Pulled Pork
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Learn to make pit-worthy pulled pork without a smoker—this easy recipe guides you to succulent, slow-roasted pork with a flavorful bark and tangy-sweet sauce that rivals your favorite barbecue spot.
Rubbed with barbecue spices and slow-roasted until the meat is fork-tender with a crusty bark, this pulled pork is a huge crowd-pleaser and great for feeding a big group. It’s simple to prepare and takes just minutes to get in the oven, although you’ll need to allow about 6 hours for it to cook.
As the delicious BBQ scent fills your kitchen, the hardest part of the recipe becomes waiting—and then of course trying not to eat all of the succulent pork as you’re pulling it apart! The sauce is a hybrid of a sweet BBQ sauce and Carolina-style vinegar-based sauce, mixed with the rich pan juices for added depth of flavor and smokiness. This is a feast!
Table of Contents
“Followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfectly. Great flavor, beautiful bark, delicious sauce. The whole family enjoyed it!”
What You’ll Need To Make Pulled Pork
- Bone-in Pork Butt (Boston Butt): This is the meat used for pulled pork. Misleadingly named, it comes from the upper shoulder of the pig, known for its fat marbling, which contributes to the flavor and tenderness of the meat during the slow cooking process. The bone in it helps to add flavor and moisture. (This cut is not to be confused with a picnic roast, which is leaner.)
- Spice Rub: This blend of seasoning and spices, including salt, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, dry mustard, dark brown sugar, and black pepper, create a balanced and flavorful BBQ crust on the pork during cooking.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
What You’ll Need To Make Barbecue Sauce
- Ketchup: Serves as the base of the sauce, providing a rich tomato flavor and a smooth texture.
- Cider Vinegar: Adds a tangy, fruity acidity that balances the sweetness of the sauce.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Contributes a deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps create a thick, sticky consistency.
- Spicy Brown Mustard: Adds a tangy, spicy element that complements the sweetness.
- Garlic: Provides a savory, aromatic flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper: Offers a spicy kick that complements the sweetness.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
To begin, preheat the oven to 300°F and set an oven rack in the lower-middle position.
Pat the pork dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, combine the salt, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, dry mustard, brown sugar, and pepper in a small bowl.
Mix until evenly combined.
Place the pork in a roasting pan. Rub the spice blend all over the pork, turning to coat evenly (don’t leave any of the spice blend in the bottom of the pan; keep turning the meat until it all adheres). Roast for 6 to 6-1/2 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork registers 195°F.
While the pork roasts, make the barbecue sauce. Combine the ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, garlic, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan over medium heat.
Simmer gently, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened, about ten minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit until the pork is done.
When the pork is done, take it out of the oven and set it on a cutting board or platter; tent with aluminum foil and let rest for about 10 minutes.
Pour off and discard the fat from the roasting pan (remember the handles are hot). Add 3/4 cup water to the roasting pan and set it over a single burner on medium heat; scrape with a wooden spoon to release all the brown bits. Cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the liquid is reduced by about half. (The liquid will be very dark; that’s okay.)
Pour into the saucepan with the barbecue sauce and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
While the pork is still warm, use two forks to pull the meat away from the bone into large shreds. Remove and discard any large pieces of fat or sinew.
Put the shredded pork in a large bowl or dish and pour about two-thirds of the barbecue sauce over it. Toss so that the pork is evenly coated with the sauce. Taste and add more sauce, little by little, if desired.
To serve, spoon the pulled pork onto the bottom half of each bun. Pass the remaining barbecue sauce on the side.
My starting point for this recipe was Tyler Florence’s Pulled Pork Barbecue recipe on Food Network. I used my own spice rub and barbecue sauce, but the cooking method is identical to the original recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
I would guesstimate a little over an hour per pound, but remember, this is just an estimate! The real key to perfect pulled pork isn’t the clock but rather the internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer with a remote probe and cook until the internal temperature reaches 195°F.
If you can only find boneless pork butt, you can still make delicious pulled pork. You’ll need a 4 to 5 pound boneless roast.
Yes, pulled pork can be made up to 4 days ahead of time. It actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. When ready to serve, if you’re reheating just a few servings, toss the pork in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a bit more sauce if the pork seems dry, and cover the dish with a plate or lid. Microwave the pork for one to two minutes, or until hot. To reheat a larger quantity, place the pork in a baking dish and add a bit more sauce if the pork seems dry. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in a 250°F-oven for about 30 minutes, or until hot.
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Pulled Pork with Tangy Barbecue Sauce
Learn to make pit-worthy pulled pork without a smoker—this easy recipe guides you to succulent, slow-roasted pork with a flavorful bark and tangy-sweet sauce that rivals your favorite barbecue spot.
