Best American Kitchen Classic Western Carolina Style Pulled Pork Bbq Recipes

The American Kitchen Classic Western Carolina Style Pulled Pork BBQ recipe is a traditional dish that highlights Southern American cooking at its best. This recipe is popular in the Western part of North Carolina and combines different flavors and techniques to create a delicious and tender meat dish.

Ingredients

The ingredients of this dish include:

Pork shoulder

The main ingredient of the recipe is the pork shoulder, which is a cut of meat that comes from the shoulder of the pig. The shoulder is a tougher cut of meat, but when cooked low and slow, it becomes tender and flavorful, perfect for pulled pork.

Rub

The pork is seasoned with a dry rub made of different spices such as paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. The dry rub adds flavor to the meat and helps to develop a flavorful crust on the outside of the pork.

Barbecue Sauce

The Western Carolina Style BBQ sauce is a vinegar-based sauce that is tangy, sweet, and spicy. The sauce combines vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and other spices to create a bold and flavorful sauce that pairs well with the pork.

Side Dishes

Pulled pork is often served with classic Southern side dishes such as coleslaw, mac and cheese, baked beans, collard greens, and cornbread.

Cooking Process

The cooking process of this dish involves four main steps:

Preparing the Pork

The first step is to prepare the pork shoulder by removing any excess fat and trimming it to fit in the slow cooker. Then, the dry rub is applied to the pork shoulder, covering it completely.

Cooking the Pork

Once the pork shoulder is fully seasoned, it is placed in the slow cooker and cooked on low heat for 8-10 hours, until it is tender and falls apart easily. The pork should be turned once or twice during cooking to make sure it gets evenly cooked.

Shredding the Pork

Once the pork is fully cooked, it can be taken out of the slow cooker and shredded with two forks, separating the meat from the fat and bone.

Serving the Pork

Finally, the pulled pork is mixed with the Western Carolina Style BBQ sauce and served with classic Southern side dishes such as coleslaw, mac and cheese, baked beans, collard greens, and cornbread.

Conclusion

The American Kitchen Classic Western Carolina Style Pulled Pork BBQ recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that highlights Southern American cooking. From the dry rub to the vinegar-based BBQ sauce, this recipe combines different flavors and techniques to create a delicious and tender meat dish that pairs well with classic Southern side dishes. Whether you are hosting a BBQ or dinner party, this recipe is sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.

Pulled pork barbecue is a classic American dish that is popular in many parts of the country. It is a quintessential part of southern cuisine, and each region has its variations in the recipe. Western Carolina style pulled pork BBQ is one such variation that is famous for its tender meat and tangy, vinegar-based BBQ sauce. In this article, we will discuss valuable tips for making the perfect Western Carolina-style pulled pork BBQ. Tip #1- Choose the Right Cut of Meat The first and foremost tip when it comes to making pulled pork BBQ is to choose the right cut of meat. The ideal cut for pulled pork is pork shoulder, also known as pork butt. It is a tough cut of meat that requires slow cooking at low temperatures to break down the connective tissues and make it tender. When selecting pork shoulder, look for one with a good amount of marbling, which will result in a more flavorful dish when cooked. Tip #2- Brine the Meat Brining the meat is an essential step when making pulled pork BBQ. It involves soaking the meat in a solution of salt, sugar, and water. Brining helps to infuse flavor into the meat and keeps it moist during cooking. It also tenderizes the meat and reduces the cooking time. To create a brine for your pork, start by mixing 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 cup of brown sugar in a large bowl of water. Add in any additional herbs or spices you like, such as bay leaves, black pepper, or garlic. Submerge the pork shoulder in the brine solution and refrigerate it for at least 12 hours before cooking. Tip #3- Season the Meat Well Seasoning the meat is another crucial step in creating an excellent Western Carolina-style pulled pork BBQ. The best way to do this is to make a dry rub of a combination of spices, such as paprika, chili powder, cumin, and brown sugar. Rub this mixture all over the pork shoulder, making sure to cover every inch of the meat evenly. Let the seasoned pork refrigerate for at least four hours so that the flavors can penetrate the meat. This dry rub will create a flavorful crust on the meat during the cooking process. Tip #4- Slow Cook the Meat Cooking the meat at a low temperature for an extended period is the single most crucial step to making a delicious pulled pork BBQ. To achieve this, you can either use a smoker or an oven with low heat. If using a smoker, aim for a temperature of 225-250 degrees F and smoke the meat for 1-1.5 hours per pound. If using an oven, preheat it to 250 degrees F and roast the pork on a wire rack set over a baking sheet for 6-8 hours. The goal is to cook the pork shoulder slowly, so that it reaches an internal temperature of 195-205 degrees F and becomes fork-tender. Tip #5- Baste the Meat While cooking the pork shoulder, basting it is a great way to keep it moist and prevent it from drying out. A basting liquid can be as simple as a mixture of cider vinegar, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Every few hours, brush the basting liquid over the meat using a BBQ brush. This process also adds flavor to the meat and helps to develop a beautiful crust on the outside. Tip #6- Let the Meat Rest Once the pork shoulder has reached an internal temperature of 195-205 degrees F, it’s time to remove it from the oven or smoker. But before you start pulling the meat, allow it to rest for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and gives it a chance to cool down enough to handle easily. Tip #7- Pull the Meat After the meat has rested enough, it's time to start pulling it. Using two forks, shred the meat into thin strands, discarding any excess fat or gristle. Use gloved hands to shred the pork shoulder into small pieces. The resulting pork should be tender and flavorful, with a crispy bark on the outside and a perfectly pink interior. Tip #8- Make the BBQ Sauce No Carolina-style pulled pork BBQ is complete without the signature BBQ sauce. This sauce is tangy, vinegar-based, and pairs perfectly with the smoky, tender meat. There are many variations of the sauce, but a classic recipe usually comprises apple cider vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, and a mix of traditional BBQ spices like paprika, garlic, and mustard. To make the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a pot and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. Make sure to taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary. Tip #9- Serve the Meat and Sauce Finally, it's time to serve up the Western Carolina-style pulled pork BBQ. Arrange the pulled pork on a platter and drizzle over the BBQ sauce. Make sure to have extra sauce on the side for people to add more as they want. Serve the pulled pork on a bun with coleslaw or pickles for the classic Carolina-style sandwich. Or, you can serve it on its own with a side of greens, baked beans, or mac and cheese. Conclusion In conclusion, Western Carolina-style pulled pork BBQ is an iconic dish that is easy to make but requires patience and attention to detail. Follow the valuable tips mentioned above to prepare the perfect BBQ dish that is tender, flavorful, and smoky. Remember to use the right cut of meat, season it well, cook it slowly, baste it frequently, let it rest, and pull it to make the perfect pulled pork BBQ. Enjoy!