Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder with Tangy Vinegar Mop Sauce

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

Tender, smoky pulled pork shoulder cooked low and slow with a classic vinegar-based mop sauce for tangy moisture and flavor. This pork recipe, ready in about 795 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 10, 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: 75 min Cook: 720 min Serves 10 450 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

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.

More Kitchen tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, 2 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder. Rub this dry spice mix evenly over the entire 5-pound pork shoulder, pressing gently to adhere. Let it rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of hickory or apple wood chips for smoke. Place the pork shoulder fat side up on the smoker grate.
  3. Step 3: In a mop sauce bowl, mix 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup water, and 2 tablespoons hot sauce if using. Every hour, gently baste the pork shoulder with this mop sauce using a brush or mop, continuing to smoke until the internal temperature reaches 195°F, approximately 10-12 hours.
  4. Step 4: Remove the pork from the smoker and wrap tightly in foil. Let it rest for 1 hour to allow juices to redistribute.
  5. Step 5: Using two forks, shred the pork shoulder into bite-sized pieces, mixing in any accumulated juices for moist pulled pork. Serve warm on buns or plates.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder with Tangy Vinegar Mop Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 795 minutes (75 min prep + 720 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 Vinegar Mop 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 Vinegar Mop 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 Vinegar Mop Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). 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 Vinegar Mop Sauce?

BBQ & Smoked pork 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