Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Honey BBQ Glaze

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

Tender pulled pork smoked low and slow, brushed with a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce inspired by Rockford traditions. This bbq & smoked-inspired pork ready in about 440 minutes pairs pounds 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 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 420 min Serves 8 BBQ & Smoked cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your smoker to 225°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, and 1 tsp cayenne pepper. Rub this spice blend evenly over the entire 4-pound pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the pork and rub it in to help the spices stick. Place the pork shoulder fat side up on the smoker grate and smoke for approximately 6-7 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender enough to pull apart easily.
  3. Step 3: While the pork smokes, prepare the honey BBQ glaze by whisking together 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/3 cup honey, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tsp liquid smoke in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Once the pork is done, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for 20 minutes. Use two forks to shred the meat, discarding excess fat and bones. Toss the shredded pork with half of the honey BBQ glaze until well coated.
  5. Step 5: Serve the pulled pork warm with the remaining honey BBQ glaze on the side for dipping or drizzling.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Honey BBQ 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 with Honey BBQ 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 pounds pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Honey BBQ 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 with Honey BBQ 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 with Honey BBQ Glaze?

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.

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