Description
Savor Dr Pepper pulled pork’s irresistible blend of sweet and tangy flavors that dance across your palate. Southern comfort meets culinary magic in this slow-cooked masterpiece you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 45 pounds (20.4 kilograms) boneless pork shoulder (also known as pork butt)
Liquid and Sauce:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) Dr Pepper soda
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) barbecue sauce
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) paprika
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 large onion, sliced
Instructions
- Craft the flavor foundation by mixing paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper into a robust spice blend.
- Meticulously pat the pork shoulder dry and massage the entire spice mixture into the meat, creating an even, aromatic coating.
- Layer sliced onions across the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a savory bed for the seasoned pork.
- Gently nestle the seasoned pork shoulder atop the onions and generously pour Dr Pepper over the meat, allowing the soda to infuse its distinctive sweetness.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the pork to transform, cooking on low temperature for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the meat becomes impossibly tender.
- Carefully transfer the cooked pork to a spacious cutting surface and use two forks to deconstruct the meat, effortlessly shredding while removing excessive fat.
- Strain the cooking liquid, preserving approximately one cup for potential moisture enhancement.
- Reintroduce the shredded pork to the slow cooker, thoroughly incorporating barbecue sauce and supplementing with reserved liquid if needed for optimal texture.
- Serve the succulent pulled pork warm, offering versatile serving options like sandwich buns, tacos, or as a hearty main course.
Notes
- Choose a fatty cut of pork shoulder or Boston butt for maximum tenderness and flavor that melts in your mouth.
- Low and slow cooking breaks down tough muscle fibers, creating incredibly juicy and tender meat that shreds effortlessly.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper quantity or using mild/spicy barbecue sauce to suit different taste preferences.
- Leftovers freeze beautifully in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making meal prep a breeze for future quick dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg