Memorial Day BBQ Pulled Pork Feast

Celebrate with Flavor: Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork and Perfect Summer Sides

Long Weekend BBQ Bliss

Long weekends are the perfect opportunity to gather friends and family and enjoy outdoor barbecues and picnics. These moments are about savoring good food, great company, and the simple pleasures of sunshine and laughter. As the grill sizzles and the aroma of delicious food fills the air, the atmosphere becomes alive with anticipation and camaraderie.

For these memorable gatherings, pulled pork stands out as an excellent choice. It’s not only incredibly flavorful but also versatile and perfect for feeding a crowd. This tender, slow-cooked delight allows everyone to customize their meal to their liking. Whether they prefer extra BBQ sauce, a heaping of coleslaw, crisp lettuce, or fresh onions, each guest can create their perfect pulled pork masterpiece.

Set up a topping station with an array of condiments and sides, and let everyone enjoy the fun of building their own sandwiches. Pulled pork’s crowd-pleasing nature ensures that your outdoor event will be a hit, leaving everyone satisfied and smiling as they share in the delicious feast.

Pulled Pork Recipe

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Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Rub: In a small bowl, mix paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
2. Season the Pork: Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder. Ensure it’s well-coated.
3. Slow Cook: Place the seasoned pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Add apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, and liquid smoke. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the pork is tender and easily shredded.
4. Shred the Pork: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Discard any excess fat.
5. Mix with BBQ Sauce: Mix the shredded pork with BBQ sauce to taste.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect BBQ Pulled Pork

Preparation

1. Trim Excess Fat: Trim any large, visible fat from the pork shoulder before applying the rub. This ensures a better texture and flavor.
2. Even Seasoning: Make sure to coat the pork shoulder evenly with the spice rub. For best results, let the seasoned pork rest in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

Cooking

1. Low and Slow: Cooking the pork low and slow in a slow cooker ensures tender, juicy meat. Don’t rush the process; patience is key.
2. Check for Doneness: The pork is ready when it easily shreds with a fork. If it’s still tough, give it more time.

Shredding

1. Use Claws or Forks: Use meat claws or two large forks to shred the pork. Shred it into bite-sized pieces for easy serving.
2. Mix with Juices: After shredding, mix the pork back into the cooking juices to keep it moist and flavorful.

Chef’s Notes

• Flavor Boost: For an extra layer of flavor, sear the pork shoulder on all sides in a hot skillet before placing it in the slow cooker.
• Liquid Smoke: Adding a few drops of liquid smoke to the cooking liquid can give your pulled pork a smoky, barbecue flavor even if you’re not cooking it on a grill or smoker.
• Sauce Variety: Try serving with different types of BBQ sauces on the side (e.g., mustard-based, vinegar-based, or tomato-based) to please a variety of palates.

Storage

1. Refrigerate: Store any leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
2. Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the pulled pork in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
3. Reheat Properly: Reheat the pork gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or BBQ sauce to keep it moist.

Serving Suggestions

1. Sandwiches: Serve pulled pork on soft buns with coleslaw and a drizzle of BBQ sauce for classic pulled pork sandwiches.
2. Tacos: Use pulled pork as a filling for tacos, topped with fresh salsa, avocado, and cilantro.
3. Salads: Add pulled pork to a hearty salad with mixed greens, black beans, corn, and a tangy vinaigrette.
4. Pizza: Use pulled pork as a topping for homemade pizza with BBQ sauce, red onions, and cheese.

Basil & Salt Magazine’s Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce

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Ingredients

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, and molasses. Stir well to mix.
2. Add Seasonings: Add Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, and ground cumin to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
3. Simmer: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will help the flavors meld together and thicken the sauce.
4. Adjust to Taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or spiciness by adding more brown sugar or cayenne pepper if desired.
5. Cool and Store: Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove it from the heat and let it cool. Transfer the BBQ sauce to a clean jar or bottle and store it in the refrigerator.

Beer Pairing for BBQ Pulled Pork

Enhance your BBQ pulled pork experience with the perfect beer pairing. Here are some top choices to complement the rich, smoky, and slightly sweet flavors of pulled pork:

Amber Ale

Why: The caramel and malt flavors in an amber ale complement the sweetness of the BBQ sauce and the smokiness of the pork.
Examples: Fat Tire Amber Ale, Bell’s Amber Ale

Pale Ale

Why: The moderate bitterness and hoppy notes balance the richness of the pulled pork, providing a refreshing contrast.
Examples: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale

Brown Ale

Why: The nutty and slightly sweet character of a brown ale pairs well with the savory and sweet elements of pulled pork.
Examples: Newcastle Brown Ale, Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale

IPA (India Pale Ale)

Why: The bold, hoppy flavors and bitterness of an IPA can cut through the richness of the pork, providing a refreshing balance.
Examples: Lagunitas IPA, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA

Porter

Why: The roasted malt and chocolate notes in a porter add depth to the flavor profile of the pulled pork, enhancing its smoky characteristics.
Examples: Founders Porter, Deschutes Black Butte Porter

Hefeweizen

Why: The light, fruity, and slightly spicy flavors of a hefeweizen offer a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory pork. Examples: Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, Paulaner Hefe-Weißbier

Lager

Why: A crisp, clean lager can provide a light and refreshing pairing, perfect for cutting through the heaviness of pulled pork.
Examples: Pilsner Urquell, Modelo Especial

Suggested Sides

Coleslaw

• Ingredients:
  • 1/2 head green cabbage, shredded
  • 1/2 head red cabbage, shredded
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage and carrots.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine.
  4. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

Corn on the Cob

• Ingredients
  • 6 ears of corn, husked
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add the corn and cook for 5-7 minutes, until tender.
  3. Remove the corn and brush with melted butter. Season with salt and pepper.
• Elote (Grilled Mexican Street Corn) recipe

Baked Beans

• Ingredients
  • 2 cans navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients.
  3. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake for 1 hour, until thick and bubbly.

Dessert: Watermelon Salad

• Ingredients
  • 4 cups watermelon, cubed
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • Salt to taste
• Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine watermelon, cucumber, feta cheese, and mint.
  2. Drizzle with lime juice and sprinkle with salt.
  3. Toss gently to combine and serve chilled.

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