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If you’ve ever wanted to make perfect pulled pork at home, this is the recipe! It’s incredibly juicy, fall-apart tender, and packed with bold, savory flavor with no smoker required.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Pulled Pork
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- What’s the Best Pork for Pulled Pork?
- How to Make Pulled Pork in the Oven
- What to Serve with Pulled Pork
- How Long to Cook Pulled Pork
- How to Make Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Can I Make Pulled Pork on a Smoker?
- Can I Make This Pulled Pork Recipe in the Slow Cooker?
- Tips to Making the Best Pulled Pork
- Can You Make This Ahead of Time?
- More PORK DINNER RECIPES You Must Try:
- Watch This Video Tutorial!
- Pulled Pork Recipe
This easy oven pulled pork is our go-to for feeding a crowd, meal prepping, or piling high onto soft buns for the ultimate pulled pork sandwich. It does take time, but the process is mostly hands-off and completely worth it. Trust me, once you make pulled pork this way, you won’t go back!
The Secret to the Best Pulled Pork
The magic of this recipe comes down to two simple things:
- Low and slow cooking – This breaks down the meat until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Layered flavor – We use a brine, a dry rub, and sauce to build deep, rich flavor in every bite.
The key to making this pulled pork recipe is the brine. You’re actually going to start this recipe two days ahead of time with the brine, and it takes time to make tender, juicy pulled pork in the oven. So plan your schedule accordingly, and get ready for the best pulled pork of your life!
Why You’ll Love This Pulled Pork
- Texture: Fall-apart tender and incredibly juicy
- Flavor: Packed with sweet, smoky, and savory flavor
- Versatile: Perfect for pulled pork sandwiches, tacos, bowls, and more
- No Expensive Equipment Needed: Oven method = no smoker needed
- Budget-Friendly: Great for feeding a crowd or meal prep for cheap
- Freezer-Friendly: Stores well and reheats beautifully
Ingredients You’ll Need
There are three main components to this pulled pork recipe: the brine, dry rub, and BBQ sauce. Each layer adds flavor and helps create that perfectly tender, juicy result.
- Pork Shoulder: The best cut for pulled pork thanks to its fat content, which keeps the meat juicy and tender during long cooking.
Pulled Pork Brine
- Water + Apple Cider: Adds moisture and a subtle sweetness (you can also use apple cider vinegar for a tangier flavor, but we prefer apple cider).
- Kosher Salt: Essential for tenderizing the meat and enhancing flavor.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Balances the salt and adds a hint of sweetness.
- Dry Rub: Adds bold flavor as the pork brines.
- Bay Leaves + Red Pepper Flakes: Add depth and a mild, warm spice.
Pulled Pork Dry Rub
- Onion Powder: Adds a subtle, savory onion flavor that blends seamlessly into the rub without any texture.
- Smoked Paprika: Brings a rich, smoky flavor and deep color that gives the pork that classic BBQ taste.
- Garlic Powder: Adds bold, savory depth and enhances all the other flavors in the rub.
- Chili Powder: Delivers mild heat and a warm, slightly earthy flavor that builds complexity.
- Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning the meat and helping tenderize it as it cooks.
- Black Pepper: Adds a gentle heat and a little bite to balance the sweetness in the rub.
- Cayenne Pepper: Gives a touch of heat that you can adjust based on your spice preference.
- Dry Mustard: Adds a subtle tang and sharpness that enhances the overall flavor.
- Cumin: Brings a warm, slightly smoky, earthy flavor that deepens the rub.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a caramelized, flavorful crust on the pork.
Homemade BBQ Sauce
You can use your favorite store-bought sauce, but homemade takes it over the top.
- Apple Cider Vinegar + White Vinegar: Create a tangy, slightly sharp base that balances the sweetness and gives the sauce that classic BBQ bite.
- Brown Sugar: Adds rich sweetness and helps thicken the sauce while balancing the vinegar.
