Spicy Southern-Style Smoked Pulled Pork

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

Tender pulled pork infused with a smoky spice rub, slow-cooked to juicy perfection and perfect for sandwiches or plates. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 520 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 400 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
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper in a small bowl to create a spice rub.
2. Step 2: Rub the 3 pounds pork shoulder evenly with the spice mixture, covering all sides. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
3. Step 3: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker, pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup water around the meat, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is very tender and falls apart easily.
4. Step 4: Remove the pork from the cooker and shred it using two forks, discarding any excess fat. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker juices to keep moist and serve warm.