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+ servings
5 stars (2 reviews)

BBQ Pulled Pork

Delicious BBQ Pulled Pork which is perfect for entertaining! Recipe for oven, pressure cooker and Instant Pot.

Ingredients

For the Spice Rub

For the Pulled Pork

  • 1.5 to 1.8 kg (4 lb) pork shoulder or pork butt
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 250 ml (1 cup) chicken stock

For the Barbecue Sauce

To Serve

  • coriander, (cilantro) finely chopped

Instructions 

For the Pulled Pork

  1. In a small bowl, mix together all of the ingredients for the spice rub.
  2. Cut the pork into very large chunks. I generally buy a whole pork shoulder and cut this into 4 large pieces.
  3. Place the pork into a large bowl.
  4. Rub the spice rub all over the pork.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
  6. Leave the meat to marinate for about 30 minutes, but you can also do this overnight.
  7. Before cooking, let the meat come to room temperature first. This might take about an hour, depending on how warm your kitchen is.
  8. Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F) (without fan).
  9. Heat a large oven-proof pan with some olive oil. The pan should be large enough to snugly fit the pieces of meat in one layer.
  10. Brown the meat on both sides, taking care not to burn the spice rub.
  11. Remove the meat to a large plate.
  12. Cook the onion until it has softened.
  13. Return the meat to the pan, sitting it on top of the onions.
  14. Pour over the chicken stock. The liquid should come to about halfway up the sides of the meat.
  15. Place a lid on the pan, and place the pan into the oven.
  16. Cook for about 3 to 3.5 hours, or until the meat is very tender and a metal spoon cuts through the meat easily. I recommend checking on the meat about 2-3 times, basting the meat each time. (See Kitchen Notes below for using a slow cooker, pressure cooker or Instant Pot.)
  17. Once the meat is ready, shred the meat directly in the pan, into the pan juices. The liquid in the pan (which should be very flavourful by now) will help to keep the meat moist. But if you prefer a drier pulled pork, simply discard some of the liquid.
  18. The pulled pork is ready to use.

For the Barbecue Sauce

  1. Mix together all of the ingredients in a small saucepan.
  2. Simmer gently on medium-high heat for a few minutes.
  3. Taste for seasoning.

To Assemble

  1. Pour the Barbecue Sauce into the pan with the pulled pork.
  2. Mix well over medium-high heat. 
  3. Simmer for a few minutes for the flavours to mingle.
  4. Taste for seasoning.
  5. Garnish with coriander (cilantro) before serving.

Kitchen Notes

  • INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRESSURE COOKER OR INSTANT POT
    * Follow the same instructions as for the stove top.
    * Cook using the manufacturer's instructions on high pressure for 50 to 60 minutes with a slow release
  • INSTRUCTIONS FOR SLOW COOKER
    * Follow the same instructions as for the stove top.
    * Cook on low (95°C/203°F) for 6-8 hours or high (105°C/221°F) for 5-6 hours. The timing may vary depending on the size of the pieces of meat.
  • LEFTOVERS
    This recipe makes more pulled pork than you will need for one meal. Any leftovers can be kept in the fridge in a covered container for a few days.
  • OVEN TEMPERATURES
    All recipes on this website have been tested on an induction stove and/or with a conventional oven (i.e. an oven without fan). All recipes on this website use temperatures for a conventional oven, unless otherwise mentioned. Convection ovens (i.e. fan-forced ovens) are typically 20°C/70°F hotter than conventional ovens, but please check your manufacturer’s handbook.
  • CONVERSIONS
    To convert from cups to grams, and vice-versa, please see this handy Conversion Chart for Basic Ingredients.

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