DeKalb County Smoked Pulled Pork with Spiced BBQ Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-smoked pork shoulder infused with a robust spice rub, served with a tangy and smoky homemade BBQ sauce reflective of Georgia’s barbecue traditions. This Southern-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs pork shoulder (bone-in), brown sugar, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 8 Southern cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp salt, 2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp onion powder in a bowl to create a spice rub.
  2. Step 2: Rub the 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder thoroughly with the spice mixture, covering all sides, and let rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
  3. Step 3: Preheat smoker to 225°F. Place the pork shoulder fat side up on the smoker rack and smoke for approximately 8 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 195°F, spritzing with apple cider vinegar every hour.
  4. Step 4: While pork smokes, combine 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp molasses, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tbsp yellow mustard in a saucepan; simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork from smoker and let rest covered for 20 minutes, then shred using two forks.
  6. Step 6: Toss the shredded pork with half of the spiced BBQ sauce and serve with remaining sauce on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does DeKalb County Smoked Pulled Pork with Spiced BBQ Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 DeKalb County Smoked Pulled Pork with Spiced 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 (bone-in) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in DeKalb County Smoked Pulled Pork with Spiced 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 DeKalb County Smoked Pulled Pork with Spiced 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 DeKalb County Smoked Pulled Pork with Spiced BBQ Sauce?

Southern pork 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.

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