Savory Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Carolina Style BBQ Sauce
Indulge in the rich flavors of our Savory Pulled Pork Sandwiches, featuring a savory West Carolina Barbecue Sauce that will tantalize your taste buds! This recipe combines tender, smoked pork shoulder with a tangy, slightly sweet sauce, making it perfect for family gatherings, picnics, or game day feasts. The dish is easy to prepare and serves generously, ensuring there's plenty to go around. Serve it on soft hamburger buns for a satisfying and hearty meal that everyone will love!
12-15
Servings
233
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
3 tablespoons (melted)
yellow onion
1/4 cup (minced)
ketchup
2 cups (none)
light brown sugar
2/3 cup (firmly packed)
yellow mustard
1/2 cup (none)
cider vinegar
1/2 cup (none)
Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons (none)
Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon (none)
boneless pork shoulder
1 (4 - 5 lb) (rolled and tied (Boston Butt))
kosher salt
to taste (none)
fresh ground black pepper
to taste (none)
hamburger buns
12-15 (for serving)
Instructions
1
Prepare the West Carolina Barbecue Sauce by melting the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the minced yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes.
2
Once the onion is translucent, add in the ketchup, light brown sugar, yellow mustard, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
3
After boiling, reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Once cooked, remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Set aside.
4
Prepare the pork by allowing it to stand at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Generously season the pork shoulder with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper on all sides.
5
Grill the pork shoulder fat side up over indirect medium heat on your grill. Cook until the internal temperature reaches between 185°F and 190°F, roughly 3-4 hours. The meat should be tender enough to pull apart easily.
6
Once cooked, remove the pork from the grill and place it on a platter. Loosely cover the meat with foil and let it rest for 20 minutes to retain its moisture.
7
After resting, pull or shred the pork into bite-sized pieces using your fingers or two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat.
8
In a mixing bowl, moisten the pulled pork with a portion of the barbecue sauce, mixing well to enhance the flavors.
9
While the pork is being prepared, grill the hamburger buns over direct medium heat until lightly toasted, about 30 seconds.
10
Serve the pulled pork warm on the toasted buns and provide the remaining sauce on the side for drizzling.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
20g
Carbs
13g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish in this recipe?
The main dish is Savory Pulled Pork Sandwiches served with a West Carolina Barbecue Sauce.
What style of barbecue sauce is featured in this recipe?
The recipe features a West Carolina Style BBQ Sauce, which is tangy and slightly sweet.
How many servings does this pulled pork recipe yield?
This recipe yields between 12 and 15 servings.
What cut of meat is recommended for these sandwiches?
The recipe recommends using a 4 to 5 pound boneless pork shoulder, specifically a rolled and tied Boston Butt.
How long does it take to grill the pork shoulder?
It takes roughly 3 to 4 hours to grill the pork shoulder until it is tender.
What internal temperature should the pork reach before it is removed from the grill?
The pork should reach an internal temperature between 185°F and 190°F.
How long should the pork rest after cooking?
The pork should rest loosely covered with foil for 20 minutes to retain its moisture.
What are the ingredients for the Carolina BBQ sauce?
The sauce includes unsalted butter, yellow onion, ketchup, light brown sugar, yellow mustard, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce.
How should the yellow onion be prepared for the sauce?
The yellow onion should be minced and then cooked in butter until translucent, which takes about 4 to 5 minutes.
How long should the BBQ sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer for approximately 10 minutes after being brought to a boil.
What type of vinegar is used in the sauce?
Cider vinegar is used to give the sauce its characteristic tangy flavor.
How should the hamburger buns be prepared for serving?
The buns should be grilled over direct medium heat until lightly toasted, which takes about 30 seconds.
Is this recipe suitable for game day or picnics?
Yes, it is described as perfect for family gatherings, picnics, or game day feasts.
How many calories are in one serving of these sandwiches?
Each serving contains approximately 233 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 13 grams of protein in each serving.
How much fat is in each sandwich?
Each sandwich contains 10 grams of fat.
How much light brown sugar is needed for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 2/3 cup of firmly packed light brown sugar.
Should the pork be cooked over direct or indirect heat?
The pork shoulder should be grilled fat side up over indirect medium heat.
What kind of salt and pepper should be used to season the meat?
The recipe suggests using kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.
How do you shred the pork?
You can pull or shred the pork into bite-sized pieces using your fingers or two forks.
What should be done with large pieces of fat after cooking?
Any large pieces of fat should be discarded when shredding the meat.
Does the BBQ sauce contain any spicy ingredients?
Yes, it contains one teaspoon of Tabasco sauce for a bit of heat.
What type of mustard is used in the Carolina sauce?
Yellow mustard is used in this recipe.
How much ketchup is required for the BBQ sauce?
The recipe requires 2 cups of ketchup.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving contains 20 grams of carbohydrates.
How much butter is needed to start the sauce?
You need 3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter.
How much minced onion is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of minced yellow onion.
How much Worcestershire sauce is added?
Two teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce are added to the mixture.
Should the pork be at room temperature before grilling?
Yes, the pork should stand at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking.
How is the barbecue sauce combined with the meat?
A portion of the sauce is mixed directly into the shredded meat to moisten it, while the rest is served on the side.