CAROLINA-STYLE PORK BBQ SANDWICHES

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Carolina-Style Pork BBQ Sandwiches image

Arguably, some of the best 'cue in the country can be found in North Carolina, where two distinct types of slow-cooked pig prevail. The first is Eastern barbecue, which is distinguished by slow-cooking a whole hog and including both the white and dark meat in chopped sandwiches and platters. Eastern 'cue boasts just a hint of vinegar and red pepper, which is added to the meat mix rather than used as a sauce. Western North Carolina 'cue (aka Lexington-style) is made from pork shoulder only. In addition to incorporating plenty of vinegar, sugar, and spices, it also mixes in a good amount of ketchup to create an actual sauce for the pork. This slow-cooker recipe falls somewhere in between.

Provided by Kendra Bailey Morris

Categories     Pork     Sandwich     Grill/Barbecue     North Carolina

Yield Serves 10 to 12 (about 8 cups of meat)

Number Of Ingredients 24

For the pork:
2 large onions, sliced
5-pound boneless pork shoulder roast
6 cloves garlic, smashed
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried red pepper flakes
1 cup cider vinegar
1 cup apple cider or apple juice
For the sauce:
2 cups cooking liquid (reserved from the slow-cooked pork)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper
For assembly:
Buns, slaw, and hot sauce

Steps:

  • Make the pork:
  • Spray the inside of a slow cooker with cooking spray.
  • Put the onions in the slow cooker. Make slits in the pork roast and insert the garlic cloves. Rub salt, pepper, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes into the meat. Place the pork in the slow cooker fat side up and pour in the vinegar and apple cider. Cover and cook on low for at least 10 hours and up to 12 hours, until the meat is falling-apart tender.
  • Transfer the meat to a large bowl and shred it with two forks. Set aside.
  • Make the sauce:
  • Pour 2 cups of the pan juices into a measuring cup; discard any leftover juices still in the pot. Let cool and skim off any visible fat. Pour this liquid into a saucepan. Add the water, ketchup, cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, paprika, dry mustard, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and add 1 cup of the sauce mixture (more if you like it wet). Give it a stir and set the slow cooker to warm until ready to serve.
  • Assemble the sandwiches:
  • Serve the pork straight from the slow cooker with a slotted spoon, along with buns, slaw, and hot sauce. Serve the additional sauce on the side.

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