Try This at Home: How to Make Pulled Pork

Pat and Gina Neely, hosts of Down Home with the Neelys, show us how to make pulled pork sandwiches.

From: Food Network Magazine

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Try This at Home: Pulled Pork Sandwiches

The Neelys told Food Network Magazine that the Pulled Pork Sandwich is one of the best sellers at their restaurant. "It's huge — you really get your money's worth." It's also easy to make at home!

Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Rub The Pork

Make the Neelys' go-to barbecue seasoning: Mix the paprika, sugar and onion powder in a bowl. Transfer 3 tablespoons seasoning to a separate bowl, add 2 tablespoons salt and 3 tablespoons pepper, and massage onto the pork. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 1 day. (Reserve the remaining barbecue seasoning.)

Prepare The Wood Chips

Soak 6 cups wood chips in water, about 15 minutes, then drain. Don’t oversoak, or the wood will snuff out the fire.

The Neelys' Chip Choice

Pat uses hickory chips for smoking: "It's a Memphis flavor — we have hickory trees here in the yard."

Light The Grill

Fill a smoker or kettle grill with charcoal and light it. (Pat uses lighter fluid; you can also use a chimney starter.)

Spread The Coals

When the coals are mostly white, spread them out with tongs. Spread 1/2 cup of the wood chips over the coals (use 1 cup for a kettle grill). The temperature of the grill should be about 275 degrees F.

Cook The Pork

Place the pork fat-side down on a rack in the smoker or on the grill. Cover and cook, rotating the pork every hour or so, until a thermometer inserted into the center registers 165 degrees F, about 6 hours total.

Feed The Grill

As the pork cooks, add more charcoal and wood chips to keep the temperature between 250 and 275 degrees F and to maintain the smoke level.

Make The Sauce

Meanwhile, mix the ketchup, 1 cup water, both sugars, 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper, the onion and mustard powders, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, corn syrup and 1 tablespoon of the reserved barbecue seasoning in a saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, at least 2 hours. Let cool, then reheat on the grill when ready to use.

Shred The Pork

Transfer the pork to a rimmed baking sheet (you'll want to catch all the flavorful juices) and let stand until cool enough to handle. Shred into bite-size pieces, pile on a platter and pour any juices from the baking sheet on top.

Make The Sandwiches

Mound the pork on bun bottoms, paint with a little barbecue sauce, top with slaw and cover with the bun tops. The best sandwich ever!

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