Slow-Smoked Mississippi BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pulled pork smoked low and slow, served with a tangy homemade barbecue sauce on soft buns, capturing the heart of Jackson's BBQ tradition. This southern-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 615 minutes pairs pork shoulder (bone-in), 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 600 min Serves 8 Southern cuisine 550 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Order on Instacart →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Mix 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp onion powder in a bowl. Rub this spice mixture evenly over the entire 4 lbs pork shoulder. Let it rest refrigerated for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F using hickory or oak wood chips. Place the pork shoulder fat side up on the smoker rack and smoke for about 8-10 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender enough to pull apart easily.
  3. Step 3: While the pork smokes, combine 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup yellow mustard, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 2 tbsp honey in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
  4. Step 4: When pork is done, remove it from the smoker and let rest for 20 minutes. Use two forks to shred the pork into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Step 5: Toss the shredded pork with half of the barbecue sauce, reserving the rest for serving. Pile the pork onto 8 hamburger buns and top with 2 cups coleslaw if desired. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Mississippi BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches take to make?

Total time is about 615 minutes (15 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 Slow-Smoked Mississippi BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches?

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 (bone-in) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Mississippi BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches?

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 Slow-Smoked Mississippi BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches 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 Slow-Smoked Mississippi BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches?

Southern 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.

Related recipes

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →