Best 9 Classic North Carolina Pulled Pork Recipes

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**Classic North Carolina Pulled Pork: A Tangy, Smoky, and Succulent Barbecue Delight**

Savor the quintessential taste of North Carolina's barbecue legacy with this classic pulled pork recipe. Experience a symphony of flavors in every tender bite, as the pork shoulder is lovingly slow-cooked in a tangy vinegar-based sauce, infusing it with smoky and savory goodness. You'll also find delectable sides to complement your pulled pork feast, including creamy coleslaw, tangy barbecue sauce, and fluffy homemade buns. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey to the heart of North Carolina's barbecue tradition, where every bite tells a story of tradition and taste.

Let's cook with our recipes!

NORTH CAROLINA PULLED PORK



North Carolina Pulled Pork image

This North Carolina Pulled Pork recipe and introductory text below are from The Barbecue! Bible 10th Anniversary Edition.

Provided by Steven Raichlen

Categories     Pork     Marinate     Backyard BBQ     Dinner     Lunch     Spring     Summer     Tailgating     Grill     Grill/Barbecue

Yield Makes 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

Grilling Method
Indirect grilling
Advance preparation
3 to 8 hours for marinating the meat (optional); also, allow yourself 4 to 6 hours cooking time
Special equipment
6 cups hickory chips or chunks, soaked for 1 hour in cold water to cover and drained
For the rub (optional)
1 tablespoon mild paprika
2 teaspoons light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons hot paprika
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the barbecue
1 Boston butt (bone-in pork shoulder roast; 5 to 6 pounds), covered with a thick (1/2 inch) layer of fat
Vinegar Sauce
10 to 12 hamburger buns
North Carolina-Style Coleslaw

Steps:

  • 1. If using the rub, combine the mild paprika, brown sugar, hot paprika, celery salt, garlic salt, dry mustard, pepper, onion powder, and salt in a bowl and toss with your fingers to mix. Wearing rubber or plastic gloves if desired, rub the spice mixture onto the pork shoulder on all sides, then cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 3 hours, preferably 8.
  • If not using the rub, generously season the pork all over with coarse (kosher or sea) salt and freshly ground black pepper; you can start cooking immediately.
  • 2. Set up the grill for indirect grilling and place a drip pan in the center.
  • If using a gas grill, place all of the wood chips in the smoker box and preheat the grill to high; when smoke appears, reduce the heat to medium.
  • If using a charcoal grill, preheat the grill to medium-low and adjust the vents to obtain a temperature of 300°F.
  • 3. When ready to cook, if using charcoal, toss 1 cup of the wood chips on the coals. Place the pork shoulder, fat side up, on the hot grate over the drip pan. Cover the grill and smoke cook the pork shoulder until fall-off-the-bone tender and the internal temperature on an instant-read meat thermometer reaches 195°F, 4 to 6 hours (the cooking time will depend on the size of the pork roast and the heat of the grill). If using charcoal, you'll need to add 10 to 12 fresh coals to each side every hour and toss more wood chips on the fresh coals; add about 1/2 cup per side every time you replenish the coals. With gas, all you need to do is be sure that you start with a full tank of gas. If the pork begins to brown too much, drape a piece of aluminum foil loosely over it or lower the heat.
  • 4. Transfer the pork roast to a cutting board, loosely tent it with aluminum foil, and let rest for 15 minutes.
  • 5. Wearing heavy-duty rubber gloves if desired, pull off and discard any skin from the meat, then pull the pork into pieces, discarding any bones or fat. Using your fingertips or a fork, pull each piece of pork into shreds 1 to 2 inches long and 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide. This requires time and patience, but a human touch is needed to achieve the perfect texture. If patience isn't one of your virtues, you can finely chop the pork with a cleaver (many respected North Carolina barbecue joints serve chopped 'cue). Transfer the shredded pork to a nonreactive roasting pan. Stir in 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the vinegar sauce, enough to keep the pork moist, then cover the pan with aluminum foil and place it on the grill for up to 30 minutes to keep warm.
  • 6. To serve, mound the pulled pork on the hamburger buns and top with coleslaw. Let each person add more vinegar sauce to taste.

WORLD'S BEST CAROLINA PULLED PORK



World's Best Carolina Pulled Pork image

Want to make the best pulled pork from your own kitchen? This recipe for the world's best Carolina pulled pork all starts with a brine.

