Smoked Pulled Pork - Traeger

Smoked pulled pork gets brined in apple juice all day or overnight, rubbed with seasoning, and then cooks all day long on a smoker for up to 8 hours. Low and slow is the BEST way to cook your meat. This is how all the famous BBQ places down South and Rib Festers do it.  If you're wondering what Rib Fest is, they have it every year here where I live. Different BBQ vendors come out and sell their food. It's almost like a bunch of Food Trucks that sit out by the street waiting for people to come buy that are hungry.

I prefer my pork slow cooked on a smoker rath than in a slow cooker. The taste is just way better when you smoke it. Of course, if you don’t have a smoker you can always use a slow cooker to do it but I tell you once you learn this process and how simple it is, you will never want to go back to pulled pork made in a slow cooker again. 

You’re going to want to wake up early for this smoking process because smoking a pulled pork can take up to 8 hrs. If you have an 8 to 5 job, I wouldn’t recommend making smoked pulled pork during the week. You need to watch the pellets or wood chips just in case the wood chips start to run out. It all depends on what your daily schedule is like but I would consider making smoked pulled pork on the weekend. 

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How to make Smoked Pulled Pork:

Making smoked pulled pork is a long process but the steps are quite simple.

Go to your local butcher and ask for a pork shoulder roast. Figure out how much pork you’re going to be serving first before deciding on how many pounds to buy. A couple of years ago my town didn’t have any local butcher shops to go to so you had to rely on your butcher at the grocery store. 

Find a vessel large enough to cover your pork and the brine. I used my pot that my Instant Pot came with because I used a 4 pound roast. I originally had a 7 pound roast but I didn’t want to use it all so I cut mine in half and saved the other half for later use. Coolers work very well for this too. 

After 8 hrs of brining in apple juice take the pork butt out and rub the seasoning all over it. Place it on the smoker at 220 degrees for up to 8 hrs. Check your wood chips every now and then to make sure they aren’t running out. On my Traeger smoker, my smoker will just go cold if I don’t have the basket fully stocked of chips. Then the pellets get dumped all over the bottom and sometimes won’t go out. Just make sure your smoker is cleaned well before attempting to smoke anything for long periods of time. so helpful. They remind me of tinfoil for easy clean up.

What can I make with Smoked Pulled Pork?

Smoked pulled pork is a versatile protein that can be used in a variety of dishes and recipes. Here are a few ideas for what you can make with smoked pulled pork:

1. Pulled pork sandwiches: The classic way to enjoy smoked pulled pork is in a sandwich, either on a bun or between slices of bread. You can add your favorite toppings, such as coleslaw, barbecue sauce, or pickles.
2. Pulled pork wraps: Smoked pulled pork can also be used in wraps, along with your choice of vegetables and condiments.
3. Soups and stews: Smoked pulled pork can be added to soups and stews to add flavor and protein. It can be incorporated into classic dishes like black bean soup or used in more creative recipes like pulled pork and corn chowder.
4. Pizzas and nachos: Smoked pulled pork can be used as a topping for pizzas or nachos for a delicious and unexpected twist.
5. Pasta dishes: Smoked pulled pork can be mixed into pasta dishes, such as macaroni and cheese or spaghetti carbonara, for a protein-packed meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make smoked pulled pork in a slow cooker or Instant Pot? Yes, you can make smoked pulled pork in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Simply season the pork shoulder with your preferred dry rub or marinade, and cook it on low heat in the slow cooker for 8-10 hours or in the Instant Pot on the "meat" setting for about 90 minutes.

What are some common sides to serve with smoked pulled pork? Some common sides to serve with smoked pulled pork include coleslaw, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and mashed potatoes.

What are the Best wood chips to use? either apple or cherry for smoking a pork. 

How long does it take to smoke a pork shoulder at 225?

With a smoker operating at 225-250° Fahrenheit, it can take from one hour per pound to one and one-half hours per pound to cook, and maybe even longer depending on the size and fat content of the shoulder.

Smoked Pulled Pork is done:  When the pork shoulder reaches about 190°F, start checking it for tenderness with a fork.

Should I smoke pulled pork in a pan? You can use an aluminum foil pan to cook your pork shoulder in. This avoids any messes to clean up after in your smoker from the fat dripping off the pork.

Should I wrap my pork in foil? The best time to wrap pork in foil is at the 5 hour mark or when the pork is 160 degrees.

I don't have a smoker, can I make pulled pork in my Instant Pot or Slow Cooker? Yes you can! You can read my post for making Instant Pot Pulled Pork here. Just use this recipe but do not follow the instructions for smoking.

Other Smoker Recipes

Smoked Corn on the Cobb

Smoking Ribs for Beginner

How to Smoke Cheese

Smoked Lobster Tails

Smoked Asparagus 

Smoked Almonds Recipe just like at the Fair 

Storage Tips 

Always store leftovers in clean, food-grade containers. The  type  of container doesn’t really matter. Use zip lock, glass, plastic,  whatever!  Just make sure the food is sealed tight before storing in the fridge or freezer. 

Contact Info 

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