• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Recipe Diaries
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Summer
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • About
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Summer
    • Recipes
    • Press
    • About
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Smoker Recipes

    Traeger Smoked Pulled Pork

    Published: Jun 22, 2019 · Modified: Apr 22, 2025 by Jenna · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Shredded smoked pulled pork on a sheet pan.

    If you like smoker recipes try my recipe for Traeger Smoked Whole Chicken, Smoked Lobster Tails, Easy Smoked Salmon, Smoked Salsa, or Smoked Queso .

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients Needed
    • Substitution Tips
    • How to make Smoked Pulled Pork:
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Other Smoker Recipes To Try
    • Smoked Pulled Pork

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    After years of testing rubs, spritzes, and smoker temps (and learning a few lessons the hard way), this is the pulled pork recipe I always come back to—and it never lets me down.

    • 🐷 Tender, juicy, fall-apart pork every time
    • 🔥 Low and slow smoke for authentic BBQ flavor
    • 🧂 Simple dry rub and optional spritz for perfect bark
    • 💯 Perfect for meal prep, parties, and leftovers
    • 💪 Easily modified for WW and lighter versions without losing flavor

    Ingredients Needed

    Ingredients Needed for Pork Shoulder Roast.
    • Pork shoulder roast - This pork roast brines in apple juice or cider overnight to help give the pork it's sweet juicy flavor.
    • Unsweetened apple cider - Or 100% Pure Apple Juice (Apple Cider is sometimes not available all year long.
    • Light brown sugar - This is added for sweetness. Brown sugar also has a molasses flavor to it which helps flavor the pork shoulder roast even more!
    • Smoked Paprika - Smoked Paprika will give that extra added smokey flavor to it
      Onion powder - Is used for a less potent onion taste.
      Garlic powder - Garlic powder is a better choice than fresh minced garlic because it helps stick to the meat better.

    See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    Substitution Tips

    • Pork cut: You can use bone-in or boneless pork shoulder, or try a pork loin roast for a leaner WW-friendly version (just expect less fat and moisture).
    • Binder: Use yellow mustard or a tiny bit of olive oil spray to help the rub stick. Yellow mustard is zero points.
    • Brown sugar: Skip or reduce for lower points and sugar. You can sub in a sugar-free brown sweetener if preferred.
    • Seasoning swap: Use your favorite pre-made BBQ rub if you’re short on time—just check the label for sugar if tracking WW points.
    • No smoker? Cook low and slow in the oven at 300°F, adding liquid smoke to replicate the flavor. Or you can even make pulled pork in the Instant Pot. Easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork Tenderloin

    How to make Smoked Pulled Pork:

    Step 1: Place pork shoulder in a large pot and add enough apple cider to cover. Cover pot and refrigerate for 12 hours.

    Pork shoulder roast brining in a bowl.

    Step 2: Combine  brown sugar,  chili powder, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder in a bowl.

    Combined seasonings for pulled pork in a bowl.

    Prepare smoker to about 220 degrees F (99 degrees C). Add enough wood chips to smoker.

    Spread rub over pork shoulder. Transfer pork to the center of smoker.

    Seasoned pork shoulder roast ready for smoker.

    Smoke pork until very tender, about 8 hours. Monitor applewood chips  adding more wood respectively, as needed. Transfer pork to a large platter and cool for 30 minutes before shredding with forks.

    Finished smoked pork roast on a Ninja Woodfire Grill

    Serving Suggestions

    • Serve on toasted buns, Traeger Smoked Potatoes in Foil, with slaw for a classic BBQ sandwich
    • Pile into lettuce wraps or over cauliflower rice for a low-carb option
    • Make BBQ pulled pork tacos with jalapeño slaw
    • Add to mac & cheese, Weight Watchers Microwaved Baked Potato, or nachos
    • Use leftovers in omelets, quesadillas, or grain bowls

    Recipe FAQs

    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 for pulled pork?

    Apple or Cherry give the pulled pork a nice sweet smoky flavor.

    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.

    When is smoked pork done?

    When the pork shoulder reaches about 190°F, start checking it for tenderness with a fork.

    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.

    Other Smoker Recipes To Try

    • Grilled Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
    • How to Grill Top Sirloin Steak
    • Grilled Chicken Burgers with Bacon
    • Blackstone Beef Stir Fry

    If you tried this Smoked Pulled Pork or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Save Recipe

    By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Recipes Diaries.

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

    Smoked Pulled Pork

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
    • Author: Jenna
    • Prep Time: 8 hours
    • Cook Time: 8 hours
    • Total Time: 8 hours
    • Yield: 10 1x
    • Category: BBQ
    • Method: Smoked
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    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.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 (4 lb pork shoulder roast)
    • 1 quart of unsweetened apple cider
    • 5 tablespoons of light brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons of chili powder
    • 2 tablespoons paprika
      1 tablespoon onion powder
      1 tablespoon garlic powder

    Instructions

    1. Place pork shoulder in a large pot and add enough apple cider to cover.
    2. Combine  brown sugar,  chili powder, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder in a bowl. Set aside for later use. 
    3. Cover pot and refrigerate for 12 hours.
    4. Prepare the smoker to about 220 degrees F (99 degrees C). Add enough wood chips to smoker.
    5. Spread rub over pork shoulder. Transfer pork to the center of smoker.
    6. Smoke pork until very tender, about 8 hours. Monitor applewood chips  adding more wood respectively, as needed. Transfer pork to a large platter and cool for 30 minutes before shredding with forks.

    Notes

    Not a WW recipe


    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ½ cup
    • Calories: 556
    • Sugar: 15.1g
    • Sodium: 1
    • Fat: 34.4
    • Saturated Fat: 1
    • Unsaturated Fat: 12.7g
    • Trans Fat: 1
    • Carbohydrates: 16.8g
    • Fiber: .2g
    • Protein: 42.g
    • Cholesterol: 1

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @recipediariesww on Instagram

    More Smoker Recipes

    • Smoked Chicken Tenders
    • Traeger Smoked Asparagus
    • How to Smoke Cheese (Using Smoker Tube)
    • Spicy Smoked Chicken Thighs

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey, I'm Jenna! I'm a graphic designer, photographer, and home cook from From Fargo ND. I love my Ninja Creami, Air Fryer, and Blackstone. I created this blog to share recipe tips and tricks with everyone, enjoy!

    More about me →

    Summer Recipes

    • Air Fryer Ham
    • Easter Crack
    • Peeps Cake
    • Trisha Yearwood's Country Quiche
    • Trisha Yearwood's Blueberry Pancakes
    • Cinnamon Roll Cake

    Popular Recipes

    • Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
    • Smoked Sausage and Potatoes Roasted in Oven
    • Paula Deen's Crockpot Mac and Cheese
    • Tiktok Ramen with Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar
    • Weight Watchers Egg Roll in a Bowl
    • Weight Watchers Zero Point Cabbage Soup

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    My Other Site!

    • My other blog is Spoon and Spin and it's all about Ninja Creami recipes.

    Contact

    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Drop me a message!

    Copyright © 2022 Recipe Diaries

    Smoked Pulled Pork