Best BBQ Pulled Pork

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-02 · Updated 2026-04-02

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender, fall-off-the-bone pork slow-cooked in a smoky BBQ sauce, perfect for sandwiches or serving over rice. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 510 minutes, pairs Pork shoulder, Smoked paprika, Brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 lbs, bone-in Pork shoulder
1 tbsp Smoked paprika
2 tbsp Brown sugar
1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
3 cloves, minced Garlic
1 medium, diced Onion
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
4 slices, chopped Applewood-smoked bacon

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Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

Cuisinart Knife Set, 12pc Ceramic Coated Knife Set with 6 Blades & 6 Blade Guards, Lightweight, Stainless Steel, Durable & Dishwasher Safe (White)
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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Rub 1 tbsp smoked paprika and 1 tbsp brown sugar over pork shoulder, then season with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 diced onion. Place in a roasting pan.
Step 2: Bake for 3 hours, basting every 45 minutes with BBQ sauce. After 3 hours, stir in 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, 4 chopped applewood-smoked bacon slices, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Continue baking for 1-2 hours until pork is tender and pulls apart easily.
Step 3: Let rest for 10 minutes, then shred with two forks. Serve warm with additional BBQ sauce drizzled over the top.