Kansas City Burnt Ends with Smoked Paprika Rub

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Savory pulled pork shoulder with a smoky-sweet glaze, inspired by KC's iconic burnt ends tradition. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 655 minutes pairs pork shoulder butt, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

★ 4.5 (8 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 630 min Serves 8 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Trim excess fat from pork shoulder, then rub 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp dry rub spice mix evenly over all sides.
  2. Step 2: Place pork in a 5-quart slow cooker, add 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and cook on low for 10 hours until fork-tender.
  3. Step 3: Shred pork with two forks, discarding fat, then return to slow cooker. Stir in 3 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tsp liquid smoke, cooking on high for 30 minutes until glaze thickens and coats meat.
  4. Step 4: Serve with extra glaze drizzled over top, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Kansas City Burnt Ends with Smoked Paprika Rub take to make?

Total time is about 655 minutes (25 min prep + 630 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 Kansas City Burnt Ends with Smoked Paprika Rub?

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 butt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Kansas City Burnt Ends with Smoked Paprika Rub?

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 Kansas City Burnt Ends with Smoked Paprika Rub 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 Kansas City Burnt Ends with Smoked Paprika Rub?

American slow cooker 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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