Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder with Maple Chipotle Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender, fall-apart smoked pork shoulder accented with a sweet and smoky maple chipotle glaze, perfect for sandwiches or hearty plates. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 440 minutes turns pork shoulder (bone-in), kosher salt, black pepper into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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: 420 min Serves 8 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp chipotle powder in a bowl. Rub this dry spice mix evenly over the entire 5 lbs pork shoulder, coating all sides thoroughly.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of soaked hickory or applewood wood chips for smoke flavor. Place the pork shoulder directly on the grill grate fat side up and smoke for about 6-7 hours, maintaining steady temperature and smoke.
  3. Step 3: While the pork smokes, whisk together 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbsp olive oil to create the glaze.
  4. Step 4: During the last hour of smoking, brush the maple chipotle glaze onto the pork every 15 minutes to build a sticky, flavorful crust. Continue smoking until internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender enough to pull apart easily.
  5. Step 5: Remove the pork from the smoker and let it rest for 30 minutes tented loosely with foil. Shred the pork with two forks and toss with any accumulated juices before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder with Maple Chipotle Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 440 minutes (20 min prep + 420 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 Chipotle Glaze?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder with Maple Chipotle 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 Chipotle 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 Chipotle 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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