The timeless classic, the pulled pork sandwich, is a beloved dish that needs no introduction. Whether you’re enjoying it for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast (why not?), this recipe has been a crowd-pleaser for generations. So, let’s dive into the art of crafting the perfect pulled pork sandwich.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours and 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
For the Pork:
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 12-ounce can lager beer
For the Sauce:
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
To Serve:
- Six buns
Instructions:
- Preparing the Pork:
- Begin by prepping the pork shoulder. Trim it and cut it into sizable pieces.
- In a mixing bowl, blend brown sugar, kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, and freshly cracked black pepper. Ensure all the spices are well combined.
- Massage this spice mixture evenly over the pork pieces and let them rest.
- Searing the Pork:
- Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil.
- Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion and sauté it until it becomes translucent.
- In batches, sear the pork in the Dutch oven, making sure each piece attains a delightful, golden-brown crust.
- Slow-Cooking the Pork:
- Pour the lager beer into the Dutch oven and cover the pork pieces with the lid.
- Allow this aromatic brew to simmer for approximately 3 hours until the pork becomes tender.
- Shredding and Simmering:
- Retrieve the tender pork from the Dutch oven and use two forks to effortlessly shred it into succulent strands.
- In a separate mixing bowl, mix the drippings from the Dutch oven with apple cider vinegar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Return this sauce to the Dutch oven and add the shredded pork. Let it all simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Assembling the Sandwiches:
- Take the pulled pork and generously coat it with the homemade BBQ sauce.
- Serve the pulled pork on buns, with extra BBQ sauce on the side.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories: 563
- Fat: 17g
- Protein: 45g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 26g
Keep in mind that these nutritional values are approximate and can vary depending on factors like the brands of ingredients used and portion sizes.
Cooking Tips:
- Don’t rush the searing step; it adds depth of flavor to the pork.
- Use a good-quality lager beer for a richer taste.
- Adjust the sugar and spice levels in the sauce to suit your preferences.
- Serve with coleslaw or pickles for that classic combo.
- Leftover pulled pork freezes well for future sandwiches or other dishes.