NORTH CAROLINA STYLE PULLED PORK

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North Carolina Style Pulled Pork image

Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are adapted from Elizabeth Karmel's Web site, girlsatthegrill.com. This is the dish that started my love affair with grilling and barbecue. Growing up a stone's throw from Lexington, North Carolina-the World barbecue headquarters-I always visited a barbecue joint to get my pork fix. We'd either eat it there or take it home in quart containers to reheat in a silver chafing dish. After college, I said good-bye to the barbecue joints and moved north. If I was going to enjoy pulled pork more than once or twice a year when I went home, I just had to teach myself how to make it. Here is my tried-and-true version made most often on a gas grill, no less!

Provided by Elizabeth Karmel

Categories     Pork     Backyard BBQ     Dinner     Lunch     Summer     Tailgating     Grill     Grill/Barbecue

Yield Makes 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 bone-in Boston butt or boneless pork shoulder roast, 5 to 7 pounds
Olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
freshly ground black pepper
Hickory wood chips or chunks
8 to 10 white hamburger buns
Lexington-Style Barbecue Sauce
North Carolina Coleslaw

Steps:

  • Grilling Method: Indirect/Medium Heat
  • Soak hickory or other flavor wood chips in water for 30 minutes. Place chips directly on gray-ashed charcoal if using a charcoal grill or in the smoker box if using a gas grill.
  • Lightly oil the pork and season with salt and pepper. Place meat in the center of the cooking grate and cook slowly over low heat for 4 to 5 hours or until an instant-read meat thermometer registers 180°F-190°F. The meat should be very tender and falling apart. You'll know it's done when the bone pulls out clean as a whistle and the meat has shrunk in size.
  • Let the meat rest for about 15 minutes. While it is still hot, pull meat from skin and fat. Discard all but the best meat. Shred or pull the meat apart with two forks. As you work, mix pork with enough sauce to moisten.
  • Serve on white hamburger buns and top with North Carolina Coleslaw that has been dressed with the same sauce. Serve additional sauce on the side, if desired.

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