Muncie-Style Smoked Pork Shoulder with North Church Rub

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

Slow-smoked pork shoulder rubbed with a bold seasoning blend inspired by Muncie's rich heritage, creating tender, flavorful pulled pork. This american-inspired pork ready in about 400 minutes pairs pork shoulder (Boston butt), 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: 40 min Cook: 360 min Serves 8 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1 tsp mustard powder to make the North Church rub.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 lbs pork shoulder and generously coat all sides with the rub, pressing it into the meat. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add hickory or applewood chips for smoke.
  4. Step 4: Place the pork shoulder fat side up on the smoker rack and smoke for approximately 6 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 195°F, spritzing with 1 cup apple juice every hour to maintain moisture.
  5. Step 5: Remove the pork from the smoker and wrap tightly in foil. Let rest for 1 hour.
  6. Step 6: Unwrap and shred the pork with two forks. Toss with 1 cup barbecue sauce and serve on buns or as desired.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Muncie-Style Smoked Pork Shoulder with North Church Rub 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 Muncie-Style Smoked Pork Shoulder with North Church 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 (boston butt) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Muncie-Style Smoked Pork Shoulder with North Church 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 Muncie-Style Smoked Pork Shoulder with North Church 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 Muncie-Style Smoked Pork Shoulder with North Church Rub?

American 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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