Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Carolina Mustard Sauce

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

Tender slow-smoked pulled pork served with a tangy Carolina-style mustard sauce that complements the smoky flavors. This southern-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 525 minutes pairs pork shoulder (Boston butt), yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar 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.

★ 4.3 (10 ratings) Prep: 45 min Cook: 480 min Serves 8 Southern cuisine 450 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

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 bowl, mix 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to create a dry rub.
  2. Step 2: Pat 4 lbs pork shoulder dry and rub evenly with 2 tbsp vegetable oil, then coat thoroughly with the dry rub. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Preheat smoker to 225°F. Place pork shoulder in the smoker and smoke for approximately 6-8 hours until internal temperature reaches 195°F, spritzing with 1 cup water every hour to maintain moisture.
  4. Step 4: While pork smokes, prepare Carolina mustard sauce by whisking together 1/4 cup yellow mustard, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbsp brown sugar in a bowl until sugar dissolves.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork from smoker and let rest for 20 minutes. Using two forks, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Toss the pulled pork with half of the mustard sauce, reserving the rest for serving.
  6. Step 6: Serve pulled pork on buns or plates with remaining Carolina mustard sauce drizzled on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Carolina Mustard Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 525 minutes (45 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 with Carolina Mustard 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 (boston butt) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Carolina Mustard 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 with Carolina Mustard 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 with Carolina Mustard Sauce?

Southern 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes