Pulled Pork Shoulder

This grilled main dish with its peppery, vinegary sauce take its cues from the barbecues of North and South Carolina.


Pulled Pork Shoulder

by 10  people


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Servings: Makes 12
Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 4 hrs 30 mins

 
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Ingredients
  • 6 to 8
    hickory wood chunks or 3 cups hickory wood chips
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  • 1/3 cup
    Davis Dry Rub (see below)
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  • 1 5- to 5-1/2-lb.
    boneless pork shoulder roast (sold in some regions as Boston butt)
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  • 1 recipe
    Vinegar Barbecue Sauce
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  • 12 to 18
    soft white hamburger buns
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  •  
    Bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)
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  •  
    Kohlrabi Coleslaw (see Recipe Center)
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Directions
1.
Smoker Instructions: At least 1 hour before smoke-cooking, soak wood chunks or chips in enough water to cover. Drain before using.
2.
Sprinkle Davis Dry Rub evenly over meat; rub in with your fingers. In a smoker arrange preheated coals, drained wood chunks, and water pan according to manufacturer's directions. Pour water into pan. Place roast on the grill rack over water pan. Cover; smoke for 4 to 5 hours or until roast is very tender. Add additional coals and water as needed to maintain temperature and moisture. (Do not add more wood after the first 2 hours of smoking. Too much smoke makes roast bitter.)
3.
Remove roast from smoker. Cover roast with foil; let stand for 15 minutes. Using two forks, gently pull the roast into long thin strands. Mix about 1-1/2 cups Vinegar Barbecue Sauce with the pork to slightly moisten the meat.
4.
To serve, pile pork onto buns. Sprinkle with hot pepper sauce. Serve with remaining Vinegar Barbecue sauce and Kohlrabi Coleslaw. Makes 12 (4-1/4-ounce) to 18 servings.

25 SERVINGS
Prepare two 5- to 5-1/2-pound boneless pork shoulder roasts. Smoke two roasts at a time on a smoker or grill. Prepare Vinegar Barbecue Sauce for 25. Pull pork as in Step 3. To serve, combine each pulled roast with 1-1/2 cups sauce in a 4-quart Dutch oven. Replenish pork as needed, do not allow meat to sit out for more than 2 hours.

50 SERVINGS
Prepare four 5- to 5-1/2-pound boneless pork shoulder roasts. Smoke two roasts at a time on a smoker or grill. Prepare Vinegar Barbecue Sauce for 50. Pull pork as in Step 3. To serve, combine each pulled roast with 1-1/2 cups sauce in a 4-quart Dutch oven. Replenish pork as needed, do not allow meat to sit out more than two hours.

GAS GRILL INSTRUCTIONS
tart with a full tank of propane. Adjust heat for indirect cooking over medium-low heat. Add soaked wood chunks according to manufacturer's directions. Or wrap in foil and add to grill. Place pork shoulder on a rack in a roasting pan; set pan on grill rack over the unlit burner. Add 1/2 inch of water to pan. Cover and smoke 4 hours or until very tender, adding water to pan if necessary. Do not add more wood after the first 2 hours of smoking. Serve as directed above.

CHARCOAL GRILL INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare grill for indirect grilling. Arrange medium-hot coals around a foil pan. Fill drip pan with 1-inch of hot water. Test for medium heat above the drip pan. Add presoaked chunks or chips to coals. Place roast on grill rack and cover. Smoke as directed above, making sure to check food, temperature, and water once every hour. Do not add more wood after the first 2 hours of smoking. Serve as directed above.

Test Kitchen Tip
To make ahead, prepare as above through Step 3. Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat in a Dutch oven over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Davis Dry Rub
In a small bowl stir together 1/ 2 cup paprika, 1/3 cup black pepper, 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup chili powder, 1/4 cup ground cumin, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar, and 2 Tbsp. cayenne pepper. Transfer to a small airtight container or bag. Store at room temperature up to 6 months.

Nutrition information
Per serving: Calories 439, Total Fat 15 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Monounsaturated Fat 6 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 125 mg, Sodium 1012 mg, Carbohydrate 34 g, Total Sugar 10 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 42 g. Daily Values: Vitamin A 0%, Vitamin C 3%, Calcium 10%, Iron 26%. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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