Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Tangy Carolina BBQ Sauce
Tender, slow-smoked pulled pork shoulder paired with a classic tangy North Carolina-style vinegar BBQ sauce. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 465 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
- 4 lbs pork shoulder (bone-in)
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 lbs pork shoulder and rub it all over with 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp onion powder. Let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F, then place the pork shoulder fat side up and smoke for about 6-7 hours, maintaining 225°F until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender enough to pull apart easily.
- Step 3: While the pork smokes, combine 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp red pepper flakes, and 2 tbsp yellow mustard in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves and sauce is aromatic.
- Step 4: Remove the pork from the smoker and let rest for 20 minutes. Using two forks, shred the pork and toss with the vinegar BBQ sauce to taste. Serve warm with additional sauce on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Tangy Carolina BBQ Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 465 minutes (45 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 Tangy Carolina 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 (bone-in) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Tangy Carolina 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 Tangy Carolina 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 Tangy Carolina BBQ 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.
