How To Make The Best Pulled Pork In Massachusetts
December 9, 2024
Cambridge, VA: Here is one of the best Pulled Pork recipes out there!
Here Is What Most People Don’t Know About Making Pulled Pork:
- Choose the Right Cut: Pork shoulder (also known as pork butt or Boston butt) is ideal for pulled pork due to its marbling and connective tissue, which breaks down during slow cooking, resulting in tender, juicy meat.
- Dry Rub Adds Deep Flavor: Applying a dry rub to the pork and letting it sit for a few hours or overnight infuses the meat with flavor, creating a delicious crust during cooking.
- Low and Slow is Essential: Cooking the pork at a low temperature for an extended period allows the meat to become fall-apart tender and soak up all the flavors.
- Bald Buck Seasoning: For this dish, we replace our salt with Bald Buck Seasoning
Ingredients:
- 4-5 lb. pork shoulder (pork butt), bone-in or boneless
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Bald Buck Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 large onion, sliced
- Barbecue sauce (optional, for serving)
- Buns or rolls (for serving)
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Bald Buck Seasoning, black pepper, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper, if using. Rub this mixture all over the pork shoulder, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Place the sliced onion in the bottom of a large roasting pan or Dutch oven. Position the pork shoulder on top of the onions. Pour the apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce around the pork.
- Cover the pan tightly with a lid or aluminum foil and roast in the preheated oven for 4-5 hours, or until the pork is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
- Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Transfer the pork to a large cutting board and shred it using two forks, discarding any excess fat.
- Mix some of the pan juices with the shredded pork to keep it moist and flavorful. Add barbecue sauce if desired and stir to combine.
- Serve the pulled pork on buns or rolls with extra barbecue sauce, if desired.