Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder with Tangy Mustard Barbecue Sauce
Tender pork shoulder smoked low and slow, served with a tangy homemade mustard barbecue sauce inspired by Southern Kentucky flavors. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 620 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 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.
Ingredients
- 5 lbs pork shoulder (bone-in)
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cups wood chips (hickory or apple)
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Mix 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp garlic powder in a bowl. Rub this dry spice mix all over the 5 lbs pork shoulder, covering every surface evenly.
- Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of soaked wood chips (hickory or apple) for smoke flavor. Place the pork shoulder fat side up on the smoker rack.
- Step 3: Smoke the pork shoulder for approximately 8-10 hours, maintaining 225°F and replenishing wood chips as needed, until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender enough to pull apart easily.
- Step 4: While the pork cooks, whisk together 1/2 cup yellow mustard, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp hot sauce, and 1/4 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld.
- Step 5: When the pork is done, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for 30 minutes. Then shred the meat using two forks.
- Step 6: Toss the pulled pork with half of the mustard barbecue sauce and serve the remaining sauce on the side for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder with Tangy Mustard Barbecue Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 620 minutes (20 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 Pulled Pork Shoulder with Tangy Mustard Barbecue Sauce?
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 Pulled Pork Shoulder with Tangy Mustard Barbecue Sauce?
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 Tangy Mustard Barbecue Sauce 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 Tangy Mustard Barbecue Sauce?
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.
