Pulled Pork

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

Show: Good EatsEpisode: Q

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (142)

Cook Time:
11 hr 0 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
8 to 10 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: 13 hr 0 min
Cook: 11 hr 0 min
Total:: 24 hr 20 min

Recipe Tools:

Select a Card Size

Add To My Recipe Box

Success

This recipe was added to your Folder_Name folder.

Do not show this message again

Add To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to add this recipe to your Recipe Box.

Ingredients

Brine:

8 ounces or 3/4 cup molasses
12 ounces pickling salt
2 quarts bottled water
6 to 8 pound Boston butt

Rub:

1 teaspoon whole cumin seed
1 teaspoon whole fennel seed
1 teaspoon whole coriander
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon paprika

Directions

Video: Watch Alton make this recipe

Combine molasses, pickling salt, and water in 6 quart Lexan. Add Boston butt making sure it is completely submerged in brine, cover, and let sit in refrigerator for a minimum of 8 hours. 12 hours is ideal.

Place cumin seed, fennel seed, and coriander in food grinder and grind fine. Transfer to a small mixing bowl and stir in chili powder, onion powder, and paprika.

Remove Boston butt from brine and pat dry. Sift the rub evenly over the shoulder and then pat onto the meat making sure as much of the rub as possible adheres. More rub will adhere to the meat if you are wearing latex gloves during the application.

Preheat smoker to 210 degrees F. Place butt in smoker and cook for 10 to12 hours, maintaining a temperature of 210 degrees F. Begin checking meat for doneness after 10 hours of cooking time. Use fork to check for doneness. Meat is done when it falls apart easily when pulling with a fork. Once done, remove from pot and set aside to rest for at least 1 hour. Pull meat apart with 2 forks and serve as sandwich with coleslaw and dressing as desired.

Next Recipe

More recipes? Try these recommendations:

Similar Recipe

Pork Roast with Bacon, Mushroom Gravy and Southern-Style Smothered Green Beans

Photo: Pulled Pork

Similar Recipes

More Top 50 Recipes of 2009 Recipes

Recipes Like This

All About…

Recipe Collections

Showing 1-10 of 11

View all 11 Pork Collections

Comments & Reviews

recipe Pulled Pork
Tony Glenwood, AR 01-02-2010
Flag

How about 6 stars!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Alton, you steered us right; this pulled pork was the best. My roast was a little over 9 pounds and I added an extra 1/3 to... the ingredients for the rub and brine. Our weather was cold and I started my roast about 9:00 PM and left it alone all night. I added extra chips about 7:00 AM just to give it a little extra kick; by the way, I used half hickory and half apple chips. After 13 hours, my internal temp would not go above 150 degrees and I finished it in my oven at 325 degrees for 2 hours until the internal temp reached 170 degrees. After giving the roast an hour to rest, I started pulling it apart. The difficult thing to do was keeping everyone away from it; our group would start nibbling as soon as it came off the bone. This one will be a permanent receipe for this house.Read more
recipe Pulled Pork
Phillip Kingsville, TX 01-01-2010
Flag

Pulled Pork Virgin no more
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

As Alton says, we Texans think bbq = beef. Well, move over beef. I tried this with my bullet smoker, and it was fantastic... and so tender it practically fell apart by merely touching it. I have since added some garlic and additional chili powder to my rub, and I am anticipating another mouth-watering dinner tonight. Not only is this great tasting, it is very economical. I got it on sale for $1/pound.Read more
recipe Pulled Pork
Annette Stoneham, MA 12-31-2009
Flag

Super Bowl !!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Just got a smoker for Christmas! This will definitely be the first recipe I try!! Thanks for all of the great... comments.....they're always helpful! But most of all thank you Alton for your culinary brillance!Read more
recipe Pulled Pork
Jason Kansas City, MO 12-19-2009
Flag

Remember to wash
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

If this recipe was too salty for you then you probably forgot to wash off the brine. Rinse the Pork well under running water... at pat it dry before applying the rub.Read more
recipe Pulled Pork
Scott Milpitas, CA 12-13-2009
Flag

Great Great Recipe!!! Meant for those who enjoy cooking not dumb people looking for short cuts!! A MUST TRY!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is a fantastic recipe. If you enjoy cooking and want to make a traditional good pulled pork this is it. Alton's logic... for brining is spot on and definately makes for beneficial cooking! Alton doesn't mention a internal temp. to go by but based on the cooking times he suggests and my experience making this recipe it is good to take out the pork once it hits about 185 degrees..IMO. To add a twist to this recipe I add bacon, wrapped around pork butt and then when its done you crumple the bacon in the pulled pork as well or have it on the side for those who want to add it! Its flavors run into the meat as it cooks and is great to do for a little different taste. For those who say "I dont have time to smoke something for 10 hrs or all I do is add liquid smoke and put it in a crock pot" Get a life and stay off these pages. Obviously your ignorant and not realizing that these recipes are meant for those willing to put in effort and want to make smoked BBQ. Sure you can always cheat and cook recipes in different ways however do not knock down a spot on recipe because your idea of making great food is opening a box of hamberger helper and rice a roni. Definately try this recipe out!!! Read more
recipe Pulled Pork
Kevin Pleasant Hill, CA 12-12-2009
Flag

I now have my smoked BBQ Trick!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is the best and easiest recipe to cook. I cooked it on a Big Green Egg. It had a great bark, excellent flavor, and... was incredibly moist. It is my trick recipe when I want to impress others with how well I cook. It is interesting how the temperature of the meat "stalls" at about 170 degrees. Takes about 2 hours for it to get past that. Happy BBQ.Read more