BIG RED SLOW-COOKER PULLED PORK

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Big Red Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork image

The pairing of barbecue and Big Red Soda is super-popular throughout the South, so why not combine the two in one killer dish? The sweet, cult-favorite cream soda, originally from Texas, is often compared to cinnamon bubble gum, but also has notes of lemon, orange, and vanilla. Here, it's combined with barbecue sauce as a cooking liquid for slow-cooked, spice-rubbed pork shoulder, with results that are sweet, spicy, and as uniquely flavored as Big Red itself.

Provided by Rhoda Boone

Categories     Grill/Barbecue     Pork     Backyard BBQ     Sandwich     Texas     Slow Cooker

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

For the pork:
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (6-pound) skinless, boneless pork shoulder roast (pork butt or Boston butt)
1 cup Big Red soda
1/2 cup store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce (not too sweet)
For the Big Red barbecue sauce:
1 cup store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce (not too sweet)
2 tablespoons (or more) Big Red soda
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper (optional)
For the sandwiches (optional):
Hamburger buns, sliced pickles, and vinegar-based cabbage slaw (for serving)
Special Equipment
A large slow-cooker (at least 6 quarts)

Steps:

  • Cook the pork:
  • Mix salt, black pepper, cumin, paprika, and cayenne in a small bowl. Rub all over pork.
  • Stir soda and barbecue sauce in slow cooker. Place pork in slow cooker, cover, and cook on low, spooning juices over top of pork or turning occasionally, until meat is very tender and falls apart when shredded with 2 forks, about 8 hours.
  • Transfer pork to a rimmed baking sheet and let cool slightly. Shred pork with 2 forks. Discard large pieces of unrendered fat or gristle.
  • Make the Big Red barbecue sauce:
  • Stir barbecue sauce and 2 Tbsp. soda in a medium bowl. Taste and add up to 1 Tbsp. Big Red, depending on sweetness of barbecue sauce. Toss shredded pork in desired amount of sauce and drizzle more sauce over. You can also spoon some cooking liquid over pork for extra flavor. Season with salt and pepper, if needed.
  • Serve pork with Big Red sauce alongside, or make sandwiches with buns, pork, slaw, pickles, and an extra drizzle of sauce, if desired.
  • Do Ahead
  • Pork can be coated in spice rub 1 day ahead; chill. Pork can be cooked and shredded up to 3 days ahead; transfer to an airtight container and chill.

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