Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Tangy Homemade BBQ Sauce

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

Tender, smoky pulled pork shoulder slow-cooked over wood chips and served with a tangy, homemade BBQ sauce perfect for sandwiches or plates. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 405 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.

Prep: 45 min Cook: 360 min Serves 8 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp onion powder in a bowl to make a dry rub. Rub evenly over 4 lbs pork shoulder, covering all sides; let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups soaked wood chips (hickory or applewood) to generate smoke. Place pork shoulder fat side up on the smoker grate and smoke for about 6 hours, maintaining 225°F until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender.
  3. Step 3: While pork smokes, whisk together 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp liquid smoke, and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes until thickened and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from smoker and let rest for 20 minutes. Using two forks, shred the pork shoulder into bite-sized pieces and toss with half of the prepared BBQ sauce. Serve with remaining sauce on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork with Tangy Homemade BBQ Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 405 minutes (45 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 Tangy Homemade 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 Homemade 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 Homemade 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 Homemade 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.

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