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North Carolina Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

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North Carolina Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This recipe for an indoor slow cooked (Crockpot) pulled pork takes inspiration from North Carolina. Instead of ham hocks it uses bacon and liquid smoke.

 

Yield

8 servings

Prep

15 min

Cook

9 hrs

Ready

10 hrs

Ingredients

Amount Measure Ingredient Features
Spice rub
3 ½ tablespoons paprika
smoked
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3 tablespoons brown sugar
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2 tablespoons chili powder
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1 tablespoon cumin
ground
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3 teaspoons black pepper
fresh ground
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2 teaspoons salt
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Pulled pork
4 pounds pork shoulder
boston butt or picnic shoulder
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½ pound bacon
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1 pint chicken broth
low-salt version
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Carolina bbq sauce
¾ cup apple cider vinegar
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½ cup ketchup
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3 tablespoons brown sugar
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1 teaspoon liquid smoke
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Ingredients

Amount Measure Ingredient Features
Spice rub
53 ml paprika
smoked
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45 ml brown sugar
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3E+1 ml chili powder
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15 ml cumin
ground
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15 ml black pepper
fresh ground
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1E+1 ml salt
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Pulled pork
1.8 kg pork shoulder
boston butt or picnic shoulder
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226.8 g bacon
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473 ml chicken broth
low-salt version
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Carolina bbq sauce
177 ml apple cider vinegar
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118 ml ketchup
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45 ml brown sugar
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5 ml liquid smoke
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Directions

First make the dry spice rub.

In a small bowl mix together the smoked paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, ground cumin, black pepper and salt to create the spice rub.

In a small bowl mix them all together.

Partly cut through the pork, fat cap down, then thickly butterfly slightly to help ensure the spice rub is able to penetrate throughout the pork shoulder.

Next prepare the pork.
Rub thoroughly all over with the spice rub.

Rub thoroughly all over with the spice rub. Make sure to get it into every nook and cranny. Then fold the pork back together into it's original shape before it was cut. Place into a large zipper bag (or suitable container), refrigerate overnight. If using a container be sure to cover the pork tightly with plastic wrap so it won't dry out.

Then fold the pork back together into it's original shape before it was cut.
Place into a large zipper bag (or suitable container), refrigerate overnight.

Line the bottom of a slow cooker/Crockpot with the slices of bacon. We like to use maple smoked bacon.

Place the pork shoulder into the slow cooker, packing down as far as possible, fat cap facing up, and add the chicken stock.

Time to cook.

Cook at LOW setting for 8 to 10 hours. DO NOT USE HIGH SETTING. Slow and low only.

If making in advance you can transfer the pork and cooking liquid into a large bowl and refrigerate for up to 2 to 3 days. When ready to serve, remove any solidified fat and re-heat in a dutch oven over low heat until heated through and continue with the recipe.

Lift the pork out and onto a baking sheet. When cool enough to handle shred, discarding excess fat.

Make the sauce

Delicious!

Transfer the liquid in the slow cooker through a strainer into a medium saucepan. Allow to settle and skim off as much fat as possible with a ladle or large spoon.

Turn heat to medium-high and bring to the boil, reduce until the remaining liquid is about 1 cup, about 30 minutes.

Add the cider vinegar, ketchup and brown sugar, simmer for 2 minutes and remove from heat. Stir in the liquid smoke.

Spoon about 1¼ cups of the sauce over the pulled pork and let stand to absorb, about 10 minutes.

Taste, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Serve on buns or bread with the sauce on the side.



* not incl. in nutrient facts Arrow up button

Comments


Stephen Harvey

Can't wait to make this

happyzhangbo   

Stephen, glad to see that you like this recipe, please let us know how yours comes out... Enjoy, and happy cooking :-)

anonymous

what if you don't have liquid smoke on hand? suggestions for a replacement or just leave it out all together?

happyzhangbo   

Liquid smoke just adds a bit smokiness to the dish, but if you don't have it on hand, just omit it. I believe the result will be still outstanding!

CabinGirl

Making for Father's Day tomorrow. Can't wait to try it!

CabinGirl

Making for Father's Day tomorrow. Can't wait to try it!

 

 

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 310g (10.9 oz)
Amount per Serving
Calories 75052% from fat
 % Daily Value *
Total Fat 43g 67%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 236mg 79%
Sodium 1608mg 67%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars g
Protein 138g
Vitamin A 42% Vitamin C 11%
Calcium 8% Iron 32%
* based on a 2,000 calorie diet How is this calculated?
 

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