Ingredients
For the Pork
- One 5- to 6-pound bone-in pork butt (sometimes called Boston butt; see note)
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Tangy Barbecue Sauce
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons ketchup
- ¾ cup cider vinegar
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¾ cup water, for deglazing the roasting pan
For Serving
- 12 hamburger buns (lightly toasted and buttered, if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F and set an oven rack in the lower-middle position.
- Pat the pork dry with paper towels.
- Mix the salt, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, dry mustard, brown sugar, and pepper in a small bowl. Place the pork in a roasting pan. Rub the spice blend all over the pork, turning to coat evenly (don't leave any of the spice blend in the bottom of the pan; keep turning the meat until it all adheres).
- Roast, uncovered, for 6 to 6½ hours, or until the meat is fork-tender and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork registers 195°F.
- While the pork roasts, make the barbecue sauce. Combine the ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, garlic, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer gently, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened, about ten minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit until the pork is done.
- When the pork is done, take it out of the oven and set it on a cutting board or platter; tent with aluminum foil and let rest for about 10 minutes.
- Pour off and discard the fat from the roasting pan (remember the handles are hot). Add ¾ cup water to the roasting pan and set it over a single burner on medium heat; scrape with a wooden spoon to release all the brown bits. Cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the liquid is reduced by about half. (The liquid will be very dark; that's okay.) Pour into the saucepan with the barbecue sauce and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
- While the pork is still warm, use two forks to pull the meat away from the bone into large shreds. Remove and discard any large pieces of fat or sinew. Put the shredded pork in a large bowl or dish and pour about two-thirds of the barbecue sauce over it. Toss so that the pork is evenly coated with the sauce. Taste and add more sauce, little by little, if desired.
- To serve, spoon the pulled pork onto the bottom half of each bun. Pass the remaining barbecue sauce on the side.
- Note: Pork butt (which is also sometimes called Boston butt) is misleadingly named; it does not come from the rear end of the pig. Rather, it comes from the thicker, well-marbled upper shoulder. It is not to be confused with a picnic roast, which comes from the lower end of the shoulder and is a bit leaner. If you can only find a boneless butt, that's okay.
- Make-Ahead Instructions: The pork can be made entirely ahead of time and stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat just a few servings of pulled pork, toss the pork in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a bit more sauce if the pork seems dry, and cover the dish with a plate or lid. Microwave the pork for one to two minutes, or until hot. To reheat a larger quantity, place the pork in a baking dish and add a bit more sauce if the pork seems dry. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in a 250°F-oven for about 30 minutes, or until hot.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: Place the pulled pork in a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (12 servings)
- Serving size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 485
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Sugar: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Sodium: 691 mg
- Cholesterol: 89 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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This was delicious! I like the concept of pulled pork but rarely actually like it when I have it. That’s what comes of being super picky about type and amount of barbeque sauce. This one will be added to the list of acceptable pulled pork! It’s great with toasted sourdough and coleslaw. The pork itself was excellent and a manageable size for my toaster oven (just loosely covered it with foil to prevent outright burning from being so close to the elements). The barbeque sauce, while not my elusive ideal, was quite good. I added 2-3 tbsp molasses since I like a darker flavour. The sweet and tangyness is such a good combo.
Can a tenderloin be used with good results?
Hi Kathryn, Unfortunately, pork tenderloin won’t work here — sorry!
Followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfectly. Great flavor, beautiful bark, delicious sauce. The whole family enjoyed it!
If i have 3 pounds of pork butt with bone in how long would i cook it
Hi Jessica, I’d guesstimate it would need about 3 hours in the oven but to be sure, use a thermometer and insert it the thickest part of the pork. When it registers 195°F, you’re good to go. Enjoy!
I’m planning to make this over the weekend, but I’m using my brother in law’s Carolina BBQ sauce. About how many cups does the sauce on this recipe make? Just so that when I add the cooking liquid I don’t dilute the flavor by using more bbq sauce than intended. Thanks so much!
Hi, I’d guesstimate it makes about 3 cups.
Hi there, planning on making the pulled pork on Sunday. I have a boneless 9lb shoulder blade. Would I be better off to cut it in half and cook two 4 1/2lb pieces or leave it whole.
Can’t wait to try this the recipe looks so yummy. Was thinking it might take close to 8 hours to cook. Thoughts?
Hi Deb, I’d cut it into two pieces. Hope you enjoy!
Delicious Recipe! Both the rub and the BBQ sauce smelled wonderful. Even though I altered the cooking method slightly to accommodate my available time before dinner, the pork was perfect. Served as pulled pork sliders using pan-grilled King’s Hawaiian Rolls topped with your coleslaw recipe and dill pickle, extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping, and extra-crispy tater tots. Great comfort food for an early fall chilly evening.
