carolina style pulled pork

(1 rating)
Recipe by
Nichole McGhee
Princeville, IL

I found this recipe on another website, made a couple of tweaks, and now it is one of our family favorites. This is a great alternative to the standard sweet BBQ pulled pork recipe. It makes a tangy and moist sandwich without a heavy sweet sauce. Perfect recipe for fall tail-gating.

(1 rating)
yield 10 serving(s)
prep time 5 Hr
cook time 4 Hr

Ingredients For carolina style pulled pork

  • 7-9 lb
    pork shoulder butt
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/4 c
    liquid smoke
  • 1 pkg
    shredded cabage, coleslaw style (optional)
  • VINEGAR SAUCE
  • 2 c
    apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 c
    ketchup
  • 1/4 c
    packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 Tbsp
    ground white pepper
  • 1/2-1 Tbsp
    red chili flakes
  • 1/2 tsp
    ground black pepper

How To Make carolina style pulled pork

  • 1
    Set roaster to 325. Add enough water to cover the bottom of the roaster in about 1/2" of water. Add liquid smoke to water. Do not trim any excess fat from the pork. Brush pork with a thin coat of olive oil. Season with salt & pepper. Set pork shoulder on cooking rack above the water with the fat-back facing up. The fat will naturally baste the meat during the long cooking time so there is no need to turn the meat. Cover and cook for 4-5 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the middle of the pork reads 190-200 degrees F. Meat should be fall-apart tender. Pull or chop meat, remove any burnt pieces of fat. You can also cook the pork on the grill using hickory wood chips soaked in water and indirect heat cooking method.
  • 2
    While meat is cooking prepare the vinegar sauce. Mix all ingredients for the sauce together in a non-reactive bowl and refrigerate until meat is done. (minimum of 30 minutes) If you are making the coleslaw make a second batch of the vinegar sauce. Toss the cabbage with sauce until well mixed and not quite wet (you may have sauce left over). Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours.
  • 3
    While the meat is still warm, mix in enough of the vinegar sauce to moisten and flavor the meat. *This is really to taste. I use all of the sauce, but recommend adding 1 cup to the meat, then put the rest in a bowl & set out with the buns so individuals can add more if they like.
  • 4
    Serve with coleslaw on side or sandwich style with a scoop of the slaw on top of the meat. Enjoy!

Categories & Tags for Carolina Style Pulled Pork:

ADVERTISEMENT