Applewood-Smoked Pulled Pork with Blueberry Maple BBQ Sauce
Tender pulled pork smoked over applewood chips, served with a tangy blueberry maple BBQ sauce that balances sweet and savory flavors. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 460 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 cups applewood chips
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 cup water
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 lbs pork shoulder and rub evenly with 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp onion powder. Let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups soaked applewood chips for smoke. Place pork shoulder on the smoker grate and smoke for 6-7 hours until internal temperature reaches 195°F and meat is tender.
- Step 3: While pork smokes, combine 1 cup fresh blueberries, 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until blueberries burst and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Remove pork from smoker and let rest for 20 minutes. Use two forks to shred the meat finely, discarding excess fat.
- Step 5: Toss shredded pork with half of the blueberry maple BBQ sauce and serve with remaining sauce on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Applewood-Smoked Pulled Pork with Blueberry Maple BBQ Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 460 minutes (40 min prep + 420 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Applewood-Smoked Pulled Pork with Blueberry Maple BBQ Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Applewood-Smoked Pulled Pork with Blueberry Maple BBQ Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Applewood-Smoked Pulled Pork with Blueberry Maple BBQ Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Applewood-Smoked Pulled Pork with Blueberry Maple BBQ Sauce?
American bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
