The Best Pulled Pork

This has to be the Best Pulled Pork recipe that I have ever tried and it is a simple meal you can set and forget. The pork shoulder works better if you want a leaner cut of pork. But you can use a pork butt roast as well. The end result is a tender pulled pork meat you can place on a fresh bun or on top of rice with or without a homemade gravy.

Before we continue, I should let you know that you will need to marinate the pork overnight to make the best pulled pork dinner and you will need 6 to 8 hours cook time.

The best part, if you are lucky - is having leftovers, which will taste just as good as the first day or better!

This is such an easy pulled pork recipe to make that you won't understand why it took you so long to try it.  Adopted from Simply Recipes, the Best Pulled Pork I have ever had. For the original recipe by Elise Bauer, click here.

Jump to:

• Tips and Tricks to Making The Best Pulled Pork Dinner
• Trimming and Marinating the Pork
• CrockPot vs. Stove Top
• Making Gravy
• Pulling the Pork
• Warm Up Your Buns
• Leftovers
• Recipe Details

Tips and Tricks to Making The Best Pulled Pork Dinner

Trimming and Marinating the Pork

If the pork skin is still attached, trim it off along with the fat that sits just under the skin.  Remember that the meat will need to marinate at least overnight.

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Place the pork in a bowl and pour the marinating liquid over it.  Cover it and place it in the fridge overnight.  You can also place the meat and marinating liquid in a clear plastic bag instead of a bowl.

CrockPot vs. Stove Top

Many people use a slow cooker, but I'm a little old fashioned and prefer the stove top method for making the best pulled pork. I do have a slower cooker, and I have tried using a slow cooker for this recipe, but I prefer to use a pot because I get better control of the temperature especially if I want to raise or lower the heat as needed.  

In the morning or when you are ready to start cooking the pork, place  the marinated pork with its juices in a pot and add about 3 cups of water.  Bring the pot to a boil and then let it simmer for 4 to 6 hours.  Check on the pork every hour by poking a fork in the meat. If the fork does not come out easily, continue cooking.  Turn the meat over carefully to ensure that it cooks evenly on both sides.  (By the way, you can also cut the meat into smaller pieces which will allow the meat to cook quicker and more evenly.)

Repeat the above process until a fork inserted into the pork easily separates the meat.

Making Gravy

Once the meat is ready, you can prepare the pork juices for gravy by using a ladle to scoop up the liquid and placing it in a small saucepan.  Place the saucepan in the freezer on a stable surface being careful not to spill the liquid.  Putting the meat juices in the freezer is a great method to remove the most of the fat from the pork broth by allowing it to cool down and skimming off the solidified fat from the surface of the broth.

It should take about an hour for the fact to solidify.  Scoop off the fat and throw it away.  Make a slurry of starch and water (2 tsp of starch to ¼ cup of water) and pour it into the saucepan with the pork broth.  Heat up the saucepan, as the liquid begins to warm up and boil, the liquid will thicken.

Pulling the Pork

You will know that the pork is done once it starts to break apart very easily using a fork.  Once the meat is done place the pork on a cutting board to rest for about 15 minutes. Discard any bones and any large pieces of fat. Using two forks begin to pull the pork apart.  It should come apart very easily.

Place the shredded pork back in the pot with about 1 cup of the reserved pork broth. When you are ready to eat, you can then warm up the meat and place it in a bowl.  And place the gravy in a gravy boat.

Warm Up Your Buns

There is nothing better than eating pulled pork on a warm kaiser bun.  If you want a nice crispy bun, heat up the oven to about 350°F and then turn off the oven.  Place the buns in the oven for about 5 minutes after you have turned off the oven.  Do this just before you are about to serve the pulled pork.

Leftovers

There is absolutely nothing better than the best Pulled Pork leftovers.  Store them in an airtight container for not longer than 5 days. You can also freeze leftovers in an airtight container for not longer than a month. When ready, remove from freezer and let thaw out in the fridge overnight.

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