Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder with Maple-Bacon Glaze

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

Tender pulled pork shoulder smoked low and slow, finished with a rich maple-bacon glaze that balances sweet and smoky flavors. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 500 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 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: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 8 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder. Rub this spice blend thoroughly over the entire surface of the 5 lbs pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F using 2 cups apple wood chips for smoke flavor. Place the pork shoulder fat side up on the smoker grate and smoke for about 6 hours, maintaining 225°F and replenishing wood chips as needed.
  3. Step 3: While the pork smokes, cook 4 slices of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon and chop finely. Add 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet with bacon fat. Simmer over low heat for 3 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: After 6 hours, wrap the pork shoulder tightly in foil and continue smoking for an additional 2 hours until internal temperature reaches 195°F and meat is tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork from smoker and let rest for 30 minutes. Unwrap and shred the pork with two forks, mixing in the chopped bacon and maple glaze evenly before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder with Maple-Bacon Glaze 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 Pulled Pork Shoulder with Maple-Bacon Glaze?

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 Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder with Maple-Bacon Glaze?

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 Pulled Pork Shoulder with Maple-Bacon Glaze 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 Pulled Pork Shoulder with Maple-Bacon Glaze?

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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