Pulled pork

There are many different recipes for pulled pork, but the dish has its origins in the American South. Pulled pork is usually made from a pork shoulder or butt roast, and the meat is cooked until it is very tender. It is then shredded or pulled apart with a fork, and the shredded pork is typically served with a barbecue sauce.

The first recorded recipe for pulled pork appeared in an 1827 cookbook from North Carolina. This early recipe called for the pork to be cooked with onions and sage, and it was served with a vinegar-based sauce.

Over the years, different regions developed their own versions of pulled pork, and the dish became a staple at barbecue restaurants and cookouts. In the 1970s, pulled pork became popular outside of the South, and it has since become a national dish.

Advice

When making pulled pork, it is important to select the right cut of meat. Choose a fatty piece of pork shoulder, as it will be more tender and easier to pull apart when cooked. Make sure to season the pork generously with salt, pepper, garlic, and other spices of your choice. Additionally, be sure to cook the pork slowly over low heat so that it can absorb all the flavors of the seasonings. Finally, once the pork is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before pulling it apart with two forks. Enjoy!

Questions

What cut of pork is best for pulled pork?

The best cut of pork for pulled pork is a pork shoulder, also known as a Boston Butt or pork butt. It has the ideal amount of fat and connective tissue to make it perfect for slow cooking and shredding into pulled pork.

What is the secret to tender pulled pork?

The secret to tender pulled pork is to cook it low and slow. Slow cooking allows the pork to become tender and juicy, while also allowing the flavors to develop. Additionally, it's important to season the pork well with a dry rub and/or marinade and allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. Finally, be sure to let the pork rest for at least 10 minutes before shredding.

How long does pulled pork take to cook?

Pulled pork usually takes 8–10 hours to cook in a slow cooker, or 3–4 hours in a smoker or oven.

What do you put on pulled pork?

This all depends on personal preference and how the pulled pork is being served. Commonly, people will put a BBQ sauce of their choice on top of the pulled pork. Other popular condiments to put on pulled pork include slaw, pickles, and onions.

What temperature is pulled pork most tender?

Pulled pork is most tender when cooked to an internal temperature of 195-203°F (90-95°C).

Is pulled pork better with bone in or out?

It really depends on personal preference. Bone-in pork is usually juicier, while boneless pork is easier to shred and mix with other ingredients.

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

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Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

  • hot sauce
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • black pepper
  • dark soda
  • onion
  • barbecue sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • sweet smoked paprika
  • salt
  • pork shoulder
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Pressure Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

  • hot sauce
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • black pepper
  • dark soda
  • onion
  • barbecue sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • sweet smoked paprika
  • salt
  • pork shoulder
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Pulled Pork with BBQ Sauce

  • apple cider vinegar
  • beer
  • water
  • paprika powder
  • cumin powder
  • black pepper
  • onion powder
  • salt
  • tabasco
  • brown sugar
  • ketchup
  • molasses
  • garlic powder
  • pork butt pork shoulder
  • mustard powder
  • worcestershire sauce
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Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork

  • onion
  • bell pepper
  • bell pepper
  • vegetable oil
  • cumin
  • flour tortilla
  • salsa
  • garlic powder
  • oregano
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • red pepper
  • barbecue sauce
  • chili powder
  • pork loin
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Chipotle Pulled Pork

  • beef broth
  • oregano
  • salt
  • oregano
  • cumin
  • jalepeno pepper
  • onion
  • chipotle
  • cilantro
  • black pepper
  • chipotle
  • pork shoulder
  • garlic
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BBQ Peach Pulled Pork

  • molasses
  • soy sauce
  • garlic powder
  • cumin
  • ginger
  • mustard
  • salt
  • onion powder
  • worcestershire sauce
  • chili powder
  • black pepper
  • peach jam
  • parsley
  • dijon mustard
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • apple cider vinegar
  • pork shoulder
  • chicken stock
  • tomato sauce
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Cajun Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

