Slow-Smoked Mustard-Crusted Pulled Pork

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

Tender pulled pork smoked low and slow with a homemade mustard rub, served with tangy pickles for a perfect balance of flavors. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 500 minutes pairs pounds pork shoulder, yellow mustard, brown sugar 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: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 8 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 1/2 cup yellow mustard, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a bowl to create a mustard rub. Rub this mixture evenly over all sides of the 4-pound pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Place the pork shoulder on the smoker grate and smoke for about 8 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender enough to pull apart easily.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup water in a spray bottle. Every hour during smoking, spritz the pork shoulder lightly to keep it moist and enhance flavor.
  4. Step 4: Remove the pork shoulder from the smoker and let it rest for 30 minutes covered loosely with foil. Then, shred the meat using two forks.
  5. Step 5: Serve the pulled pork topped with 1 cup sliced homemade pickles to add a crisp, tangy counterpoint to the smoky richness.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Mustard-Crusted Pulled Pork take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Mustard-Crusted Pulled Pork?

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 pounds pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Mustard-Crusted Pulled Pork?

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 Mustard-Crusted Pulled Pork 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 Mustard-Crusted Pulled Pork?

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.

Related recipes