Pulled pork is a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish, perfect for BBQs, parties, or a satisfying weeknight meal. This easy pulled pork recipe uses pork shoulder, common pantry spices, and a touch of cola to tenderize the meat and enhance the savory-sweet flavor profile. Whether you prefer the hands-off approach of a slow cooker, the set-it-and-forget-it convenience of an instant pot, or the classic oven method, this guide will walk you through creating perfectly tender and juicy pulled pork every time.
Serve your pulled pork in a variety of mouthwatering ways. Pile it high on sandwiches, load it onto nachos, stuff it in tamales, tacos, or burritos, or create flavorful quesadillas. The possibilities are endless!
This pulled pork recipe is a guaranteed hit, whether you’re feeding a large gathering or simply preparing a family dinner. Serve it with your favorite BBQ sauce and classic side dishes, or get creative with sandwiches, tacos, and more. If you’re cooking for a crowd, check out the tips later in this post for calculating exactly how much pulled pork you’ll need per person.
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Pulled Pork
Here’s a detailed guide on How To Make Pulled Pork using three popular cooking methods: oven, slow cooker, and Instant Pot.
Preparing the Pork
First, you’ll need to select your pork. For the best pulled pork, choose a pork shoulder, also known as pork butt or Boston butt. You can use boneless or bone-in, though boneless is often easier to manage. Begin by trimming any excess fat from the pork shoulder and then cut it into approximately 4 equal pieces.
In a small bowl, combine your chosen spices. A classic pulled pork spice rub typically includes paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Generously rub the spice mixture all over the pork pieces, ensuring every surface is well coated. For a deeper flavor, you can prepare the pork and spice rub the night before and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight.
Searing the Pork (Optional but Recommended)
While searing is an optional step, it adds a rich depth of flavor and color to your pulled pork. Heat a couple of tablespoons of oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the seasoned pork pieces and sear on all sides for a few minutes until browned. This step helps to lock in the juices and create a flavorful crust.
Method 1: Oven Pulled Pork
For oven-baked pulled pork, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the seared pork (or unseared if you skipped that step) in a Dutch oven or oven-safe pot. Pour cola around the pork in the pot – the cola adds a subtle sweetness and helps tenderize the meat. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and cook in the preheated oven for 3 hours.
After 3 hours, remove the lid and continue cooking for an additional 1 to 2 hours, or until the pork is incredibly tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. The internal temperature should reach around 200-205°F (93-96°C) for optimal tenderness.
Method 2: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
The slow cooker method is perfect for hands-off cooking. Place the seasoned pork pieces in your slow cooker. Pour cola around the pork. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW heat for 8 hours (recommended) or on HIGH heat for 4-5 hours. The pork is ready when it’s fork-tender and shreds effortlessly.
Method 3: Instant Pot Pulled Pork
For a quicker pulled pork option, the Instant Pot is your best friend. Place the seasoned pork in the Instant Pot and pour cola around it. Secure the lid, ensuring the valve is set to sealing. Cook on Manual or High pressure for 70 minutes.
Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for about 15 minutes. After the natural pressure release, you can manually release any remaining pressure.
Shredding and Serving
Once your pork is cooked using any of the methods above, carefully remove it from the cooking liquid. Place the pork on a cutting board and use two forks to shred the meat. Discard any large pieces of fat or connective tissue. At this point, you can toss the shredded pulled pork with your favorite BBQ sauce if desired.
Tips for Perfect Pulled Pork
- Don’t skip the spice rub: The spice rub is crucial for building flavor. Feel free to adjust the spices to your preference, adding more or less heat as desired.
- Why cola? The cola in this recipe serves a dual purpose. The acidity helps to tenderize the pork, while the sugars contribute to a subtle sweetness that complements the savory spices. If you prefer not to use cola, you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar mixed with apple juice or broth.
- Searing for deeper flavor: Searing the pork before cooking, while optional, significantly enhances the depth of flavor. The Maillard reaction creates complex flavors that elevate the final dish.
- Low and slow is key: Regardless of the cooking method, cooking the pork low and slow is essential for achieving maximum tenderness. This allows the collagen in the pork shoulder to break down, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork.
How Much Pulled Pork Per Person?
Planning for a crowd? Here’s a simple guide to estimate how much pulled pork you’ll need:
- Rule 1: Approximately one pound of cooked pulled pork will serve 3 people, which is about 5 ounces per serving.
- Rule 2: Pork shoulder loses about half its weight during cooking. So, a 5-pound raw pork shoulder will yield roughly 2.5 pounds of cooked pulled pork.
To calculate the amount of raw pork needed:
- Multiply the number of guests by 0.33 (which is 1/3 of a pound of cooked meat per serving). This gives you the total amount of cooked pulled pork needed.
- Multiply that number by 2 to account for the weight loss during cooking.
Example: To feed 50 guests:
- 50 guests x 0.33 lbs cooked pork/guest = 16.5 lbs cooked pulled pork
- 16.5 lbs cooked pulled pork x 2 = 33 lbs raw pork shoulder needed
Keep in mind these additional factors when estimating:
- Age of guests: Children and lighter eaters will consume less.
- Serving style: If pulled pork is the main dish with lighter sides, you’ll need more. If it’s served in sandwiches or tacos, or with hearty sides, you can reduce the amount slightly.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Pulled Pork
Storing Leftovers: Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Freezing Pulled Pork: Pulled pork freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating Instructions:
- Oven (Preferred): Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C). Place pulled pork and any leftover juices in an oven-safe dish. If the pork seems dry, add a little water, apple juice, or broth to keep it moist. Cover with aluminum foil and reheat for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Slow Cooker: Place pulled pork and juices in the slow cooker. Add a little liquid if needed. Set to the warm setting or LOW and reheat until warmed through to 165°F (74°C).
- Microwave: Place pulled pork and juices in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a little liquid if needed. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave in 1-minute intervals until heated through to 165°F (74°C).
Serving Suggestions
Pulled pork is incredibly versatile. Here are a few serving ideas:
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches: Classic and always a hit. Serve on buns with BBQ sauce, coleslaw, and pickles.
- Pulled Pork Tacos or Burritos: Load tortillas or burritos with pulled pork, salsa, guacamole, and your favorite toppings.
- Pulled Pork Nachos: Layer tortilla chips with pulled pork, cheese, beans, and nacho toppings.
- Pulled Pork Bowls: Create grain bowls with pulled pork, rice, beans, roasted vegetables, and a flavorful sauce.
- Pulled Pork Pizza Topping: Add a smoky BBQ flavor to your homemade pizza.
Enjoy making delicious pulled pork using your preferred method! This recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