  • salt
  • pickle
  • molasses
  • apple cider vinegar
  • pork shoulder
  • ketchup
  • mayonnaise
  • creole seasoning
  • light brown sugar
  • paprika
  • links andouille sausage
  • sesame bun
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Easy Oven-Cooked Pulled Pork Recipe

  • cayenne pepper
  • bourbon
  • ketchup
  • brown mustard
  • liquid smoke
  • vegetable oil
  • salt
  • paprika
  • black pepper
  • coriander
  • cumin
  • onion
  • pork butt
  • apple cider vinegar
  • chicken stock
  • dark molasses
  • fennel seed
  • worcestershire sauce
  • hot sauce
  • dark brown sugar
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BBQ Pulled Pork with Gravy

  • parsley
  • dinner roll
  • apple juice
  • cumin
  • smoked paprika
  • all purpose flour
  • butter
  • black pepper
  • garlic powder
  • pork shoulder
  • salt
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BBQ Pulled Pork with Carolina Sauce

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • sugar
  • mustard
  • honey
  • molasses
  • tomato paste
  • worcestershire sauce
  • red pepper flake
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • ketchup
  • soy sauce
  • pork butt
  • apple cider vinegar
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Oven Roasted Pulled Pork

  • black pepper
  • paprika
  • salt
  • cayenne pepper
  • liquid smoke
  • brown sugar
  • chili powder
  • garlic powder
  • cumin
  • onion powder
  • pork shoulder roast
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Slow Cooker Jerk Pulled Pork

  • ginger
  • soy sauce
  • lime
  • onion
  • scotch bonnet pepper
  • thyme
  • bouillon powder
  • allspice ground
  • cinnamon
  • white pepper
  • nutmeg
  • jerk seasoning
  • dark brown sugar
  • green onion
  • pork butt shoulder
  • garlic
  • salt season
  • pineapple
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'Cue the Pulled Pork

  • red pepper
  • salt
  • light sandwich bun
  • tomato sauce
  • ketchup
  • pork shoulder
  • pork tenderloin
  • onion
  • apple cider vinegar
  • brown sugar
  • garlic powder
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Chorizo-Spiced Pulled Pork With Mexican Street Corn Slaw Recipe

  • Slaw
  • salt
  • ancho chile
  • honey
  • jalapeño
  • cilantro
  • mayonnaise
  • green cabbage
  • corn
  • lime juice
  • garlic
  • cotija cheese
  • Pulled Pork
  • salt
  • mexican oregano
  • onion
  • black pepper
  • cayenne pepper
  • cinnamon
  • coriander
  • clove
  • ancho chile
  • apple cider vinegar
  • cornstarch
  • paprika
  • vegetable oil
  • cumin
  • mexican amber lager
  • pork shoulder
  • garlic
  • hamburger bun
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Instant Pot Pulled Pork

  • chili powder
  • barbecue sauce
  • water
  • smoked paprika
  • garlic powder
  • black pepper
  • mustard
  • cumin
  • onion powder
  • cayenne pepper
  • brown sugar
  • salt
  • apple cider vinegar
  • pork butt
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Pulled Pork

  • onion
  • brown sugar
  • salt
  • water
  • coriander
  • smoked paprika
  • apple cider vinegar
  • chili powder
  • black pepper
  • boston pork butt
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Slow Cooker Peruvian Pulled Pork

  • cilantro
  • lime juice
  • olive oil
  • apple cider vinegar
  • cumin
  • garlic
  • cauliflower
  • lime
  • oregano
  • black pepper
  • smoked paprika
  • greek yogurt
  • queso fresco
  • soy sauce
  • jalapeño
  • pork loin roast
  • ears corn cob
  • salt
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Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

  • canola oil
  • cumin
  • black pepper
  • coriander
  • salt
  • onion
  • beef
  • ketchup
  • apple cider vinegar
  • pork butt
  • paprika
  • garlic
  • brown sugar
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BBQ Smoked Pulled Pork Recipe

