Low Sodium Classic Pork BBQ

Savor the smoky, tangy flavors of this Low Sodium Classic Pork BBQ—a healthier twist on traditional barbecue that doesn’t skimp on taste. This recipe highlights tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder seasoned with a flavorful dry rub of spices like paprika, cayenne, and brown sugar, ensuring a perfectly balanced blend of heat and sweetness. A homemade, low sodium BBQ sauce made with apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, molasses, and a hint of liquid smoke ties it all together, creating a mouthwatering dish that’s lighter on salt but big on flavor. Perfect for serving on whole grain buns or alongside your favorite sides, this easy oven-roasted BBQ dish delivers all-day cookout vibes with minimal effort. Whether you're meal prepping or hosting a gathering, this low sodium recipe is sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:300 mins

Total Time:320 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Pork shoulder (or butt)
• 2 tablespoons Onion powder
• 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 0.25 cup Brown sugar
• 0.5 cup Apple cider vinegar
• 6 ounces Tomato paste
• 1 cup Unsalted chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons Molasses
• 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon Ground mustard
• 1 cup Apple juice

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar to create a dry rub.

Step 3

Rub the pork shoulder thoroughly with the seasoning mix, ensuring it's evenly coated.

Step 4

Place the seasoned pork shoulder in a large roasting pan.

Step 5

Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven.

Step 6

Cook the pork for about 4.5 to 5 hours or until it is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.

Step 7

While the pork is cooking, make the low sodium BBQ sauce by combining apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, unsalted chicken broth, molasses, liquid smoke, and ground mustard in a medium saucepan.

Step 8

Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a simmer.

Step 9

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally until it slightly thickens.

Step 10

Once the pork is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes.

Step 11

Shred the pork using two forks and discard any excess fat.

Step 12

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded pork with the prepared BBQ sauce. Toss to coat the pork evenly in the sauce.

Step 13

Serve the low sodium pork BBQ on whole grain buns or as a main dish with your favorite sides.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2720.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4724.9

Total Fat 324.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 112.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 1204.2mg	0%
Sodium 1210.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 166.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.3g	0%
Total Sugars 130.4g
Protein 301.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 490.9mg	0%
Iron 30.7mg	0%
Potassium 7706.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.9%

Protein: 25.2%

Carbs: 13.9%