Savory Spicy Carolina Pulled Pork Delight
Indulge in the rich and robust flavors of this Savory Spicy Carolina Pulled Pork Delight, a culinary adventure that brings the taste of the South to your kitchen. This recipe is inspired by authentic Carolina-style pulled pork, learned during a vibrant native American festival. With a perfect blend of spices, tangy vinegar, and the succulent tenderness of slow-cooked pork, this dish will leave your taste buds dancing. It's excellent for gatherings, weekend family meals, or simply satisfying your cravings for bold, savory flavors. Enjoy this hearty dish nestled in warm buns or served alongside classic sides, and don't forget to savor every last bit of moisture-laden, flavorful goodness. Pork fat rules, and this recipe embraces it fully for a mouthwatering experience!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Brown Sugar
3 tablespoons (lightly packed)
Paprika
2 tablespoons (smoked or sweet)
Sea Salt
2 teaspoons (to taste)
Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (freshly cracked)
Pork Shoulder
5 lbs (bone-in or boneless)
Red Wine Vinegar
1 cup (unseasoned)
Worcestershire Sauce
2 tablespoons (classic variety)
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
2 teaspoons (to taste)
Sugar
2 teaspoons (granulated)
Spicy Brown Mustard
1 tablespoon (prepared)
Garlic Powder
1 tablespoon
Cayenne Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (powdered)
Red Onions
2 (quartered)
Yellow Onions
2 (quartered)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Rub this mixture all over the pork shoulder to create a flavorful crust. Once seasoned, wrap the pork shoulder tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least a few hours, preferably overnight, to allow the spices to penetrate the meat.
2
In another bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, sugar, spicy brown mustard, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper until well combined. Set aside a small portion of this mix to drizzle over the pulled pork at the end.
3
Layer the quartered red and yellow onions evenly at the bottom of the crock pot. Remove the marinated pork shoulder from the refrigerator, unwrap it, and place it on top of the onions in the crock pot. Pour the majority of the vinegar mixture over the pork, ensuring it’s well-coated.
4
Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on the low setting for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
5
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the pork shoulder and onions to a cutting board. Discard the skin, if applicable. Using two forks (or your hands, if you're bold), shred the pork into bite-sized pieces. Chop the onions and combine them with the pulled pork.
6
For added moisture and flavor, skim some of the fat from the top of the cooking liquid under the skin, mince this fat, and mix it back into the pulled pork and onions as desired.
7
Serve the spicy pulled pork on warm buns or crusty rolls, with the reserved vinegar mixture on the side for drizzling. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Spicy Carolina Pulled Pork Delight?
It is a Carolina-style pulled pork dish that is slow-cooked with a blend of savory and spicy seasonings, tangy red wine vinegar, and onions for a robust Southern flavor.
Which cut of pork is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for a 5 lb pork shoulder, which can be either bone-in or boneless.
How long should the pork be marinated?
After applying the spice rub, the pork should be refrigerated for at least a few hours, though overnight is preferred for deeper flavor penetration.
What ingredients are in the dry rub?
The dry rub consists of brown sugar, paprika (smoked or sweet), sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
What type of vinegar is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 cup of unseasoned red wine vinegar as the primary base for the sauce.
How is the cooking liquid prepared?
Whisk together red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, sugar, spicy brown mustard, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
What role do onions play in the crock pot setup?
Quartered red and yellow onions are layered at the bottom of the crock pot to provide a flavorful base for the pork shoulder to sit on.
How long does it take to cook on the low setting?
When using the low setting on a crock pot, the pork should cook for 7 to 8 hours.
How long does it take to cook on the high setting?
On the high setting, the pork shoulder will take approximately 4 to 5 hours to become tender.
How do I shred the pork once it is cooked?
You can use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, or use your hands if the meat has cooled sufficiently.
Should I keep the fat from the cooking process?
The recipe suggests skimming some fat from the top, mincing it, and mixing it back into the shredded meat for extra moisture and flavor.
What should be done with the onions after cooking?
The cooked onions should be chopped and combined with the shredded pulled pork.
How should I serve the Carolina pulled pork?
Serve the pork on warm buns or crusty rolls, drizzled with the reserved vinegar mixture.
What kind of paprika should I use?
You can use either smoked or sweet paprika depending on your preference for a smokier or milder flavor.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
Yes, it contains red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and spicy brown mustard, though the heat can be adjusted to taste.
How much garlic powder is required?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of garlic powder.
Can I use granulated sugar instead of brown sugar for the rub?
While the recipe specifies brown sugar for the crust, granulated sugar is used separately in the vinegar mixture.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 14 ingredients in total for this recipe.
Does the pork need to be bone-in?
No, you can use either a bone-in or a boneless pork shoulder.
What is the purpose of the plastic wrap during marination?
It keeps the meat airtight and helps the spice rub adhere and penetrate the meat while it sits in the refrigerator.
Is Worcestershire sauce necessary?
Yes, it adds a savory depth (umami) that complements the vinegar and spices in the Carolina-style sauce.
Can I use only one type of onion?
The recipe suggests a mix of 2 red and 2 yellow onions for a complex flavor, but you can use what you have available.
What should I do with the pork skin?
If your pork shoulder has skin, it should be discarded after the cooking process is complete.
Is this a traditional BBQ recipe?
Yes, it is a slow-cooked Southern BBQ recipe specifically inspired by the vinegar-based traditions of Carolina cuisine.
How much red pepper flakes should I add?
The recipe recommends 2 teaspoons, but you should adjust this 'to taste' depending on your heat tolerance.
What makes the pork 'moisture-laden'?
The combination of the slow-cooking process in vinegar liquid and the addition of minced pork fat ensures the meat stays moist.
Can this be prepared as a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a one-dish meal as the meat and vegetables cook together in the same pot.
What is the texture of the finished pork?
The pork should be very tender and 'pull-apart' soft, allowing it to be easily shredded.
Is spicy brown mustard the same as yellow mustard?
No, spicy brown mustard has a coarser texture and a deeper, more pungent heat than standard yellow mustard.
Why is sea salt preferred over table salt?
Sea salt is specified for its flavor profile, though the recipe notes it should be added to taste.