Ultimate Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches
These Ultimate Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have your friends and family raving for more. Slowly roasted until fork-tender, the boneless pork shoulder is infused with a rich blend of spices and sauces, creating an irresistible flavor profile. Paired perfectly with fresh hamburger buns, each sandwich is finished with a generous drizzle of homemade barbecue sauce. Whether you're hosting a casual lunch or a summer cookout, these sandwiches are sure to impress. Plus, the barbecue sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 months, making meal prep a breeze.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless pork shoulder
2 lbs (trimmed of excess fat)
brown sugar
2 tablespoons (for rub)
aluminum foil
as needed (for wrapping the pork)
hamburger buns
8 (for serving)
catsup
2 cups (for barbecue sauce)
cider vinegar
2 cups (for barbecue sauce)
water
1 cup (for barbecue sauce)
packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup (for barbecue sauce)
Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup (for barbecue sauce)
black pepper
2 tablespoons (for barbecue sauce)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
hot pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar with additional spices (if desired).
3
Rub the pork shoulder generously with the brown sugar mixture all over.
4
Wrap the seasoned pork shoulder loosely in aluminum foil, ensuring it is well-sealed to retain moisture.
5
Place the wrapped pork on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the meat is extremely tender and pulls apart easily.
6
Remove the pork from the oven and allow it to rest for about 10 minutes before unwrapping.
7
While the pork is resting, prepare the barbecue sauce. In a saucepan, combine catsup, cider vinegar, water, dark brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, salt, and hot pepper. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8
Once the pork has rested, use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces.
9
To assemble the sandwiches, spoon about 1/2 cup of the pulled pork into each hamburger bun.
10
Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the barbecue sauce over the pork in each bun, making sure it’s generously coated.
11
Serve immediately and enjoy your Ultimate Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary cut of meat used for these sandwiches?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before roasting the pork.
How long does it take to roast the pork shoulder?
The pork should be roasted for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours until it is extremely tender.
What is used to season the pork before roasting?
A mixture of brown sugar and additional spices (if desired) is rubbed generously over the meat.
Why is the pork wrapped in aluminum foil?
The pork is wrapped loosely in foil and sealed well to retain moisture during the long roasting process.
Should the meat rest after cooking?
Yes, once removed from the oven, allow the pork to rest for about 10 minutes before unwrapping and shredding.
How do I shred the cooked pork?
The pork should be fork-tender and can be easily shredded into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
What are the ingredients for the homemade barbecue sauce?
The sauce contains catsup, cider vinegar, water, dark brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, salt, and hot pepper.
How is the barbecue sauce prepared?
Combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then simmer for 15–20 minutes while stirring occasionally.
How many sandwiches does this recipe yield?
The recipe makes approximately 8 servings.
How much pork should be placed in each bun?
Spoon about 1/2 cup of the pulled pork into each hamburger bun for assembly.
How much sauce is recommended per sandwich?
Drizzle approximately 1 tablespoon of the homemade barbecue sauce over the pork in each bun.
How long can the barbecue sauce be stored?
The sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
What type of vinegar is used in the BBQ sauce?
The recipe uses 2 cups of cider vinegar for the sauce.
Is the BBQ sauce spicy?
The sauce includes black pepper and hot pepper to taste, so the heat level can be adjusted based on preference.
What type of buns are best for these sandwiches?
The recipe specifically recommends using fresh hamburger buns.
Does the recipe require a specific type of sugar for the sauce?
Yes, it calls for 3/4 cup of packed dark brown sugar for the barbecue sauce.
Can I make the rub ahead of time?
While the recipe focuses on the sauce prep, the dry rub (brown sugar and spices) can easily be mixed ahead of time.
What category of meal does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized as Lunch/Snacks.
Is this recipe suitable for a summer cookout?
Yes, it is described as perfect for hosting casual lunches or summer cookouts.
What is the base of the barbecue sauce?
The sauce uses 2 cups of catsup as its primary base.
What equipment do I need for roasting the pork?
You will need a baking sheet and aluminum foil for the roasting process.
How do I know the pork is done without a thermometer?
The meat is ready when it is extremely tender and pulls apart easily with a fork.
What type of Worcestershire sauce is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of standard Worcestershire sauce.
Can I use bone-in pork shoulder?
The recipe specifically lists 2 lbs of boneless pork shoulder for best results with these instructions.
Does the sauce require salt?
Yes, salt is added to the sauce mixture to taste.
Is the pork shoulder trimmed before cooking?
Yes, the pork should be trimmed of excess fat before being rubbed with seasoning.
What is the total simmering time for the BBQ sauce?
The sauce should simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
Is water used in the BBQ sauce recipe?
Yes, 1 cup of water is mixed into the sauce ingredients.
How should the sandwiches be served?
They should be served immediately after assembly while the meat is warm and the buns are fresh.