How to Make Carolina Pulled Pork BBQ

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make Carolina pulled pork BBQ

How to Make Carolina Pulled Pork BBQ

In NC, BBQ is a food group. Making pulled pork BBQ is easer and more "forgiving" than ribs or brisket. It's a long day of slow smoking, but well worth the wait.

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Step 1 of 17
The night before you will need to prep the meat. First, remove as much of the fat from the bottom of the Boston Butt as possible.

The night before you will need to prep the meat. First, remove as much of the fat from the bottom of the Boston Butt as possible.

Step 2 of 17
Leave a little fat to help keep the meat moist while cooking.

Leave a little fat to help keep the meat moist while cooking.

Step 3 of 17
Next baste the meat with yellow mustard. This isn't for flavor, and you won't taste it when the meat is done. This is to help keep the rub on the meat.

Next baste the meat with yellow mustard. This isn't for flavor, and you won't taste it when the meat is done. This is to help keep the rub on the meat.

Step 4 of 17
Put the meat in a large mixing bowl and liberally apply your favorite rub. Checkout my Snapguide for a great rub recipe if you want to make your own.

Put the meat in a large mixing bowl and liberally apply your favorite rub. Checkout my Snapguide for a great rub recipe if you want to make your own.

Step 5 of 17
Wrap the meat in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator over night.

Wrap the meat in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator over night.

Step 6 of 17

While you're getting your smoker ready, take the meat out of the refrigerator until it reaches room temperature.

Step 7 of 17
I use a charcoal chimney to light my coals.

I use a charcoal chimney to light my coals.

Step 8 of 17
I'm using an offset firebox on my smoker. When your charcoal is ready, put some hickory blocks off to one side to slow smoke the meat.

I'm using an offset firebox on my smoker. When your charcoal is ready, put some hickory blocks off to one side to slow smoke the meat.

Step 9 of 17
You will want to maintain a cooking temperature between 240 and 250 degrees throughout the cooking process.

You will want to maintain a cooking temperature between 240 and 250 degrees throughout the cooking process.

Step 10 of 17

Keep the lid to your smoker closed as much as possible! If you're looking you're not cooking.

Step 11 of 17
Every hour I spray a mixture of apple juice, water and Sprite on the meat. A plant sprayer makes this easy. The sugar in the Sprite and juice caramelizes to help seal in the meat's natural juices.

Every hour I spray a mixture of apple juice, water and Sprite on the meat. A plant sprayer makes this easy. The sugar in the Sprite and juice caramelizes to help seal in the meat's natural juices.

Step 12 of 17
You will want to cook the meat at 250 degrees for 1.5 hours per pound.  Use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness.

You will want to cook the meat at 250 degrees for 1.5 hours per pound. Use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness.

Step 13 of 17
When the internal temp of the meat reaches 160 degrees, wrap the meat in tin foil with 1/4 cup of apple juice. Then place it back into the smoker.

When the internal temp of the meat reaches 160 degrees, wrap the meat in tin foil with 1/4 cup of apple juice. Then place it back into the smoker.

Step 14 of 17
When the temp reaches 180 degrees, wrap the meat (still in the foil) in towels and place in a cooler for an hour.

When the temp reaches 180 degrees, wrap the meat (still in the foil) in towels and place in a cooler for an hour.

Step 15 of 17
After removing the meat from the foil, remove the bone from the Boston Butt.

After removing the meat from the foil, remove the bone from the Boston Butt.

Step 16 of 17
Use a fork and pull the meat with the grain of the meat. This is how pulled pork gets its name.

Use a fork and pull the meat with the grain of the meat. This is how pulled pork gets its name.

Step 17 of 17
Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!

Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Concord, North Carolina
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9 Comments
Supplies

7 Pounds Boston Butt

Yellow mustard

Rib rub

Charcoal

Hickory wood chips

Apple juice

Tin foil

Cooler

Smoker

Meat thermometer

Apple juice

Sprite

Water

Helena Eklund

It looks so good. Thanks for a great guide.

Helena Eklund 8 months ago

Rick Adams

@Jennie - wrapping the meat in towels and putting in a cooler is "steaming" technique to make the meat more tender. Works great with ribs too.

(author) 9 months ago

Jennie I.

Thanks for a great guide. What is the purpose behind wrapping the meat in towels, etc?

Jennie I. 9 months ago

Rick Adams

@Kevin, I will do a Brunswick guide sometime this fall. You're right, I don't use vinegar as much as others. I have used it with apple juice as a mop and injection marinade.

(author) 9 months ago

Jebe Khan

Now do Brunswick stew for the next one' lol. Interesting technique with the sprayer of sprite. The vinegar dip is conspicuously absent though. That's what makes it Carolina in my book :) Nice guide!

Jebe Khan 9 months ago

Jane Z L

Super - thanks for the inspiration

Jane Z L 9 months ago

Rick Adams

The topping in the photo is a barbecue cole slaw. There are some great recipes online, and I should have a guide on that soon. You can also serve it with baked beans, white cole slaw, potato or macaroni salad.

(author) 9 months ago

Jane Z L

Nice guide! :-) What type of sides do you recommend with the pulled pork? The topping in your last picture looks delicious :-)

Jane Z L 9 months ago

Britton Lees

Great guide, thanks!

Britton Lees 9 months ago

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Rick Adams

It takes about 1.5 - 2 hours for a 7 pound roast.

(author) 9 months ago

Britton Lees

How long does it usually take to bring a large pork roast to room temperature? Thanks for sharing!

Britton Lees 9 months ago

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