Fire-Kissed BBQ Pulled Pork (Printable View)

Tender pulled pork with smoky BBQ flavor and fresh herbs, served on toasted buns with vibrant toppings.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pork & Marinade

01 - 3.3 lbs boneless pork shoulder
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1 tsp onion powder
07 - 1 tsp dried thyme
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 2 tsp kosher salt
10 - 1 tsp black pepper

→ Cooking Liquid

11 - 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
12 - 1/3 cup chicken broth
13 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

→ BBQ Sauce & Herbs

14 - 1 cup smoky barbecue sauce
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
17 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

→ Sandwich Assembly

18 - 6 brioche or rustic sandwich buns
19 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
20 - 1 cup coleslaw (optional)
21 - 2 tbsp butter (for toasting buns)

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Rub pork shoulder with olive oil, then evenly coat with the spice mixture.
02 - Place pork in a slow cooker or Dutch oven. Add apple cider, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until very tender and easily shredded.
03 - Preheat grill or large cast-iron skillet on high heat to prepare for finishing the pork and toasting buns.
04 - Remove pork from cooking liquid and shred using two forks. Toss shredded pork with half of the BBQ sauce and chopped fresh herbs.
05 - Place shredded pork in a grill basket or directly on skillet. Sear for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until edges turn crispy and lightly charred.
06 - Butter the interior of each bun and toast over the grill or skillet until golden brown.
07 - Pile seared pulled pork onto toasted buns. Drizzle with remaining BBQ sauce and top with red onions and optional coleslaw. Serve immediately.

# Best Practices:

01 -
  • Hearty rustic dinner
  • Smoky fire-charred flavor
02 -
  • For a spicier kick add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to the rub or serve with pickled jalapeños
  • Use gluten-free buns for a gluten-free option
03 -
  • Use a slow cooker or Dutch oven for tender pulled pork
  • Toast buns with butter for extra flavor and crunch
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