As a follow-up, I used the leftover pulled pork for pulled pork tacos on pan-grilled soft tortillas. The BBQ sauce from the original pulled pork was enough flavoring so I only added a splash of stock to loosen it a bit while reheating. Served with the following garnishes: shredded savoy cabbage, thinly sliced radishes, chipotle pepper crema, diced avocados & tomatoes and crumbled feta – So yummy! It’s great having recipes that can serve multiple meals in multiple formats.
Wow! I made this recipe tonight for the family! It is delicious and so much better than the local bbq places! A new favorite and I can hardly wait to make it again. Thank you!
Hi there, I cooked 15 pounds of pork for a party and followed the recipe(x3). The sauce seemed a bit too vinegary, good but just a little too much. The party is tomorrow. How can I bring this vinegar flavor down just a little? More catsup, brown sugar??? Thanks for your help!!! Joan
Hi Joan, Yes more of each should do the trick. I would just taste it again before adjusting, as the tangy flavor may mellow out as it sits. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much Jenn for the quick response! I’m serving your Pulled Pork, Baked Ziti with Sausage, Slow-Roasted Salmon with French Herb Salsa and Summer Berry Trifle! Lots of family coming for a mixed Pot-Luck and they all have different food preferences but will find something great to eat with a Jenn Segal recipe!
I can’t find a bone-in anywhere. Can I make with boneless? If so, what weight for 12 people and how long to cook?
Sure, I’d get a 4 to 5 lb pork butt. The timing may be slightly different but I’m not sure by how much — to remove any guesswork, I’d use a thermometer and insert it the thickest part of the pork. When it registers 195°F, you’re good to go. Please LMK how it turns out!
Hi Jen,
Excited to try this recipe! Unfortunately our oven can’t fit a roasting pan but we do have a dutch oven. Do I follow the recipe as is using the dutch oven? Or are there adjustments?
Thanks for all your delicious recipes!
Hi Kalina, a Dutch oven is fine — just remember to keep it uncovered while it’s roasting. Hope you enjoy!
Hi Jen,
Love this recipe! Any chance this would work with beef? If so, what type of beef, how many lbs and what would be the cook time?
Thanks for all your amazing recipes!
Glad you like the recipes! Yes, I think this would work with beef. I’d go with the same amount of chuck roast and cooking time should be about the same. Please LMK how it turns out!
I made this with using only a 2 lb blade in pork shoulder because that’s what I had on hand. I saved the extra spice rub to use in another dish. This technique provided an “oh wow” crust when sampling it straight from the oven. Can’t wait to make it again with a larger piece of pork. It will go into the rotation of family favorites.
If I were to half this recipe, by how much would I cut the cooking time? (family of three here)
Hi Erin, I’d guesstimate it would need 3 to 4 hours in the oven but to be sure, use a thermometer and insert it the thickest part of the pork. When it registers 195°F, you’re good to go. Hope that helps!
I’m gonna do the Latin-style roast pork from your cookbook, but am not a fan of pork. Would beef chuck roast work in that recipe as well as this one? Thank you for your help in advance Chef!
Hi Shannon, I’ve never tried it so I can’t say for sure, but I think it should work. I’d love to hear how it comes out!
Hello! Love all your recipes! I have 7lbs of cubed boneless pork butt; would it work in this recipe and do I need to make any changes, perhaps to cooking time?
Many thanks!
Hi Nina, So glad you like the recipes! I think your pork will work — the cooking time will be different but I don’t know by how much, so you’ll just need to keep an eye on it (you’ll know it’s done when it’s fork tender). I hope it comes out well!
Hi Jenn, I have made this many times, family and friends say it’s better than ones made in a smoker! I made one yesterday with a 9 lb. pork butt so plenty of leftovers to freeze. 🙂 My question is, there isn’t any sauce left…can I make more without having a pan to deglaze and still get a good sauce?
I have both of your cookbooks those recipes are just as good as the ones you post here…Thank you for all of the wonderful recipes!!!
Hi Sharon, thanks for your very kind words about the recipes and support of the cookbooks! 💗
You can make more BBQ sauce to serve with the leftovers even if you don’t have drippings. It won’t have the same depth of flavor but will still be good.
Thank you for your quick reply…and you’re right it turned out good but not as good as it is with the pan drippings.
Hi!! What are your suggestions cooking this in a crockpot? Could I combine all the ingredient and slow cook for 6-8 hours?
Hi Megan, It will work but you won’t get the nice bark on the outside.
I have a 3 lb boneless Boston butt. What changes should I make?
Hi Cynthia, You can cut the ingredients in half. In terms of baking time, I’d guesstimate it will need about 4 hours but to be sure, use a thermometer and insert it the thickest part of the pork. When it registers 195°F, you’re good to go. Hope that helps!