- Chili Powder: Brings warmth and a mild smoky flavor that ties the sauce together.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Add a little kick of heat and extra depth to the sauce.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweet and tangy elements.
If you want to go Carolina style, make Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce or Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce! You won’t regret it! They are Cade’s favorite!
What’s the Best Pork for Pulled Pork?
For the best results, use a pork shoulder (Boston butt). It has enough fat to stay juicy and shred beautifully after cooking.
How to Make Pulled Pork in the Oven
This pulled pork recipe looks lengthy, but each step of this recipe is incredibly easy. Here’s a quick overview of how to make pulled pork in the oven:
Brine the Pork (12–24 hours): Let the pork soak in the brine overnight for maximum flavor and tenderness.
Season: Pat the pork dry and rub it generously with the dry rub.
Cook Low and Slow: Place in a baking dish, fat side up, and bake at a low temperature until the internal temp reaches 200°F.
Rest: Turn off the oven and let the pork rest for 1–2 hours.
Shred: Remove excess fat, then shred with two forks.
Finish with Flavor: Toss with reserved juices, extra dry rub, and BBQ sauce.
What to Serve with Pulled Pork
If you’re making pulled pork sandwiches, serve with buns or hoagie rolls and a side of coleslaw.
For sides, stick with classic BBQ favorites like:
- Mexican Street Corn – Elote
- Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
- Macaroni Salad
- Potato Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Baked Beans
How Long to Cook Pulled Pork
Plan for 10–12+ hours depending on the size.
Pulled pork is done when:
- It reaches 200–205°F internally
- It shreds easily with a fork
Low and slow is the key—don’t rush it!
How to Make Pulled Pork Sandwiches
This is where things get really good.
Pile the warm pulled pork onto:
- Hoagie Rolls
- Hawaiian Rolls
- Soft Brioche Buns
Top with:
- Coleslaw (classic!)
- Extra BBQ sauce
- Pickles – if desired, it’s a hard pass for me!
👉 Pro tip: Add a little extra dry rub to the shredded pork before serving—it makes a huge difference in flavor.
Can I Make Pulled Pork on a Smoker?
If you’d rather make smoked pulled pork instead of oven pulled pork, we recommend following our Smoked Pulled Pork Recipe. It gives step-by-step instructions on smoking pulled pork on a Traeger.
Can I Make This Pulled Pork Recipe in the Slow Cooker?
Yes this can be done in the slow cooker, but we’ve found that it doesn’t do it justice. It is also hard to fit the size of pork butt you need into a crock pot. If you decide to try it, it will cook for the same amount of time on low. Follow the brining instructions as written, and no need to add any liquid to the slow cooker. There’s enough juice in the pork to keep cooking properly.
Tips to Making the Best Pulled Pork
- Always let it rest before shredding (at least 1 hour)
- Cook to temperature, not time
- Don’t skip the brine if you want maximum flavor
- Add extra rub after shredding (game changer!)
- Save the juices and mix them back in
Can You Make This Ahead of Time?
This pulled pork is a dream for making ahead, which makes it perfect for parties, trips, or feeding a crowd.
Once the pork is finished cooking, you have a couple easy options:
- Serve it later the same day:
Remove it from the oven, cover it, and let it rest. It will stay hot for quite a while—perfect if you’re traveling or finishing up the rest of your meal. We’ve even taken it straight in the car, and it’s ready to shred and serve a couple hours later. - Make it ahead and store:
Let the pork rest, then shred and cool completely. Store it in airtight containers or freezer bags (We love our Foodsaver for this!) and freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat:
Thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm in a covered pan in the oven (at 250°F, covered with foil) or on the stovetop. Add a little of the juices or extra sauce and keep it covered so it stays nice and juicy.
👉 Pro tip: Repurpose the leftovers in pulled pork pizza or pulled pork nachos!
