North Carolina barbeque flavors feature tangy dry rubs and zesty-sweet vinegar sauces. This North Carolina Style Pulled Pork recipe brings those deep flavors to your own kitchen! The pressure-cooked pork is perfectly tender and juicy for mouth-watering bites. When combined with traditional North Carolina spices and a homemade vinegar sauce, it’s the stuff of summer’s (or spring or autumn or winter’s) dreams.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed
- 4 teaspoons Hungarian sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 pounds pork shoulder, boneless and cut into 1-inch thick slices
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup beer, such as lager, Pilsner, or amber
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
For the vinegar sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 teaspoons dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Directions
Step 1 –Mix the dark brown sugar, sweet paprika, kosher salt, mustard powder, black pepper, and onion powder in a bowl large enough accommodate the 3 pounds of pork.
Step 2 –Add in the pork shoulder, tossing to coat. Make sure every piece of the pork is evenly coated.
Step 3 –Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 6 hours and up to overnight.
Step 4 –Set the pressure cooker to warm or sauté and set the timer for 30 minutes.
Step 5 –Heat the olive oil in the pot of the slow cooker.
Step 6 –Working in batches, add in the pork slices.
Step 7 –Cook until each slice is browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Step 8 –Transfer the browned slices to a plate. Try not to crowd the slices in each batch.
Step 9 –Add the beer, chicken broth, and browned pork into the pot along with any remaining juices left on the plate.
Step 10 –Lock the lid in place, sealing it.
Step 11 –Press the warm/sauté setting and set the cooking time for 42 minutes.
Step 12 –Once the time is up, manually release the pressure.
Step 13 –Remove the lid when safe to do so.
Step 14 –Move the pork to a platter and let it cool.
Step 15 –Discard most of the cooking liquid in the pot, reserving 1 tablespoon on the bottom.
Step 16 –Combine the vinegar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dark brown sugar, kosher salt, red pepper flakes, and Dijon mustard in the pot with the reserved liquid.
Step 17 –Press the warm/sauté setting and let the sauce cook for 15 minutes, bringing the liquid to a simmer.
Step 18 –Shred the pork with a fork.
Step 19 –Cover the pork with the vinegar sauce and serve.
