Pasture-Raised Smoked Pork Shoulder with Housemade Tangy Slaw

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-smoked pork shoulder from pasture-raised meat served with a crisp, tangy cabbage slaw made in-house for a balanced BBQ plate. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 555 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 520 calories and feeds 10, 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: 540 min Serves 10 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Rub this spice blend evenly over the entire surface of the 5 lbs pork shoulder. Cover and let rest in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to 250°F and smoke the pork shoulder for approximately 8-9 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
  3. Step 3: While the pork cooks, combine 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp celery seed, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a large bowl. Add 3 cups shredded green cabbage, 2 cups shredded red cabbage, and 1 cup shredded carrot. Toss well until the slaw is evenly coated and let chill.
  4. Step 4: Once the pork shoulder is done, let it rest for 20 minutes before shredding it with two forks. Serve the pulled pork alongside a generous helping of the tangy housemade slaw.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pasture-Raised Smoked Pork Shoulder with Housemade Tangy Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 555 minutes (15 min prep + 540 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 Pasture-Raised Smoked Pork Shoulder with Housemade Tangy Slaw?

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 Pasture-Raised Smoked Pork Shoulder with Housemade Tangy Slaw?

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 Pasture-Raised Smoked Pork Shoulder with Housemade Tangy Slaw for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). 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 Pasture-Raised Smoked Pork Shoulder with Housemade Tangy Slaw?

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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