Pork

Pulled Pork 101

How to smoke the perfect pulled pork every time. I’ve packed all my tips & tricks from cooking pulled pork over the past decade into this easy to follow recipe and method that works every time.

By
November 9, 2023

The keys to the perfect pulled pork include the overnight salt dry brine rub and my double indirect smoking method.

YouTube Chapters for Further Details:
  • 00:00 - Pulled pork 101
  • 01:45 - Sweet heat pork rub recipe
  • 03:04 - Pork prep
  • 04:19 - Building a set it and forget it stable fire
  • 07:58 - The best grill setup for pulled pork
  • 09:37 - Vent settings
  • 12:30 - How to use probe data to up your grill game
  • 14:57 - Pulled pork game plan
  • 18:06 - The pork butt foil boat
  • 19:57 - FTC method for pork
  • 21:56 - Favorite homemade sauce recipe
  • 22:24 - Results and taste test

Ingredients
  • pork shoulder

Dry Brine:

  • 3 Tbsp ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 Tbsp Lawry's (or copycat, see below)
  • 3/4 Tbsp granulated garlic
  • 3/4 Tbsp dry yellow mustard
  • 1 Tbsp paprika
  • 1/2-3/4 Tbsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar

Carolina Sauce:

  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 tsp dark brown sugar
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp dijon mustard

(Optional)

Lawry’s Alternative:

  • 2 Tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp white sugar
  • 3/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp cornstarch