Provided by Sweet Basil

Categories     Every Man's Favorite Easy Day Recipes

Time P1DT14h

Number Of Ingredients 24

5-8 pound Pork Butt (bone in and fat pad on top)
4 Cups Water
4 Cups Apple Cider
1/2 Cup Kosher Salt
1/2 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
3 Heaping Tablespoons Dry Rub
2 Bay Leaves
1 Pinch Red Pepper Flakes
1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
1 Heaping Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
1 1/2 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
1 Tablespoon Pepper
2 Teaspoons Cayenne Powder
2 Teaspoons Dry Mustard
1 Tablespoon Cumin
1/2 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 Cup White Vinegar
1/4 Cup to 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Chili Powder
2 Pinches Red Pepper Flakes
Salt to taste

Steps:

  • NOTE: This recipe should be started 2 days ahead of time as you need 24 hours in the fridge, 12-14 in the oven and 2 hours of resting.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1.5 cup, Calories 445 kcal, Carbohydrate 35 g, Protein 43 g, Fat 14 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 136 mg, Sodium 6886 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 31 g

NORTH CAROLINA-STYLE PULLED PORK



North Carolina-Style Pulled Pork image

Melanie Dunia didn't know much about barbecuing when she was hired as a sous chef at The Pit in 2013, but her experience working in Asian restaurants turned out to be a real help: On one of her first days, The Pit's head chef asked her to roll a couple hundred of the restaurant's beloved BBQ Soul Rolls - North Carolina-style pulled pork, collards and carrots in an egg roll wrapper. "They were so impressed, but it was nothing for me!" she says. In just a few years she shot to the top spot in the kitchen and became the only woman in the region running a pit.

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 9h

Yield 15 to 20 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 10- to 12-pound skin-on, bone-in pork butt
3 cups apple cider vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Texas Pete's)
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Soft hamburger buns, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat a grill to medium low and prepare for indirect cooking: On a gas grill, preheat the grill, then turn off the center burners. On a charcoal grill, light the coals, then push to the edges of the grill, creating an open space in the middle; put a disposable aluminum drip pan in the middle of the grill under the grates.
  • When the grill registers 250˚ F, place the pork on the grill grates over the cooler part. Cover the grill and cook the pork until the skin is crisp, the meat easily falls off the bone and a thermometer inserted into the center of the pork (away from the bone) registers 190˚ F to 200˚ F, 7 to 10 hours (if using charcoal, adjust the air vents and add more coals as needed so the temperature stays around 250˚ F).
  • Meanwhile, make the barbecue sauce: Combine 1 cup water, the vinegar, hot sauce, sugar, red pepper flakes, 2 1/2 tablespoons salt and 2 teaspoons black pepper in a pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar and salt dissolve. Let cool.
  • If using a gas grill, turn off the heat and carefully transfer the pork to a cutting board. If using a charcoal grill, do this quickly, as the grease may cause the coals to catch fire. Let the pork rest at least 30 minutes, then pull the meat off the bone with tongs and a large fork; discard the bones and any large pieces of fat. Chop the crispy skin and stir into the meat. Transfer to a bowl and toss with 1 to 2 cups of the barbecue sauce. Serve on buns with the remaining sauce.

CLASSIC NORTH CAROLINA PULLED PORK



Classic North Carolina Pulled Pork image

Smoky, sweet, tangy, and tender: North Carolina-style pulled pork is perfect for sharing with friends at backyard barbecues. The deep flavor comes from rubbing the meat with sugar and spices and then low, slow cooking -- just the right pace for this time of year.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Pork Recipes

Time P1DT8h30m

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 boneless pork shoulder (about 4 pounds), trimmed but with a layer of fat left on
2 tablespoons coarse salt
5 medium cloves garlic, pressed through a garlic press or mashed to a paste
2 tablespoons safflower oil
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 tablespoon coarse salt
3/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Potato buns, coleslaw, thinly sliced seedless cucumber, and pickles, for serving

Steps:

  • Season pork all over with salt. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next day, stir together garlic and oil. Mix together sugars, paprika, pepper, mustard, and thyme. Rub oil mixture over pork, then sugar mixture. Let stand while you heat grill.
  • Open grill vents. Prepare a chimney with 80 charcoal briquettes; place on small lower grate. Ignite; let burn until top layer is turning ash gray, about 20 minutes. Place a small disposable roasting pan on one side of grate. Add 2 cups hot water. Pour coals in on other side. Top with main grill grate.
  • Place pork on grill, over pan of water. Cover grill with lid, keeping top and bottom vents halfway open. Every hour, add briquettes (about 16) as needed to keep grill temperature at a steady 300 degrees. Cook until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of pork registers about 200 degrees, 7 to 8 hours.
  • Let meat stand 20 minutes before pulling apart with two forks. Meanwhile, whisk together sauce ingredients in a bowl. Toss pulled pork with 1 cup sauce. Pile pork on buns, then top with slaw and cucumber. Serve, with pickles and remaining sauce on the side.

