Hickory-Smoked Pulled Pork with Apple Cider BBQ Sauce

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

Tender pork shoulder smoked with hickory wood and served with a tangy apple cider BBQ sauce for a deliciously smoky and sweet flavor combination. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 380 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, hickory wood chips, kosher salt 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: 360 min Serves 8 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Mix 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp onion powder in a bowl. Rub this dry spice mix evenly over 4 lbs pork shoulder, coating all sides thoroughly.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of hickory wood chips to generate smoke. Place the pork shoulder in the smoker fat side up and smoke for about 6 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 195°F, maintaining steady smoke.
  3. Step 3: While the pork smokes, combine 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup apple cider, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp smoked paprika in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld.
  4. Step 4: Once pork reaches 195°F, remove from smoker and let rest covered in foil for 30 minutes. Shred the pork using two forks and mix in half of the warm apple cider BBQ sauce.
  5. Step 5: Serve the pulled pork on buns or plates with remaining apple cider BBQ sauce spooned over for extra tangy smokiness.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Hickory-Smoked Pulled Pork with Apple Cider BBQ Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 380 minutes (20 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 Hickory-Smoked Pulled Pork with Apple Cider 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 Hickory-Smoked Pulled Pork with Apple Cider 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 Hickory-Smoked Pulled Pork with Apple Cider 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 Hickory-Smoked Pulled Pork with Apple Cider 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.

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