Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Maine Blueberry Maple BBQ Sauce

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

Tender pulled pork smoked low and slow, paired with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce featuring fresh Maine blueberries and a hint of maple syrup. This pork recipe, ready in about 380 minutes, pairs 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 480 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: 360 min Serves 8 480 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 Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon paprika, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon onion powder in a bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over the entire surface of the 4-pound pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of apple wood chips for smoke flavor. Place the pork shoulder on the smoker grate and smoke for about 6 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender.
  3. Step 3: While the pork smokes, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 chopped bacon slices and cook until crispy and the fat renders, about 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup fresh Maine blueberries to the bacon fat and sauté for 3 minutes until they start to burst. Stir in 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, and 2 tablespoons Jim Beam bourbon. Simmer the sauce gently for 15 minutes until thickened and glossy.
  5. Step 5: Remove the pork from the smoker and let it rest for 30 minutes. Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces.
  6. Step 6: Toss the pulled pork with half of the blueberry maple BBQ sauce, reserving the rest for serving. Serve warm on buns or alongside your favorite sides.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Maine Blueberry Maple BBQ Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 380 minutes (20 min prep + 360 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 Maine Blueberry Maple BBQ 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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Maine Blueberry Maple BBQ 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 Maine Blueberry Maple BBQ 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 Maine Blueberry Maple BBQ 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