NORTH CAROLINA PULLED-PORK BARBECUE



North Carolina Pulled-Pork Barbecue image

This classic pulled pork is the ultimate holiday weekend grilling project.

Provided by Ruth Cousineau

Categories     Backyard BBQ     Summer     Grill     Grill/Barbecue     Gourmet     Graduation

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

3 1/2 cups cider vinegar (20 fluid ounces)
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons hot red-pepper flakes
1 (8- to 10-pound) bone-in pork shoulder roast (preferably butt end) with skin

Steps:

  • Bring vinegar to a boil with sugar, red-pepper flakes, 2 tsp salt, and 1 Tbsp pepper in a small nonreactive saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then cool. Set aside 2 cups vinegar sauce to serve with sandwiches.
  • While sauce cools, score pork skin in a crosshatch pattern with a sharp knife (forming 1-inch diamonds), cutting through skin and fat but not into meat. Pat meat dry and rub all over with 1 Tbsp each of salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before grilling.
  • Prepare grill for indirect-heat cooking over low heat, leaving space in middle for disposable roasting pan.
  • When coals have cooled to about 300°F (45 minutes to 1 hour; when most coals will have burned out), put disposable roasting pan on bottom rack of grill between the 2 remaining mounds of coals, then fill pan halfway with water. Add a couple of handfuls of unlit charcoal to each charcoal mound, then put grill rack on so hinges are over coals.
  • Oil grill rack, then put pork, skin side up, on rack above roasting pan. Grill pork, with lid ajar (for air, so coals remain lit), basting meat with sauce and turning over every 30 minutes (to maintain a temperature of 250 to 275°F, add a couple of handfuls of coals to each side about every 30 minutes), until fork-tender (a meat fork should insert easily) and an instant-read thermometer inserted 2 inches into center of meat (avoid bone) registers 190°F, 7 to 8 hours total.
  • Transfer pork to a cutting board. If skin is not crisp, cut it off with at least 1/4 inch fat attached (cut any large pieces into bite-size ones) and roast, fat side down, in a 4-sided sheet pan in a 350°F oven until crisp, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • When meat is cool enough to handle, shred it using 2 forks. Transfer to a bowl.
  • Serve pork, cracklings, and coleslaw together on buns. Serve reserved vinegar sauce on the side.

CAROLINA-STYLE PORK BARBECUE



Carolina-Style Pork Barbecue image

I am originally from North Carolina (where swine is divine) and this recipe for the slow cooker is a family favorite. My husband swears my authentic Carolina 'cue is the best BBQ he has ever eaten! -Kathryn Ransom Williams, Sparks, Nevada

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 6h30m

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 boneless pork shoulder butt roast (4 to 5 pounds)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 medium onions, quartered
3/4 cup cider vinegar
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
14 hamburger buns, split
1-3/4 pounds deli coleslaw

Steps:

  • Cut roast into quarters. Mix brown sugar, salt, paprika and pepper; rub over meat. Place meat and onions in a 5-qt. slow cooker., In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and seasonings; pour over roast. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until meat is tender., Remove roast; cool slightly. Reserve 1-1/2 cups cooking juices; discard remaining juices. Skim fat from reserved juices. Shred pork with two forks. Return pork and reserved juices to slow cooker; heat through. Serve on buns with coleslaw.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 453 calories, Fat 22g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 85mg cholesterol, Sodium 889mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 27g protein.

NORTH CAROLINA-STYLE PULLED PORK



North Carolina-Style Pulled Pork image

This recipe is delicious, especially when smoked with hickory chips on a charcoal grill. A spicy rub and a zesty vinegar sauce turn pork into a North Carolina favorite.

