Slow-Cooked Southern BBQ Pulled Pork

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-04 · Updated 2026-08-04

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Tender, smoky pulled pork slow-cooked with a tangy and spicy Southern-style barbecue sauce perfect for sandwiches or plates. This Southern United States-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 525 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: 510 min Serves 8 Southern United States cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 lbs pork shoulder
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp honey
1/2 cup water

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Instructions

Step 1: Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper in a bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over the entire surface of the 3 lbs pork shoulder.
Step 2: Place the seasoned pork shoulder into a slow cooker. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp honey, and 1/2 cup water until smooth and pour this mixture over the pork.
Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the pork is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred using two forks.
Step 4: Skim any excess fat from the cooking liquid in the slow cooker, then return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix thoroughly with the sauce. Cook uncovered on low for an additional 30 minutes to thicken the sauce and let the flavors meld.