Final Up to date July 11, 2021
Mopping the kitchen sucks, however mopping a pork butt with a tangy vinegar sauce to create Carolina Pulled Pork is a chore I’m down for.
Which pork reduce to make use of
The most effective meat for pulled pork is pork butt, which can even be known as Boston butt or pork shoulder. It appears complicated, however pork butt doesn’t truly come from the hog’s rear. It comes from its higher shoulder.
You will discover it bone-in or boneless. For this recipe, it doesn’t matter which one your select. The bone-in will improve the flavour, however it’ll take longer to prepare dinner in comparison with the boneless butt.
When choosing by way of the meat case, learn the label carefully. Pork butt is commonly cased subsequent to the pork picnic, which can even be known as picnic shoulder. It’s reduce from the decrease a part of the hog’s shoulder, nearer to the leg. You possibly can prepare dinner a picnic sluggish and low, too, but it surely gained’t prove precisely just like the pulled pork you’re used to.
What makes Carolina pulled pork completely different?
There are truthfully a number of methods to make pulled pork, and even Carolina pulled pork varies regionally from South and North Carolina. My recipe is a convergence of the tastes of the Carolinas that I really like – vinegar + mustard.
Earlier than I realized to grill, I used to make use of a Paula Deen recipe to make conventional pulled pork. It cooked within the oven in a coated pot with sliced onions. I’ve additionally used the sluggish cooker a time or two. However now, all of my cooking is just about completed outdoor on the grill.
With conventional smoked pulled pork, you often rub the meat, smoke it, braise it and brush it with sauce.
With Carolina pulled pork, you baste it all through the preliminary smoking interval with a vinegar-based mop sauce. The vinegar pairs with the sweetness of the pork and provides great taste to the meat that you just simply don’t get from smoking alone.
Then, as an alternative of ending it with a candy purple BBQ sauce, it’s dipped in additional of the mop sauce or Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce.
The right way to Smoke Carolina Pulled Pork
INJECT
This step is optionally available, however I discover to get actually juicy meat, it helps to inject it with a few of the mop sauce. I just like the OXO flavor injector, as a result of it has a big sufficient needle for any massive chunks of seasoning to go by way of.
RUB
Each good butt deserves an excellent rub – sorry I couldn’t resist. I all the time use a beneficiant quantity of my Pk Rub all around the butt. Let that relaxation on the counter whilst you hearth up your smoker.
SMOKE
You possibly can set your smoker anyplace between 225-275F levels. Gentle woods or wooden pellets like pecan and apple go nice with pork.
In case you smoke it at 225F, it’ll clearly take longer to prepare dinner, however it’ll choose up extra smoke taste. I personally wish to prepare dinner my Carolina pulled pork at 275F. I discover it has loads of smoke taste and cooks considerably sooner.
MOP
Each hour or so, gently brush the highest and sides of the pork butt with the mop sauce. Keep in mind, that is your taste enhancer.
BRAISE
In case you smoke the pork at 275F, someplace across the 4-hour-mark, you will note the outer floor of the meat begin to harden and switch a wealthy mahogany colour. This implies it’s time for the braise.
Place the pork butt in a big aluminum pan, and pour the remainder of the mop across the edges. Cowl it with foil, and return it to the smoker.
Proceed cooking it, till the interior temperature of the meat reaches 197-203F levels. Wherever in that window is nice. Relying on how massive your pork butt is and the temp of your grill, this might take anyplace from 2-4 extra hours.
PULL
As soon as your pork butt reaches temp, pull the pan off the grill and let it relaxation for an excellent 30-60 minutes. Then, seize some meat shredding claws and pull the meat aside.
SAUCE
You possibly can serve your Carolina pulled pork plain or with sauce, however for the complete Carolina expertise, I like drizzling the meat with Carolina Mustard BBQ sauce.
Pile it excessive on a plate or on a bun with an enormous dollop of coleslaw.
Carolina Pulled Pork
Mopping the kitchen sucks, however mopping a pork butt with a tangy vinegar sauce to create Carolina Pulled Pork is a chore I am down for.
Directions
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Rub the pork butt liberally with the Pork Rub. Let relaxation whilst you warmth your smoker to 275F.
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Place the pork on the smoker with the fats aspect down.
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Each hour, baste the pork with the vinegar mop sauce.
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After about 4 hours, it ought to kind a mahogany bark. Place the pork butt in an aluminum pan. Pour the remaining mop across the edges of the butt. Cowl tightly with foil and return to the smoker.
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Proceed cooking till the interior temperature reaches 197-203F levels. This may take 2-4 hours, relying on the dimensions of your pork butt.
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Take away and let relaxation for 30-60 minutes.
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Pull the pork and serve with Carolina mustard BBQ sauce.
Vitamin
Energy: 361kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 43gFats: 13gSaturated Fats: 5gTrans Fats: 1gLdl cholesterol: 136mgSodium: 515mgPotassium: 852mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 3mg