  • salt
  • paprika
  • cayenne pepper
  • chili powder
  • mustard powder
  • brown sugar
  • x13 disposable metal
  • black pepper
  • cumin
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • disposable metal pie pan
  • tablepoons olive oil
  • hickory wood chip
  • pork butt
  • water
  • propane least tank
  • barbecue sauce
  • brioche bun
  • butter
  • coleslaw
  • heavy duty tin foil
  • meat thermometer
  • grill thermometer
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Barbecue Pulled Pork

  • coleslaw
  • salt
  • chili powder
  • tomato paste
  • vegetable oil
  • mustard powder
  • onion
  • ketchup
  • cayenne pepper
  • allspice
  • apple cider vinegar
  • dark brown sugar
  • chicken broth
  • cumin
  • pork shoulder
  • garlic
  • hamburger bun
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Keto Pulled Pork

  • chicken broth
  • chili powder
  • vegetable oil
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • smoked paprika
  • black pepper
  • cumin
  • keto sweetener
  • salt
  • pork shoulder
  • barbecue sauce
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Pulled Pork Recipe

  • chile powder
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • paprika
  • black pepper
  • pork shoulder roast
  • cayenne pepper
  • thyme
  • brown sugar
  • onion
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Hatch chile pulled pork

  • hatch chile
  • butter
  • garlic powder
  • smoked paprika
  • worcestershire sauce
  • ketchup
  • cumin
  • white vinegar
  • yellow mustard
  • onion
  • honey
  • safflower oil
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • pork butt
  • garlic
  • bun
  • coleslaw
  • hatch chile barbecue sauce
  • pickle
  • cayenne pepper
  • onion
  • water
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BBQ Pulled Pork with Carolina Sauce

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • sugar
  • mustard
  • honey
  • molasses
  • tomato paste
  • worcestershire sauce
  • red pepper flake
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • ketchup
  • soy sauce
  • pork butt
  • apple cider vinegar
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Texas pulled pork with coffee-chipotle barbecue sauce

  • chipotle
  • canola oil
  • pork shoulder
  • brown sugar
  • cilantro
  • onion
  • coffee
  • dark coffee
  • lime juice
  • molasses
  • smoked paprika
  • yellow mustard
  • ketchup
  • salt
  • allspice
  • cinnamon
  • cumin
  • garlic
  • worcestershire sauce
  • chipotles chile
  • garlic
  • black pepper
  • salt
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Chilorio, Mexican pulled pork

  • salt
  • oregano
  • orange juice
  • cilantro
  • white vinegar
  • allspice
  • cumin
  • ancho chile
  • guajillo chile
  • pork butt
  • garlic
  • cotija cheese
  • onion
  • all purpose flour
  • salsa
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Crockpot Pulled Pork

  • chicken stock
  • dark brown sugar
  • cumin
  • pork shoulder
  • bbq sauce
  • coleslaw
  • chili powder
  • onion
  • salt
  • garlic
  • roll
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Pickleback Pulled Pork

  • bun
  • cole slaw
  • mustard
  • pickle
  • pickle juice
  • coriander seed
  • dill
  • mustard seed
  • red chili flake
  • whiskey
  • salt
  • garlic
  • pork roast
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The Best Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

  • chicken broth
  • oregano
  • garlic powder
  • black pepper
  • onion powder
  • brown sugar
  • bbq sauce
  • apple cider vinegar
  • salt
  • smoked paprika
  • olive oil
  • pork shoulder
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Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

  • chicken stock
  • olive oil
  • light brown sugar
  • black pepper
  • mustard
  • salt
  • bbq sauce
  • smoked paprika
  • garlic powder
  • pork roast
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Guinness Pulled Pork

  • smoked paprika
  • red pepper
  • guinness stout beer
  • onion
  • black pepper
  • garlic powder
  • salt
  • pork butt
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Lexington Pulled Pork

