Slow-Smoked Whole Hog Pulled Pork with Classic Texas BBQ Rub

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

A whole hog shoulder slow-smoked over wood with a classic Texas-style dry rub, pulled and served with rich BBQ sauce. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 750 minutes pairs whole hog shoulder 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 650 calories and feeds 10, 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: 30 min Cook: 720 min Serves 10 American cuisine 650 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 3 tbsp kosher salt, 2 tbsp black pepper, 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, and 2 tbsp brown sugar in a bowl to create a dry rub. Pat 6 lbs pork shoulder dry and rub the spice blend evenly all over, covering every surface.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to 225°F using hardwood like oak or hickory. Place the pork shoulder fat side up in the smoker and smoke for 10-12 hours, until internal temperature reaches 203°F and meat is tender enough to pull easily.
  3. Step 3: Remove the pork shoulder and wrap in foil. Let rest for 1 hour. Using two forks, pull the pork into shreds and mix with 2 cups Dickey’s style BBQ sauce until well coated. Serve on buns or plates with extra sauce on the side.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Small appliances → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Whole Hog Pulled Pork with Classic Texas BBQ Rub take to make?

Total time is about 750 minutes (30 min prep + 720 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 Whole Hog Pulled Pork with Classic Texas BBQ Rub?

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 kosher salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Whole Hog Pulled Pork with Classic Texas BBQ Rub?

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 Whole Hog Pulled Pork with Classic Texas BBQ Rub for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). 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 Whole Hog Pulled Pork with Classic Texas BBQ Rub?

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.

Related recipes