Savory Pulled Pork Recipes

PERFECT PULLED PORK RECIPE

Steps:

• Mix well and store in an air tight container.
• Add salt to cold water and stir very well until all the salt is completely dissolved. Then add the brown sugar, dry rub, and bay leaves and stir well to combine.
• Rinse the pork shoulder and place in a large container, pour in the brine solution until the shoulder is completely covered. Cover the container and place in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.
• Remove pork shoulder from brine solution, pat dry with paper towels, place in baking pan that is bigger than the shoulder by at least a inch in length and width and at least 3 inches deep. Sprinkle dry rub onto the surface of the shoulder and massage in such that it adheres to the surface. Coat all sides. Make sure the fat layer on the shoulder is facing up before cooking! Place baking pan uncovered in a 225 degree F oven on the middle rack. Insert a probe thermometer into the center or thickest part of the shoulder, but not touching the bone. Monitor the temperature throughout cooking (a digital thermometer with an alarm function is the easiest way to do this). Do not remove from the oven until the center of the shoulder reaches 200 degrees.
• When the shoulder has reached 200 degrees, shut off the oven and let the roast cool for a couple of hours before removing from the oven. If the bottom of the pan is dry (or crusted with dried spices) then cover the pan with foil to retain internal moisture of the meat during the cooling period. When the temperature drops to 170 degrees or slightly lower, remove from oven. Place on a large, clean work surface such as a cutting board, and remove the large sheet of crusted fat on the top. Pull apart with two forks, it will pull apart very easily. Serve for friends and family!

SWEET AND SAVORY SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK

Steps:

• Place the pork shoulder roast into a large plastic bag, pour 1 cup of root beer over the meat, and squeeze out all the air from the bag. Seal the bag closed, and refrigerate 6 hours to overnight.
• The next day, mix together the light brown sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, dry mustard, onion powder, garlic salt, celery salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a bowl.
• Remove the meat from the marinade, and shake off the excess. Rub the meat all over with the spice mixture, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• Mix together the balsamic vinegar, 1 1/2 cups of root beer, whiskey, and brown sugar in a bowl, and stir until the sugar dissolves.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and sear the meat on all sides until the meat develops a brown crust, about 3 minutes per side. Place the seared meat into a slow cooker. Pour the balsamic vinegar-root beer mixture over the meat, set the slow cooker to High, and cook for 6 to 8 hours.
• Remove the roast from the slow cooker, and shred with 2 forks. Discard the bones and all but 1 cup of the liquid in the slow cooker. Return the shredded meat to the cooker, mix in the barbecue sauce, and let sit on Low until ready to serve. Serve piled on buns.

INSTANT POT PULLED PORK

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Dry the pork with paper towels. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, kosher salt, garlic powder, chili powder, black pepper, onion powder, cumin, dry mustard, and cayenne. Add the pork chunks to the bowl and toss to coat them thoroughly with the spice mixture.
• Place the trivet in the Instant Pot and add the water and vinegar. Place the seasoned pork on the trivet.
• Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the steam release valve to the sealing position. Select the pressure cook or manual button (high pressure) and set the timer to 45 minutes.
• When the time is up, allow a natural release for 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully turn the steam release valve to the venting position to release the remaining pressure.
• Drain and discard the liquids. Remove the pork to a bowl and shred it. Add 1 1/2 cups of barbecue sauce to the pork and stir to blend. Return the pork to the Instant Pot and select the lowest sauté setting. Cook the pork until it is thoroughly heated.
• Serve and enjoy.

BEST DAMN SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK

Steps:

• Cut meat into 4-6 equal sized pieces. Trim fat as desired.
• In a bowl, mix salt, pepper, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper and rub all over meat.
• Add chicken broth, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke to slow cooker and whisk it together. Place meat into slow cooker.
• Slow cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.
• Remove meat to a bowl and shred with two forks. Serve with juices from slow cooker or add your favorite BBQ sauce.

SAVORY PULLED PORK

Steps:

• Make coffee and cool with one or two ice cubes. Add soy sauce, garlic, fennel, and pepper and let sit for 15 minutes to infuse flavors. Put pork shoulder in a plastic bag with marinade and let sit overnight at least or as long as 2 days. Turn crockpot on high and add chicken broth, water, smoked salt, tabasco, and cajun shake. Let heat up while preparing pork and leeks/onions below. Remove pork shoulder from bag and discard marinade. Heat 2 Tablespoons oil in large nonstick pan over medium high heat until hot. Add pork shoulder and sear on all sides, approximately 4 minutes per side. Use caution turning with large tongs and/or BBQ fork. Once seared, remove pork and set aside to rest. If necessary add up to 2 Tablespoons olive oil to pan and add leeks and onion, stirring and scraping browned bits from pan. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened approximately 5-8 minutes. Avoid burning by managing heat, turning down if necessary as leeks and onion cook to prevent burning. Add softened leeks and onion to crockpot. Add pork on top. Turn crockpot down to low setting and let cook for 6-8 hours. Remove pork when pull-apart tender and let cool for at least 30 minutes, breaking into parts to help cool. When cool enough to handle, shred meat, discarding fat. Return meat to broth and serve. This dish does *really* well if meat is stored refrigerated overnight separate from broth. Remove congealed fat layer from broth and then reheat both meat and broth together. Serve with soft bread such as dinner rolls.

SAVORY PULLED PORK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Combine minced onion, salt, garlic powder, oregano, rosemary, caraway seeds, thyme, celery seed, cayenne pepper, and black pepper; rub mixture onto both halves of roast.
• Place meat in crock pot that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Cover and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours (do not add any liquids) or until very tender.
• Remove meat from pot and allow to cool enough to handle. Remove fat and shred meat. Strain juice from crock pot removing as much fat as desired. Add juice and shredded meat back to crock pot and re-warm.
• Serve on rolls with colelaw. May also serve mayonnaise, mustard and onion relish. Kids will like it plain.
• ***Money / time-saving tips -- buy the spices at dollar stores (or discount or whatever), approximately same size. 3 = a tablespoon, 2 = 2 teaspoons, etc. The 1/4 tsp cayenne, just get a little one from the grocery store. Mix all in a big bucket that seals and save for whenever you want to make this. Use one tablespoon + per pound. I wrote these directions right on top of the spice mix bucket. . .