  • pork shoulder
  • dark brown sugar
  • salt
  • salt
  • mustard powder
  • garlic powder
  • white pepper
  • cayenne pepper
  • apple cider vinegar
  • sugar
  • black pepper
  • ketchup
  • sweet paprika

Ingredient Breakdown

 
salt
black pepper
onion
pork shoulder
garlic
apple cider vinegar
cumin
garlic powder
brown sugar
barbecue sauce
ketchup
onion powder
smoked paprika
coleslaw
water
worcestershire sauce
chili powder
cayenne pepper
pork butt
soy sauce
vegetable oil
oregano
pork shoulder roast
cilantro
paprika
pork roast
molasses
chipotle
mustard
sugar
bbq sauce
olive oil
dark brown sugar
honey
lime
hot sauce
mustard powder
red pepper
hamburger bun
ginger
chicken stock
coriander
butter
cinnamon
bun
dr pepper
bell pepper
salsa
parsley
pickle
mayonnaise
root beer
liquid smoke
tomato paste
ancho chile
jalapeño
lime juice
allspice
chicken broth
yellow mustard
dark soda
sweet smoked paprika
pork rub
dijon mustard
tomato sauce
light brown sugar
all purpose flour
red pepper flake
thyme
white pepper
green cabbage
cotija cheese
pork butt roast
pork loin roast
canola oil
white vinegar
sesame oil
gochujang
rice vinegar
roll
pork butt pork shoulder roast
ginger ale
beer
paprika powder
cumin powder
tabasco
pork butt pork shoulder
flour tortilla
pork loin
cider
shoulder roast
hickory liquid smoke
beef broth
jalepeno pepper
peach jam
creole seasoning
links andouille sausage
sesame bun
bourbon
brown mustard
dark molasses
fennel seed
dinner roll
apple juice
scotch bonnet pepper
bouillon powder
allspice ground
nutmeg
jerk seasoning
green onion
pork butt shoulder
salt season
pineapple
light sandwich bun
pork tenderloin
mexican oregano
clove
corn
cornstarch
mexican amber lager
grill seasoning
boston pork butt
green chily
orange
aji panca
ham base
cauliflower
greek yogurt
queso fresco
ears corn cob
beef
x13 disposable metal
disposable metal pie pan
tablepoons olive oil
hickory wood chip
propane least tank
brioche bun
heavy duty tin foil
meat thermometer
grill thermometer
hawaiian salt
keto sweetener
vinegar
peach
chile powder
hatch chile
safflower oil
hatch chile barbecue sauce
hawaiian roll
kimchi
orange peel
rosemary
coffee
dark coffee
chipotles chile
eastern north carolina vinegar
mean rub
potato bun
one pound skinless
orange juice
guajillo chile
gochukaru
sriracha
cole slaw
pickle juice
coriander seed
dill
mustard seed
red chili flake
whiskey
oil
guinness stout beer
sweet paprika
shirley chicken bouillon
oyster sauce
avocado
cheese
lettuce
sweet
sandwich roll
diamond brand salt
green chili
garlic salt
red enchilada sauce
coca cola
apple cider
bay leaf

Insights

Correlated with Lower Ratings

  • pork butt

Staple Ingredients

  • salt 67%
  • black pepper 53%
  • onion 45%

Common Ingredients

  • cumin 33%
  • garlic 29%
  • pork shoulder 29%
  • apple cider vinegar 27%
  • garlic powder 27%
  • barbecue sauce 25%
  • brown sugar 22%
  • ketchup 22%

Usual Ingredients

  • chili powder 16%
  • coleslaw 16%
  • onion powder 16%
  • pork butt 16%
  • smoked paprika 16%
  • cayenne pepper 15%
  • water 15%
  • worcestershire sauce 15%
  • paprika 13%
  • soy sauce 13%
  • vegetable oil 13%
  • cilantro 11%
  • molasses 11%
  • pork shoulder roast 11%
  • honey 9% See More
  • mustard 9%
  • oregano 9%