Hi Jen. I tried this recipe for the first time tonight. I have a tried-and-true pulled pork recipe that I have always used, but I thought your recipe sounded amazing, and mine does NOT start with a dry rub … so, I gave it a go. I follow your recipes quite precisely and I have to say, it turned out beautifully! I used a 6.5 lb New York shoulder, slow roasted for 6.5 hours and it was a perfect cook! The bark was lovely (my usual recipe cooks in the slow cooker, so there was not the same kind of delicious bark). The sauce was nice and tangy. This will be my new go-to Pulled Pork recipe. BTW, I recently purchased your Weeknight Weekend cookbook and I am spending WAY too much time browsing and tagging the recipes I will try! Thanks for your exceptional writing/recipes!
So glad it turned out well, Lori! And glad you’re enjoying the cookbook. 😊
I love this recipe! My grocery store had only a 7 1/2 pound pork butt. How would you recommend adjusting the cooking time? Thanks in advance!
Hi Alice, I would guesstimate you’ll need to cook it for about 7 hours, but to be sure use a thermometer and insert it the thickest part of the pork. When it registers 195°F, it’s done. BTW, if you find that it’s getting too browned during that extra time in the oven, feel free to cover it loosely with foil. Enjoy!
Hi Jen!
I’ve made this recipe several times and it is delicious! I was looking at another recipe and it recommended scoring the fat cap with a sharp knife prior to seasoning, presumably to let the spice mixture penetrate the meat more deeply. Have you ever tried that, or do you have thoughts on whether it would be effective?
Glad you like it! I haven’t tried what you mentioned, but I think it’s a good idea and worth giving a whirl. 🙂
I have a 7 lb BONELESS pork shoulder. Would this work as well – any changes needed?
Thanks Jenn for ALL your perfect recipes.
Tannis
Hi Tannis, I haven’t used a boneless cut, but I think it will work. The timing may be slightly different — to remove any guesswork, I’d use a thermometer and insert it the thickest part of the pork. When it registers 195°F, you’re good to go. Please LMK how it turns out!
I have a 10 pound pork loin, will that work as well?
Hi Vicki, I wouldn’t recommend pork loin for this — sorry!
Hi Jen- I cooked this yesterday to serve this weekend, and it is delicious! Thanks for the great recipe. But, I have a question. I bought a 9 lb bone in pork butt and prior to cooking I trimmed off about 1 lb of fat, so an 8 lb pork butt went in the oven. I slow roasted for about 7.5 hours and it turned out great. However, by the time I got rid of the bone and the fat, there was only about 2.5 lbs of pulled pork. (I did also pour a good bit of rendered fat/grease out of the pan when done.) I was shocked I only got 2.5 lbs of pulled pork.
Is that an unusual ratio of start to finished product? Maybe I did something wrong? Would appreciate your thoughts! Thanks again for the great recipes!!
Hi Dan, I’ve actually never weighed the amount of meat left after cooking pork on the bone. I suspect the bone contributes a lot to the weight and if you trimmed a fair amount of fat, that would reduce the volume you were left with. All in all, what you’re describing doesn’t sound very far off (and I don’t think you did anything wrong).
Thank you, Jenn! I will definitely cook again. Love your recipes and your cookbooks!
Hi Jenn! The smallest size Boston Butt I could find was 7.5lbs. How long would you estimate that to cook for at 300 degrees? 8-8.5 hours?
Hi Scott, I’d estimate you’ll need to cook it for about 7 hours, but to be certain, I’d use a thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the pork. When it registers 195°F, it’s done. And if you find that it’s getting too brown during that extra time in the oven, feel free to cover it loosely with foil. Hope you enjoy!
Hi Jenn, I cannot find spicy brown mustard where I live. What type of mustard would be a suitable substitute? Thanks
Hi Rilla, Dijon (or really any other mustard) would be fine here. Hope you enjoy!
Skipped the barbecue sauce and used the meat for tacos with some salsa. Yum!
I always follow these recipes to the letter, because they are usually perfect. Even though 4 tsp didn’t sound like much I found it too salty. I will reduce the amount the next time.
I smoked the shoulder for 2 hours on my grill and then finished it in the oven. It was spectacular! the seasonings are great and don’t overwhelm the pork. I skipped the barbeque sauce and used a mustard vinegar sauce that was perfect with it. Will definitely make it again!
Hi Jenn,
Could you add liquid smoke to make it have that more smoky taste? Thank you!
I’ve never used liquid smoke, but I think you could get away with using a little of it. Hope you enjoy!
The meat was delish, but I can’t believe the amount of cider vinegar called for in the sauce recipe is correct. It was so tart I couldn’t even taste test it without crying.