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
Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
- dr pepper
- onion
- pork butt pork shoulder roast
- barbecue sauce
- coleslaw
- salt
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
Pulled Pork (Crock Pot)
- barbecue sauce
- ginger ale
- barbecue sauce
- onion
- pork roast
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
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
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
North Carolina-Style Pulled Pork
- red pepper
- sugar
- salt
- black pepper
- cider
- black pepper
- salt
Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker
- onion
- barbecue sauce
- shoulder roast
- water
- coleslaw
- onion
- hamburger bun
Crock Pot Pulled Pork (+Video)
- dr pepper
- hickory liquid smoke
- bbq sauce
- pork rub
- pork shoulder roast
Chipotle Pulled Pork
- beef broth
- oregano
- salt
- oregano
- cumin
- jalepeno pepper
- onion
- chipotle
- cilantro
- black pepper
- chipotle
- pork shoulder
- garlic
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
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
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- root beer
- bbq sauce
- water
- olive oil
- garlic
- pork rub
- pork shoulder roast
Root Beer Pulled Pork
- onion
- barbecue sauce
- black pepper
- salt
- root beer
- pork shoulder
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
BBQ Pulled Pork with Gravy
- parsley
- dinner roll
- apple juice
- cumin
- smoked paprika
- all purpose flour
- butter
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- pork shoulder
- salt
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
Oven Roasted Pulled Pork
- black pepper
- paprika
- salt
- cayenne pepper
- liquid smoke
- brown sugar
- chili powder
- garlic powder
- cumin
- onion powder
- pork shoulder roast
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
'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
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
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
Pulled Pork With Peppers
- bell pepper
- pork shoulder roast
- grill seasoning
- onion
- lime
- barbecue sauce
Pulled Pork
- onion
- brown sugar
- salt
- water
- coriander
- smoked paprika
- apple cider vinegar
- chili powder
- black pepper
- boston pork butt
Crock Pot South American Pulled Pork
- green chily
- water
- onion
- orange
- pork butt roast
- aji panca
- cumin
- ham base
- oregano
- lime
- garlic
- cilantro
- black pepper
- lime
- salt
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
Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- canola oil
- cumin
- black pepper
- coriander
- salt
- onion
- beef
- ketchup
- apple cider vinegar
- pork butt
- paprika
- garlic
- brown sugar
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
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
Slow Cooker Kalua Pulled Pork
- hawaiian salt
- liquid smoke
- pork butt roast
- bun
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
Pulled Pork with Peaches
- brown sugar
- soy sauce
- garlic
- ginger
- ketchup
- vinegar
- peach
- pork roast
- bun
- coleslaw
Pulled Pork Recipe
- chile powder
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- paprika
- black pepper
- pork shoulder roast
- cayenne pepper
- thyme
- brown sugar
- onion
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
Korean Pulled Pork Recipe for the Slow Cooker
- sesame oil
- gochujang
- rice vinegar
- soy sauce
- pork shoulder
- hawaiian roll
- kimchi
Pulled Pork With Wet Mustard Rub
- parsley
- orange peel
- rosemary
- barbecue sauce
- black pepper
- dijon mustard
- salt
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
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
Slow Cooker Honey-Chipotle Pulled Pork
- ketchup
- apple cider vinegar
- worcestershire sauce
- brown sugar
- honey
- salt
- pork roast
- black pepper
- garlic
- chipotle
Low-and-Slow Pulled Pork (Smoked Pork Shoulder) Recipe
- yellow mustard
- coleslaw
- eastern north carolina vinegar
- hot sauce
- salt
- mean rub
- potato bun
- one pound skinless
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
Crockpot Pulled Pork
- chicken stock
- dark brown sugar
- cumin
- pork shoulder
- bbq sauce
- coleslaw
- chili powder
- onion
- salt
- garlic
- roll
Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork
- pork loin roast
- roll
- root beer
- salt
- barbecue sauce
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork with Gochujang
- sesame oil
- ginger
- jalapeño
- onion
- gochujang
- gochukaru
- rice vinegar
- sriracha
- sugar
- pork shoulder
- garlic
Pickleback Pulled Pork
- bun
- cole slaw
- mustard
- pickle
- pickle juice
- coriander seed
- dill
- mustard seed
- red chili flake
- whiskey
- salt
- garlic
- pork roast
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- oil
- salt
- barbecue sauce
- butter
- pork shoulder roast
- hamburger bun
- coleslaw
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
Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork
- chicken stock
- olive oil
- light brown sugar
- black pepper
- mustard
- salt
- bbq sauce
- smoked paprika
- garlic powder
- pork roast
Guinness Pulled Pork
- smoked paprika
- red pepper
- guinness stout beer
- onion
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- salt
- pork butt
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
SLOW COOKER ASIAN PULLED PORK
- water
- brown sugar
- worcestershire sauce
- garlic
- onion
- shirley chicken bouillon
- soy sauce
- oyster sauce
- pork roast
Sweet and Spicy Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
- chipotle
- onion
- pork shoulder
- brown sugar
- dr pepper
- avocado
- cheese
- cilantro
- salsa
- salt
- lettuce
crispy oven pulled pork
- apple cider vinegar
- black pepper
- chipotle
- pork shoulder
- green cabbage
- sweet
- sandwich roll
- ketchup
- mayonnaise
- diamond brand salt
- brown sugar
Cafe Rio {Copycat} Sweet Pulled Pork
- green chili
- garlic salt
- red enchilada sauce
- brown sugar
- pork shoulder roast
- coca cola
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
- apple cider
- bay leaf
- black pepper
- onion
- apple cider vinegar
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
- salt
- pork shoulder
Ingredient Breakdown
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%