Provided by Doug

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pork     100+ Pulled Pork Recipes

Time 15h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 tablespoon mild paprika
2 teaspoons light brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons hot paprika
½ teaspoon celery salt
½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon dry mustard
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon salt
8 pounds pork butt roast
2 cups cider vinegar
1 ⅓ cups water
⅝ cup ketchup
¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar
5 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
2 pounds hickory wood chips, soaked

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, mix mild paprika, light brown sugar, hot paprika, celery salt, garlic salt, dry mustard, ground black pepper, onion powder, and salt. Rub spice mixture into the roast on all sides. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate 8 hours, or overnight.
  • Prepare a grill for indirect heat.
  • Sprinkle a handful of soaked wood over coals, or place in the smoker box of a gas grill. Place pork butt roast on the grate over a drip pan. Cover grill, and cook pork until pork is tender and shreds easily, about 6 hours. Check hourly, adding fresh coals and hickory chips as necessary to maintain heat and smoke.
  • Remove pork from heat and place on a cutting board. Allow the meat to cool approximately 15 minutes, then shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks. This requires patience.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together cider vinegar, water, ketchup, brown sugar, salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and white pepper. Continue whisking until brown sugar and salt have dissolved. Place shredded pork and vinegar sauce in a large roasting pan, and stir to coat pork. Serve immediately, or cover and keep warm on the grill for up to one hour until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 425.9 calories, Carbohydrate 12.1 g, Cholesterol 134.9 mg, Fat 23.1 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 39.1 g, SaturatedFat 8.3 g, Sodium 1698.4 mg, Sugar 10.1 g

NORTH CAROLINA PULLED PORK



North Carolina Pulled Pork image

I got this from an North Carolina native and it is the best. It is pretty much foolproof. This is made in the slow cooker.

Provided by skibunny2k

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pork     100+ Pulled Pork Recipes

Time 9h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 pounds pork shoulder roast
salt and ground black pepper to taste
½ cup ketchup
½ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup red wine vinegar

Steps:

  • Preheat slow cooker on Low for 15 minutes.
  • Season pork shoulder with salt and pepper; place pork in preheated slow cooker. Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and vinegar in a bowl; pour over pork.
  • Cook on Low for 8 hours. Transfer pork to a large platter and slice into 3 to 4 pieces. Shred meat with 2 forks and return to slow cooker. Continue to cook for 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 209 calories, Carbohydrate 17.8 g, Cholesterol 56.8 mg, Fat 6.4 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 19.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 265.1 mg, Sugar 16.3 g

AMERICAN KITCHEN CLASSIC WESTERN CAROLINA STYLE PULLED PORK BBQ



American Kitchen Classic Western Carolina Style Pulled Pork BBQ image

This classic recipe represents pulled pork Western North Carolina style. Central and Eastern North Carolina style pork uses all of the pig which gets chopped together and served. This recipe requires a smoker and an overnight brine period. It is recommended that you pare this BBQ with the AKC Lexington Style BBQ Sauce - #465978.

Provided by Member 610488

Categories     Pork

Time 8h30m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 gallons water
1 1/2 cups salt
2 cups soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup sugar
2 (3 lb) pork, butts
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups applewood chips, soaked

Steps:

  • Combine 1 quart of water with the salt, soy sauce, honey, molasses and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from the heat and let cool. Stir in the remaining water.
  • Pierce the meat with a boning knife in several places, then add the meat to the brine. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • Remove the meat from the brine, coat lightly with salt and pepper, and arrange them in a smoker. Load 2 boxes filled with applewood chips into the smoker.
  • Set the smoker at 250 degrees F and smoke for 8 hours. Remove from the smoker to a cutting board and shred when cool enough to handle.
  • Arrange on a serving platter and serve with your choice of BBQ sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 574.4, Fat 21.7, SaturatedFat 7.1, Cholesterol 190.4, Sodium 16988.2, Carbohydrate 24.2, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 18.9, Protein 67.7

Tips:

  • Choose the right cut of pork: Boston butt or shoulder is the recommended cut for pulled pork.
  • Dry rub enhances flavor: Apply a flavorful dry rub to the pork before cooking. Experiment with different spice combinations to create a unique taste.
  • Slow and low cooking: Cook the pork at a low temperature for an extended period to tenderize the meat and allow the flavors to meld.
  • Monitor the internal temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork reaches an internal temperature of 200-205°F (93-96°C) for optimal tenderness and safety.
  • Rest the meat: Allow the cooked pork to rest for 15-30 minutes before pulling or shredding. This helps the meat retain its moisture and flavor.
  • Use a variety of sauces: North Carolina pulled pork is traditionally served with a vinegar-based sauce, but feel free to experiment with different sauces such as tomato-based or mustard-based.

Conclusion:

Classic North Carolina Pulled Pork is a delectable dish that embodies the essence of Southern barbecue. With its tender, juicy meat infused with a harmonious blend of spices and smoky flavor, this dish is sure to tantalize taste buds. Whether you prefer a vinegar-based sauce or venture into other sauce options, the possibilities are endless. Gather your friends and family around the table to enjoy this North Carolina specialty, and embrace the spirit of Southern hospitality and culinary excellence.

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