Smoky Maple-Glazed BBQ Pulled Pork

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-31 · Updated 2026-05-31

Tender pulled pork slow-cooked with a smoky dry rub and finished with a sticky maple barbecue glaze that balances sweet and savory flavors. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 cup maple syrup
• 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder in a small bowl to create a dry rub.
2. Step 2: Rub the 3 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 1 tbsp olive oil and then massage the dry rub all over the pork, coating thoroughly.
3. Step 3: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours until the meat is tender and shreddable.
4. Step 4: In a small saucepan, whisk together 0.5 cup maple syrup, 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbsp yellow mustard. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Toss the shredded pork with the maple barbecue glaze until well coated before serving.