What is Pulled Pork?
Pulled pork is a barbecue dish consisting of pork shoulder, slow-cooked until extremely tender and then “pulled” or shredded into strands. It’s a staple of Southern U.S. cuisine and a classic comfort food. The pork is seasoned with a spice rub or marinated before cooking, which imparts delicious flavor. Once cooked, the succulent meat easily pulls apart into stringy, juicy pieces, perfect for stuffing into sandwiches and tacos or eating atop salads and nachos.
Why Add Flavor?
While pulled pork is delicious in its most basic form, adding extra flavor can take it to new heights. The long, slow cooking time allows the pork to fully absorb any added seasonings or sauces, resulting in an explosion of complex, robust taste. Flavor additions also round out the savory pork flavors and add complementary notes. This transforms everyday pulled pork into a dish with gourmet flair.
When to Season
There are three key times to season pulled pork:
- Before cooking – A dry spice rub or marinade imparts flavor into the meat that permeates throughout the cooking process.
- During cooking – Basting or spraying the pork with a flavorful liquid while it cooks adds taste without making it overly soggy.
- After cooking – Once the pork is fully cooked and ready to serve, sauces and finishing seasoning blends can add the final flavor touches.
Utilizing all three techniques results in pulled pork that is bursting with multidimensional flavors.
Dry Rubs
Dry rubs coat the pork shoulder with spices and herbs before cooking. They create a flavorful, textured bark on the exterior while thoroughly seasoning the interior meat. A basic rub consists of salt, pepper, paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. From there, you can customize with ingredients like cayenne, cumin, cinnamon, oregano, coffee, or citrus zest.
Apply the rub generously all over the pork, pressing to adhere. Let it marinate for at least an hour, or ideally overnight. The meat’s juices will form a paste with the rub as it marinates, sealing the flavors in.
Wet Marinades
Wet marinades, as the name implies, are liquid mixtures that tenderize and add flavor to the pork before cooking. Common ingredients include vinegar, fruit juices, buttermilk, wine, and olive oil, plus aromatics like garlic, onions, and herbs. The acids in the marinade help break down tough collagen fibers, resulting in a more tender interior after the low and slow cooking.
Marinate the pork in a sealed bag or container in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. The marinade will penetrate deep into the meat, well beyond just the surface. Be sure to pat the pork dry before cooking to encourage optimal browning and bark formation.
Basting Sauces
Regularly basting the pork with flavorful liquid while it cooks adds taste and moisture. Use a sauce that complements your original seasoning blend. Apple juice, cola, broth, vinegar mixtures, and fruit purees all make excellent bases. Add spices like the ones in your rub to reinforce that flavor profile.
Baste every hour, taking care not to cool down the cooker and lengthen cooking time. Use a mop brush or spray bottle to apply a thin coating without over-saturating the meat. The pork will form a glistening, sticky crust while soaking up the flavors of the basting liquid.
Finishing Sauces
After the long cook time, douse the shredded pork in a flavorpacked finishing sauce. These thin, tangy sauces brighten up and moisten the pork. Mix up mustard, vinegar, and hot sauce for a Southern-style sauce, or use a sweet and spicy Asian mixture of hoisin, soy, chili, and ginger. Drizzle the sauce over pulled pork prior to serving or place it on the side for individual customization.
Flavor Inspiration by Region
Pulled pork takes on regional flair based on local cuisine influences. Try these flavors for an authentic taste of different barbecue styles:
| Region | Flavors |
|---|---|
| Memphis | Paprika, brown sugar, cayenne |
| Texas | Chili powder, cumin, garlic |
| North Carolina | Mustard, vinegar, hot sauce |
| Kansas City | Molasses, tomato, Worcestershire |
Rubs
Here are some classic and creative spice rub recipes to give your pulled pork next-level flavor:
Basic Pulled Pork Rub
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Citrus-Herb Rub
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
Coffee-Chile Rub
- 1/4 cup finely ground coffee
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Marinades
Inject serious flavor with these easy blended marinades:
Jerk Marinade
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
Asian Marinade
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Tequila-Lime Marinade
- 1 cup tequila
- Zest and juice of 3 limes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, chopped
Finishing Sauces
These easy finishing sauces add a final burst of moisture and flavor.
Tangy BBQ Sauce
Whisk together:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Peach Bourbon Sauce
Mix together:
- 1 cup peach preserves
- 1/3 cup bourbon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Cola BBQ Sauce
Combine in a saucepan and simmer over medium heat:
- 1 cup cola
- 1 cup ketchup
- 6 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
Complementary Side Dishes
Round out your flavorful pulled pork meal with these classic sides:
- Coleslaw – Cool, creamy cabbage complements the richness.
- Baked beans – Sweet, smoky and sticky.
- Mac and cheese – Comforting and cheesy.
- Collard greens – Earthy, healthy and flavorful.
- Potato salad – Chunky, mayo-dressed potatoes.
- Cornbread – Sweet, crumbly bread with a hint of corn flavor.
- Corn on the cob – Grilled or boiled, add crunch and natural sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
Now that your pork is perfectly seasoned, how will you use it? Some tasty ideas:
- Piled high on soft buns for classic pulled pork sandwiches.
- Stuffed into empanadas or pupusas pockets.
- Mixed with sauce and used as a pizza or nacho topping.
- Added to mac and cheese or baked potatoes.
- Tossed with cooked rice and beans.
- Layered into sandwiches with coleslaw.
- Wrapped in lettuce leaves for pork tacos.
- Topped over a hearty salad.
Conclusion
It’s easy to take pulled pork to new heights of flavor with the right seasoning techniques. Dry rubs, marinades, bastes, and finishing sauces let you thoroughly infuse the pork with taste. Experiment with different regional and cultural flavor profiles. Serve the pork with classic soulful sides and use it in diverse recipes from sandwiches to tacos. With so many possibilities, your flavorful pulled pork will never get boring!