Alton Browns Pulled Pork Recipes

PULLED PORK SHOULDER

Steps:

• Combine ingredients for the brine.
• Place the pork roast into the brine, making sure it is submerged, and refrigerate for 10-12 hours, or overnight.
• Using a spice mill or mortar and pestle, grind ingredients for the spice rub into a fine powder.
• At the appropriate time, drain the pork roast from the brine and pat dry with paper toweling.
• Apply the spice rub to the pork roast, massaging it in, using gloves if desired to keep the rub from sticking to your fingers.
• Mix together ingredients for mop/baste and set aside.
• Prepare smoker or grill.
• When the smoker/grill temperature has reduced to 210F, add the pork roast, cover grill, and cook for approximately 10 hours, or until internal temperature has reached 165-190°F.
• Do not exceed 190F for an internal temperature in the meat or it will be dry.
• Maintain smoker/grill temperature of 210F throughout cooking time (you may add soaked wood chips to the coals occasionally, if desired).
• During the last hour or so of cooking, brush on mop liberally, about every 15 minutes or so.
• When the pork is cooked, it should be tender enough that sticking it with a fork loosens the meat easily.
• The roast will appear dark (it's what is called a"bark") when fully cooked.
• Allow pork roast to"rest" for 45 minutes to an hour before pulling (try not to pick at it and eat all of it before you get a chance to pull it!).
• To pull, use your fingers or 2 forks to shred meat on a cutting board.
• To make a sandwich, thin your preferred barbecue sauce and toss with meat in a bowl.
• Place meat on a bun/roll with some cole slaw (if desired).
• May also just eat off the plate, no sandwich.
• You'll find yourself grabbing pieces to munch on anyway.

BARBECUE PORK BUTT

Steps:

• Place the water, salt and molasses in a large 12-quart container and stir until the salt dissolves. Add the pork butt to the brine and weigh down with a zip top bag filled with 2 cups of the brine to make sure it is completely submerged in the brine.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove the pork from the brine, and pat dry.
• Heat the smoker to 225 degrees F. Add the wood chunks, and place the pork into the smoker. Cook until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees F, 4 to 5 hours.
• Once the meat reaches 140 degrees F, heat the oven to 300 degrees F. Wrap the pork in aluminum foil and transfer to a half sheet pan. Place on the center rack and cook until the pork reaches an internal temperature of at least 200 degrees F and is tender and pulling apart easily, 3 to 5 hours. Remove from the oven and rest, covered for 30 minutes before serving.