for pulled pork were created to make the pork tender enough for people who had lost their teeth. This was in the early days of America, when dental care was less than exemplary. In those days, it was important to be able to cook a dinner that grandpa could eat without teeth. Much has changed since then, but a great sandwich made of pulled pork is still a fabulous meal.