Carolina Style Pulled Pork with Vinegar Sauce
Experience the quintessential taste of North Carolina with this mouthwatering Carolina Style Pulled Pork recipe. Seasoned to perfection with a homemade dry rub that combines smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors, this succulent pulled pork is slow-cooked to tender, juicy perfection. Topped with a tangy vinegar sauce and served on soft buns with a refreshing coleslaw, it’s the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for gatherings, barbecues, and game days. Bring a taste of the South to your table and delight your friends and family with each flavorful bite!
N/A
Servings
230
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
paprika
2 tablespoons (ground)
brown sugar
1 tablespoon (packed)
chili powder
1 tablespoon (ground)
ground cumin
1 tablespoon (ground)
sugar
1 tablespoon (granulated)
black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons (freshly ground)
salt
2 teaspoons (kosher)
ground red pepper
1 teaspoon (to taste)
boneless pork shoulder
1 (4-5 lb) (whole)
apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup (liquid)
white vinegar
3/4 cup (liquid)
sugar
2 tablespoons (granulated)
red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon (to taste)
hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon (to taste)
salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, combine paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, ground cumin, sugar, black pepper, salt, and ground red pepper. This will be your dry rub.
2
Rub the dry spice mixture generously over the entire surface of the boneless pork shoulder, ensuring it's well coated.
3
Preheat your grill to low heat or your oven to 225°F (110°C). Place the pork on the grill or in a roasting pan in the oven.
4
Cook the pork for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of about 170°F (77°C). Use a meat thermometer for accurate readings.
5
Once cooked, remove the pork from the grill or oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
6
Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces.
7
In a separate bowl, combine apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, additional sugar, red pepper flakes, hot pepper sauce, and a dash of salt and pepper to create the vinegar sauce.
8
Mix the shredded pork with a generous amount of the vinegar sauce, ensuring it’s well-coated.
9
Serve the pulled pork on soft buns, topping each sandwich with coleslaw and some extra vinegar sauce as desired.
Nutrition Information
11g
Fat
14g
Carbs
13g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carolina Style Pulled Pork?
Carolina Style Pulled Pork is a quintessential North Carolina dish featuring slow-cooked pork shoulder seasoned with a dry rub and finished with a signature tangy vinegar-based sauce.
What ingredients are in the homemade dry rub?
The dry rub consists of paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, ground cumin, granulated sugar, black pepper, salt, and ground red pepper.
How should I apply the dry rub to the pork?
You should rub the dry spice mixture generously over the entire surface of the boneless pork shoulder to ensure it is well coated before cooking.
What is the recommended cooking temperature?
Preheat your grill to low heat or your oven to 225°F (110°C) for the best slow-cooked results.
What internal temperature should the pork reach?
The pork is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of approximately 170°F (77°C).
How long does the pork take to cook?
The pork typically takes between 2.5 to 3 hours to reach the desired internal temperature of 170°F.
Should I let the pork rest after cooking?
Yes, once removed from the grill or oven, you should let the pork rest for 10 minutes before shredding it.
How do I shred the pulled pork?
The most effective way is to use two forks to pull and shred the pork into bite-sized pieces.
What ingredients are in the vinegar sauce?
The sauce is a mixture of apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes, hot pepper sauce, and a dash of salt and pepper.
How do I prepare the vinegar sauce?
Combine the vinegars, sugar, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, and seasonings in a separate bowl and mix well.
How is the sauce incorporated into the meat?
After shredding, mix the pork with a generous amount of the vinegar sauce to ensure every piece is well-coated.
How should this dish be served?
Serve the sauced pulled pork on soft buns topped with refreshing coleslaw and extra vinegar sauce if desired.
What cut of meat is best for this recipe?
A 4-5 lb whole boneless pork shoulder is recommended for this recipe.
How many calories are in a serving of this pulled pork?
There are approximately 230 calories per serving.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
Each serving contains about 11g of fat.
How much protein is in each serving?
This recipe provides approximately 13g of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 14g of carbohydrates per serving.
What gives the pork its smoky flavor?
The combination of the paprika in the dry rub and the slow-cooking process provides the smoky profile.
Is the vinegar sauce spicy?
It has a mild to moderate kick depending on how much red pepper flakes and hot pepper sauce you add.
What is the primary flavor profile of the sauce?
The sauce is characterized by its tangy, acidic vinegar base balanced with a hint of sugar and spice.
Can I cook this recipe in the oven if I don't have a grill?
Yes, you can cook the pork in a roasting pan in the oven at 225°F (110°C).
Is this recipe suitable for game days?
Absolutely, it is listed as an ultimate comfort food perfect for gatherings, barbecues, and game days.
What are the common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include Southern, pulled pork, barbecue, slow-cooked, and vinegar sauce.
How many ingredients are required in total?
There are 15 ingredients used in this recipe, including the meat, spices, and sauce components.
Do I need any specialized equipment?
A meat thermometer is recommended to ensure the pork reaches the correct internal temperature.
What type of vinegar should I use?
This recipe uses a blend of both apple cider vinegar and white vinegar.
Is the pork shoulder boneless or bone-in?
This specific recipe calls for a boneless pork shoulder.
What type of sugar is used in the rub?
The dry rub uses both packed brown sugar and granulated sugar.
Can I adjust the amount of red pepper?
Yes, the ground red pepper, red pepper flakes, and hot pepper sauce are all listed to be used 'to taste'.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The specific serving size is not provided, but the recipe uses a 4-5 lb pork shoulder, making it ideal for groups.