Evansville-Inspired Smoked Pork Shoulder with Maple Glaze
Slow-smoked pork shoulder rubbed with regional spices and finished with a sweet maple glaze that balances smoky depth and subtle sweetness. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 400 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, 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.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs, boneless pork shoulder
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp smoked paprika to create a dry rub.
- Step 2: Rub the 4 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 2 tbsp olive oil, then massage the dry rub all over the meat, coating thoroughly. Let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 3: Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Place the pork shoulder inside and smoke for approximately 6 hours, adding 1 cup water to the smoker’s water pan to maintain moisture.
- Step 4: In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup maple syrup and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 5: During the last 30 minutes of smoking, brush the pork shoulder generously with the maple glaze every 10 minutes to build a sticky, flavorful crust.
- Step 6: Remove the pork shoulder when internal temperature reaches 195°F, let rest covered for 20 minutes before slicing or pulling.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Evansville-Inspired Smoked Pork Shoulder with Maple Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 400 minutes (40 min prep + 360 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 Evansville-Inspired Smoked Pork Shoulder with Maple Glaze?
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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Evansville-Inspired Smoked Pork Shoulder with Maple Glaze?
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 Evansville-Inspired Smoked Pork Shoulder with Maple Glaze 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 Evansville-Inspired Smoked Pork Shoulder with Maple Glaze?
American grilling 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.
