Maple Bacon-Smoked Pork Shoulder with Blueberry BBQ Sauce
Tender pork shoulder smoked to perfection and glazed with a unique blueberry and maple syrup BBQ sauce accented with smoky bacon. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 630 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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 pounds pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 strips, chopped bacon
- 1 cup fresh Maine blueberries
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp Jim Beam bourbon
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, and 2 tbsp brown sugar. Rub this spice mix evenly over all sides of the 4-pound pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Place the pork shoulder directly on the grate and smoke for 8-10 hours until internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender.
- Step 3: While the pork smokes, cook 4 chopped bacon strips in a medium saucepan over medium heat until crispy and fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon pieces and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup fresh Maine blueberries, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and 2 tbsp Jim Beam bourbon to the bacon fat. Simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and blueberries burst.
- Step 5: Remove pork from smoker and let rest for 20 minutes. Shred the meat and toss with half of the blueberry BBQ sauce. Serve with remaining sauce on the side and sprinkle with the reserved crispy bacon pieces.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple Bacon-Smoked Pork Shoulder with Blueberry BBQ Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 630 minutes (30 min prep + 600 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 Maple Bacon-Smoked Pork Shoulder with Blueberry 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 Maple Bacon-Smoked Pork Shoulder with Blueberry 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 Maple Bacon-Smoked Pork Shoulder with Blueberry 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 Maple Bacon-Smoked Pork Shoulder with Blueberry 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.