This pulled pork recipe is everything you want…tender, juicy, packed with flavor, and incredibly easy to make at home. Whether you’re serving it as a classic pulled pork sandwich, feeding a crowd, or meal prepping for the week, this recipe delivers every single time.
More PORK DINNER RECIPES You Must Try:
- Hawaiian Pulled Pork
- Apple Chutney Pork Chops
- Apple Cider Braised Pork
- Stuffed Pork Chops
- Roasted Pork Loin
Watch This Video Tutorial!
Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 5-8 Pound Pork Butt, bone in and fat pad on top
For the Dry Rub
- 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika, heaping
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 ½ Tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Cayenne Powder
- 2 teaspoons Dry Mustard
- 1 Tablespoon Cumin
- ½ Cup Dark Brown Sugar
For the Brine
- 4 Cups Water
- 4 Cups Apple Cider, or eliminate the water and use 8 cups of apple cider
- ½ Cup Kosher Salt
- ½ Cup Dark Brown Sugar
- 3 Tablespoons Dry Rub, heaping
- 1 Pinch Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 Bay Leaves
For the BBQ Sauce (Optional)
- ½ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ Cup White Vinegar
- ¼ Cup Brown Sugar, up to 1/3 Cup
- ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
- 2 Pinches Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- NOTE: This recipe should be started 2 days ahead of time as you need 24 hours in the fridge, 12-14 in the oven and 2 hours of resting.
Prepare the Dry Rub:
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a ziploc bag. Set aside.1 Tablespoon Onion Powder, 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika, 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder, 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder, 1 ½ Tablespoon Kosher Salt, 1 Tablespoon Pepper, 2 teaspoons Cayenne Powder, 2 teaspoons Dry Mustard, 1 Tablespoon Cumin, ½ Cup Dark Brown Sugar
For the Brine
- In a large stock pot, add the water, apple cider, salt, sugar, 3 tablespoons dry rub, pepper flakes and bay leaves.4 Cups Water, 4 Cups Apple Cider, ½ Cup Kosher Salt, ½ Cup Dark Brown Sugar, 3 Tablespoons Dry Rub, 2 Bay Leaves, 1 Pinch Red Pepper Flakes
- Rinse off the pork and add to the pot making sure it is completely covered in the brine and add the lid.5-8 Pound Pork Butt
- Place in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours.
For the Sauce
- In a glass jar, add the ingredients and place the lid on then shake to combine. Set aside.½ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar, ½ Cup White Vinegar, ¼ Cup Brown Sugar, ½ teaspoon Chili Powder, 2 Pinches Red Pepper Flakes, Salt
To Cook
- Heat the oven to 225 degrees F.
- Remove the pork from the brine and place in a roasting dish or 9×13" baking pan as long as the sides don't touch the pan.
- Pat very dry with paper towels.
- Remove 2 tablespoons of the dry rub to another ziploc and set aside for after it is cooked.
- Rub the remaining seasoning all over the pork and in any cracks or flaps.
- With the fat facing up, place the pork in the oven with a meat thermometer.
- Bake for 12-14 hours or until 200 degrees F registers on the thickest part of the pork with a meat thermometer. *Remember to watch your oven, ours turns off automatically at 12 hours so I have to turn it back on.
- At this point you can turn off the oven and leave the pork in there to rest for two hours or if you have more baking to do place foil over the meat and allow to rest on the stove.
- Once the meat has rested, remove the fat from the top and using two forks, shred the meat and remove the bone.
- Drain half of the juices out and add the remaining dry rub to taste, toss to coat and drizzle a little vinegar sauce over everything.
- Serve immediately as is or on buns.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What would you recommend as cooking time for doing a 12 pound shoulder or two 6 pound shoulders? I have to make this for about 16-20 people.
Also I made this last month and it was incredible! Such a good recipe! Thank you so much for sharing with all of us!
