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Easy Tender Pulled Pork Recipe Perfect for a Budget-Friendly Crowd

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This easy tender pulled pork recipe is budget-friendly, perfect for feeding a crowd, and delivers fall-apart tender, juicy meat with a balanced smoky, sweet, and tangy flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–5 lbs pork shoulder (pork butt), with good marbling
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth or water
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 cup (240 ml) BBQ sauce

Instructions

  1. Trim any excessive fat from the pork shoulder, leaving a thin layer to keep the meat moist. Pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix thoroughly.
  3. Rub yellow mustard evenly all over the pork shoulder to create a sticky base. Massage the spice rub all over the meat, pressing it in well.
  4. Pour chicken broth (or water) and apple cider vinegar into the slow cooker or Dutch oven.
  5. Place the coated pork shoulder into the cooker. Cover with lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours in a slow cooker, or in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C) for 3-4 hours until the pork reaches about 195°F (90°C) internally and shreds easily.
  6. Transfer the pork to a large tray or bowl. Use two forks or meat claws to shred the meat.
  7. Pour BBQ sauce over the shredded pork and toss well to coat. Add more sauce if desired.
  8. Serve immediately on buns, over rice, or alongside your favorite sides. Keep warm if not serving right away.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 195°F (90°C) for perfect tenderness. Save some cooking liquid to mix back into the shredded pork to keep it juicy. Mustard acts as a glue for the spice rub and adds subtle tang without tasting like mustard. Slow and low cooking is key to tender pork. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, budget-friendly, slow cooker, pork shoulder, easy recipe, crowd-pleaser, BBQ, tender pork

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/easy-tender-pulled-pork-recipe-perfect-for-a-budget-friendly-crowd/