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Braised Pulled Pork

Braised Pulled Pork

Cuisine:American

Course:Dinner

20m prep 3h cook 3h ready

12 servings Though no substitute for real-deal Smoked Pork Shoulder, this indoor method is much easier and quicker. The shoulder braises in its own juices and becomes meltingly tender. Properly sauced on a bun, even the pickiest barbecue connoisseur should be won over, or at least appeased. To give the pork a smoky flavor, use smoked salt in the rub, or replace half of the paprika with smoked paprika.

Ingredients

Servings:
  • One 4-pound boneless pork shoulder butt or blade roast
  • 1
    • ½ cup sweet or hot paprika
    • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
    • ¼ cup chili powder
    • ¼ cup salt
    • ¼ cup cracked black peppercorns
    • 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
    • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon ground mace
    Sub-recipe steps
    1. Stir together well in a small bowl: ½ cup sweet or hot paprika; ¼ cup packed brown sugar; ¼ cup chili powder; ¼ cup salt; ¼ cup cracked black peppercorns; 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper; 2 tablespoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground mace
  • (2 tablespoons rendered bacon fat or vegetable oil)

Let's Prepare

Collect

Gather these ingredients - no prep needed yet.

  • One 4-pound boneless pork shoulder butt or blade roast
  • 1 Southern Barbecue Dry Rub
  • (2 tablespoons rendered bacon fat or vegetable oil)

Let's Cook

  1. Step 1.

    Trim off and reserve the excess fat from: One 4-pound boneless pork shoulder butt or blade roast

  2. Step 2.

    Rub the roast with: Southern Barbecue Dry Rub

  3. Step 3.

    The meat can be cooked at once or wrapped in 2 layers of foil and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Position a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325°F.

  4. Step 4.

    Heat a Dutch oven (or other heavy ovenproof pot large enough to hold the meat) over medium heat. Add the reserved pork trimmings and render until you have 2 tablespoons fat. Alternatively, use: (2 tablespoons rendered bacon fat or vegetable oil)

  5. Step 5.

    Add the meat and brown well on all sides. Cover the pot tightly with a lid or foil, transfer to the oven, and bake until the meat is tender enough to be shredded with a fork, 3 to 3 ½ hours. Transfer the roast to a large baking dish or platter and skim the fat from the pan juices. Shred the meat with a fork and mix together with the pan juices. Dress and serve as for Smoked Pork Shoulder.

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