Technically, if you follow the recipe with an 8 pounder, that will feed 16-20 people. If you do two, just follow the same recipe and instructions. I haven’t tried a 12 pounder, so you’ll just have to test the internal temperature, but 14 hours should be plenty of time I think. Enjoy!!
Ok, I am reading through comments and cannot exactly find my answer. I have apple juice and apple cider vinegar. How much would I use of each to sub for 4 cups apple cider? HELP!
Hi Lori! You can use either one and just keep the same measurement – 4 cups. Apple cider vinegar will give you a little tangier flavor. Both will work great! Or you could do half of one and half of the other.
Just as an addendum to this comment… DO NOT BRINE IN VINEGAR!!!!! My husband made the brine up the last time we cooked a shoulder and I knew what he had done the moment I tasted the first bite. He misread the recipe and used apple cider vinegar instead of apple cider. The result was very, VERY mushy meat. It tasted ok but wasn’t nearly as appetizing. We ended up tossing more than half of it as our kids wouldn’t eat it.
We’ve had some readers that have really liked it brined in apple cider vinegar, but we prefer the apple cider. Thank you for the feedback!
I made this today. All I can say is it is AWESOME! Thank you.
Yay! We sure love it! Glad you enjoyed it!
I’m planning on making this tomorrow. It looks amazing! But, the recipe doesn’t say to cook it covered or uncovered. How should I cook it?
Hi Stephanie! It is cooked uncovered. Enjoy!
Thank you! One more question, sorry, i’ve never made this before. Should I baste it with something? The one you made looks amazing, i’m just worried it will dry out.
No basting needed! With the fat on top, it will stay plenty moist! Hope you enjoy it!
Hello! I made this recipe for my family for Christmas Eve and it put all my anxieties of cooking for family aside because it was AMAZING. Naturally, we heeded your warning of self-shutoff ovens and watched it closely for 8 hours and since it didn’t shut off we thought we were in the clear and went on a family drive. Well apparently it must have shut off shortly after we left and we were eagerly watching the thermometer which was staying right at about 175 degrees. It was getting too close to the serving time and I wanted time for it to rest so I took it out knowing it was passed the temperature at which pork is fully cooked. It was super moist, pulled apart beautifully, and no one got sick so I’m wondering why the 200 degree done mark? I am making this again (and doubling it) this weekend for a crowd of 15 so I figured I would ask the master! Thanks!
We have found that 200 degrees is when it shreds the best and is the most tender. It’s safe to eat at 160 degrees. Enjoy this weekend!!
This is hands down my keep going back to recipe. I have received so many compliments even from some family that comes up from the Carolina’s that it is fantastic. I’ve always made it in the crockpot and it comes out great, bone pulls itself out. I usually do a 13lb pork shoulder or if I have a party I have no choice but to make 2 because this is the first food item to go first. I don’t alter with the recipe other than just using the Apple Cider Vinegar vs the apple cider and I had a touch of liquid smoke.
Thank you Kristina! We love to hear it! It is always a hit anywhere we take it too! Now I’m craving it!
How long did you have it in the crockpot?
Has this been tried using a Big Green Egg? I´m trying it for the Super Bowl, any suggestions?
We haven’t tried it on a Big Green Egg, but we have tried it on the grill and in a smoker. The oven really is the best!
About the Big Green Egg:We’ve done NC pork BBQ in our Big Green Egg in CA, and it is perfect..
Thank you for the feedback!!
Before I found your great recipe, I already shopped and bought a large pork loin 🙁 but it is about 8lbs with what seems to be a fair amount of fat & marbling. How do you think this will work instead of a pork shoulder / Boston butt? Sounds like an amazing recipe and I’m looking forward to making it this weekend. Thank you!!
It will still pull apart and be delicious. It is a different cut so it will have a little different flavor.
