Low and Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pork shoulder smoked at a low temperature for hours until it pulls apart effortlessly with a smoky crust. This bbq & smoked-inspired pork ready in about 435 minutes pairs 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 420 min Serves 8 BBQ & Smoked cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp paprika, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder in a bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over all sides of the 4 lb pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to a low temperature of 225°F. Place the pork shoulder fat-side up on the smoker grate.
  3. Step 3: Smoke the pork shoulder for 6-7 hours, maintaining 225°F, until an internal temperature of 195°F is reached and the meat is tender enough to pull apart.
  4. Step 4: In the last hour, mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water and spritz the pork every 30 minutes to keep it moist and develop a flavorful crust.
  5. Step 5: Remove from smoker and let rest for 20 minutes before shredding with forks.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Low and Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder take to make?

Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 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 Low and Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder?

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 Low and Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder?

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 Low and Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder 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 Low and Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder?

BBQ & Smoked 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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