Ultimate Carolina Pulled Pork Delight
Dive into the flavors of South Carolina with the Ultimate Carolina Pulled Pork Delight! This recipe creates a heavenly combination of slow-cooked, tender pulled pork, perfectly infused with spices and a tangy sauce that will leave your taste buds dancing. Cooked overnight in a slow cooker, the pork becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, making it the perfect centerpiece for your next gathering or family meal. Paired with a generous heap of crunchy cole slaw and piled high on soft, pillowy buns, this sandwich embodies everything a great BBQ should be: messy, juicy, and undeniably delicious. Whether you're hosting a cookout or just craving something comforting, this dish serves up the quintessential Southern BBQ experience that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
27
Ingredients
Ingredients
Onions
2 (quartered)
Light Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons (none)
Paprika
1 tablespoon (none)
Salt
2 teaspoons (none)
Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Boneless Pork Butt
4-6 lbs (none)
Apple Cider Vinegar
3/4 cup (none)
Worcestershire Sauce
4 teaspoons (none)
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Dry Mustard
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Garlic Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Cayenne Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (optional (use 1/2 tsp for more heat))
American Style Yellow Mustard
1 cup (none)
Sugar
1/2 cup (none)
Light Brown Sugar
1/4 cup (none)
Apple Cider Vinegar
3/4 cup (none)
Water
1/4 cup (none)
Chili Powder
2 tablespoons (none)
Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
White Pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
Cayenne Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Soy Sauce
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Butter
2 tablespoons (none)
Liquid Smoke
1 tablespoon (none)
Buns
20 (hearty-style)
Coleslaw
1 lb (prepared)
Instructions
1
Start by placing the quartered onions at the bottom of a slow cooker to provide a flavorful base.
2
In a small bowl, mix together the light brown sugar, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture evenly over the pork roast to create a rich layer of flavor.
3
Place the seasoned pork roast on top of the onions in the slow cooker.
4
In a separate bowl, combine the apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, sugar, dry mustard, garlic salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir until well mixed.
5
Drizzle approximately half of this vinegar mixture over the pork roast and cover the slow cooker. Refrigerate the remaining mixture for later use.
6
Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 8 hours. About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, drizzle the remaining vinegar mixture over the roast.
7
While the pork is cooking, prepare the barbecue sauce. In a saucepan, mix together the remaining ingredients except for the soy sauce, butter, and liquid smoke. Allow the sauce to simmer uncovered over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8
Next, incorporate the soy sauce, butter, and liquid smoke into the sauce and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
9
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and let it rest for at least 15 minutes — the longer, the better for flavor retention.
10
While the pork rests, remove the cooked onions from the slow cooker and chop them finely.
11
Using two forks, shred the pork roast until it has a pulled texture. Combine the shredded pork with the chopped onions and a small amount of the leftover juices from the slow cooker for extra flavor.
12
Add enough of the prepared barbecue sauce to the meat mixture, ensuring each piece is well-coated and packed with flavor.
13
To assemble your sandwiches, spread barbecue sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Layer generously with pulled pork, followed by more barbecue sauce, and finish with a heaping serving of your favorite cole slaw on top.
14
Top with the bun lid that has also been drizzled with extra barbecue sauce. Serve immediately with plenty of napkins for the inevitable delicious mess.
15
Enjoy this luscious sandwich experience with friends and family, and savor every bite!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Carolina Pulled Pork Delight?
It is a Southern-style slow-cooked dish featuring tender pulled pork infused with a tangy vinegar and mustard-based sauce, served on soft buns with cole slaw.
What cut of meat is used for this recipe?
The recipe requires a 4-6 lb boneless pork butt.
How long should the pork cook in the slow cooker?
The pork should be cooked on the low setting for 8 hours.
Why are onions placed at the bottom of the slow cooker?
Two quartered onions are placed at the bottom to provide a flavorful base for the pork roast.
What ingredients are in the dry rub?
The dry rub is a mixture of light brown sugar, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
How do I prepare the vinegar mixture for the roast?
In a bowl, combine apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, sugar, dry mustard, garlic salt, and cayenne pepper.
When should I add the vinegar mixture to the pork?
Drizzle half of the mixture over the pork at the beginning and the remaining half about 30 minutes before the 8-hour cooking time ends.
What type of mustard is used for the barbecue sauce?
The recipe specifies using American-style yellow mustard for the sauce base.
How long does the barbecue sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer for an initial 30 minutes, then for an additional 10 minutes after adding soy sauce, butter, and liquid smoke.
How long should I let the pork rest after cooking?
The pork should rest for at least 15 minutes to ensure better flavor retention.
What should I do with the onions after the pork is cooked?
Remove the cooked onions from the slow cooker and chop them finely to be mixed back into the shredded meat.
How should I shred the pork?
Use two forks to pull the meat apart until it reaches a shredded texture.
How is the sandwich assembled?
Spread sauce on a bun, layer with pork, add more sauce, and top with a generous serving of cole slaw.
Can I make the pork spicier?
Yes, you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper to 1/2 teaspoon for more heat.
What type of buns are recommended for these sandwiches?
Hearty-style, soft, and pillowy buns are recommended for the best experience.
Is liquid smoke used in this recipe?
Yes, one tablespoon of liquid smoke is added to the barbecue sauce for a smoky flavor.
How much apple cider vinegar is needed for the entire recipe?
A total of 1.5 cups of apple cider vinegar is used, split between the pork seasoning and the barbecue sauce.
What is the role of soy sauce in the sauce?
Half a teaspoon of soy sauce is added to the barbecue sauce to enhance the savory flavor profile.
How much cole slaw is required?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of prepared cole slaw.
Should I use light or dark brown sugar?
The recipe specifically calls for light brown sugar.
Does the barbecue sauce contain water?
Yes, 1/4 cup of water is included in the barbecue sauce mixture.
What dry spices are in the barbecue sauce?
The sauce contains chili powder, black pepper, white pepper, and cayenne pepper.
How much butter is used in the sauce?
Two tablespoons of butter are incorporated into the sauce during the final 10 minutes of simmering.
What do I do with the remaining vinegar mixture while the pork cooks?
The remaining mixture should be refrigerated until it is time to drizzle it over the roast near the end of cooking.
Can I use garlic salt in the pork preparation?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt is part of the vinegar mixture drizzled over the roast.
How many buns does this recipe serve?
The recipe lists 20 hearty-style buns, making it suitable for a large group.
Is white pepper necessary?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of white pepper in the barbecue sauce for a specific spice profile.
How long is the total simmer time for the sauce?
The sauce simmers for a total of 40 minutes.
What is the suggested weight range for the pork butt?
The recipe suggests a boneless pork butt between 4 and 6 pounds.
Should the barbecue sauce be served hot or cold?
The sauce is simmered and then set aside to cool slightly before being added to the meat and sandwiches.