Cheney’s- Do you have a reccomendation for making the worlds best carolina pulled pork in a crock pot or insta-pot? Will I get the same results? I want to make it so bad, but am reluctant to leave my oven on all day while I am away at work. I do have weekends off, but my event is planned for a wednesday night and I want it to be as fresh as possible Any pointers? Thanks in advance for your help!
Ok, leaving your oven on should be totally fine! They are programmed to shut off if anything crazy happens. You could do the crock pot, but it doesn’t do it justice at all. We haven’t tried it in the instant pot yet. Another problem with the crock pot and instant pot is they don’t usually fit the size of pork butt that you need. If you end up doing the crock pot, it will cook for the same amount of time.
Hello!
I made this last year and it turned out amazing. I am hoping to make it prior to a family vacation, freezing, and reheating in a oven/crockpot. Would you have any recommendations on reheating?
Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!
Hey Will! Yes, there is a section in the post on reheating it. Check that out and if you have questions, let me know! So glad you enjoy it!
Just want to say that I made this in the crock pot the other day and it came out great. I make pulled pork in the crock pot a lot, and this was one of the best recipes I’ve used.
Our work schedules are kinda crazy, so I ended up brining the pork for 12 hours. Used apple cider vingar + water instead of the apple cider. Left it in the crock pot on low for 12 hours; bone basically removed itself for me. I saved some of the liquid and even popped it in the oven for a few minutes afterwards. Also added a little liquid smoke to this; overall it was a hit! The oven prob gives you that nice crust on the outside before you pull it, but it’s still delicious.
I’ll be making this again over the weekend for a pot luck, but this time I’ll probably use more vinegar in the brine (I only used 1c + 3 c water; I ended up adding more vinegar later cause I didn’t use this sauce). For reference, I used about a 7lb shoulder and it fit perfectly into my crock pot. I do tend to trim a lot of the fat off beforehand when I make it in there & if it is too big you can always trim and add to the sides (which I find can be necessary for a bigger piece of meat).
Thank you for this wonderful feedback!! Popping it in the oven after being in the crockpot is totally the key to getting that crusty exterior. Thank you again for leaving a comment!
Just a side note, and perhaps im getting into this conversation a little late. But i have prepared this recipe numerous times using all three methods (crock pot, intsant pot, oven). However, i have to advocate for the oven, as the best result. The crock pot comes in at 2nd, with the instant pot at 3. I want to try a smoker with this recipe when i get a chance. However part of the “science” of true barbeque is the process of caramelization (that may be spelled rong lol). In order for that process to occur, you need to allow steam to escape during the heating process. The oven/smoker is an open system, so the sugars caramelize real easy. The crock pot is a closed system, but not totally air tight (for example, my pot has a small hole for a probe, steam can escape). Some caramelization occurs, but not much. The instant pot allows for no caramelization being its a totally closed system, in part using the steam buildup to cook. Don’t get me wrong, the product you will get from the instant pot will be delicious, but not BBQ from a traditional sense.
I do use the instant pot to create the brine. I will cut up about 6 granny smith apples, a peeled and cut up lemon, a small can of crushed pineapple, kosher salt, the rub, and brown sugar, bay leaves, etc. Add water to the full mark, and pressure cook for 30 min. After the pressure is released, i mash the contents, and strain into the brining container. When the liquid is at room temp (or colder) i add the meat, then add enough water to cover the meat. It has worked phenomenally.
I hope this was more helpfull than long winded. I just love Bbq, and talking about it.
Thank you so much for this feedback!! You have given some excellent tips and you totally nailed it with the oven being the best! We do have a recipe for a smoker when you get a chance to try it!
https://ohsweetbasil.com/smoke-pulled-pork-on-a-traeger/
I really didn’t plan this right. My shoulder has been brined for 24 hours, but I can’t cook it until tomorrow. Can I leave it in the brine or should I remove it and wrap it in foil until tomorrow?
It can be left in the brine for another 8-10 hours and then just set it in a pan with plastic wrap, not foil. Enjoy!!