Melissa D Arabian's Pulled Pork

Melissa D’Arabian’s Pulled Pork is the ultimate slow cooker comfort food, featuring a perfectly spiced pork shoulder that transforms into tender, juicy strands of deliciousness after hours of cooking. This recipe combines a smoky-sweet dry rub with pantry staples like paprika, garlic powder, and brown sugar, while a hint of apple cider vinegar adds tangy depth to every bite. The pork is seared for a golden crust before being slow-cooked in a savory broth, creating melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor. Perfect for meal prepping or entertaining, this versatile pulled pork can be served with barbecue sauce or enjoyed plain in sandwiches, tacos, or alongside your favorite sides. With minimal prep time and irresistible results, this recipe will be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:495 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 lbs Pork shoulder (or pork butt)
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Onion powder
• 2 tbsp Brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup Barbecue sauce (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar.

Step 3

Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, ensuring it is evenly coated.

Step 4

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 5

Sear the pork on all sides until a golden-brown crust forms, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Step 6

Transfer the seared pork shoulder to a slow cooker.

Step 7

Pour the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar into the slow cooker around the pork, ensuring not to pour it directly on top to avoid washing off the spice rub.

Step 8

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shredded with a fork.

Step 9

Once cooked, carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.

Step 10

Optionally, skim excess fat from the cooking liquid, then mix a portion of the liquid back into the shredded pork for added moisture and flavor.

Step 11

Serve the pulled pork as-is or mix it with barbecue sauce. Enjoy in sandwiches, tacos, or alongside your favorite sides!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2376.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5333.3

Total Fat 390.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 130.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 1270.1mg	0%
Sodium 8478.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 142.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.1g	0%
Total Sugars 121.0g
Protein 333.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 315.3mg	0%
Iron 23.8mg	0%
Potassium 5639.9mg	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: 64.9%

Protein: 24.6%

Carbs: 10.5%