How to Make Perfect Stove-top Pulled Pork: A Flavorful Recipe Guide

Making pulled pork on the stove is a great option if you don’t have a slow cooker or oven available. This simple recipe will guide you through the process, ensuring you achieve tender, smoky-flavored meat infused with a rich, savory BBQ sauce.

Ingredients

Pork shoulder or pork butt: 3-4 pounds Onion: 1 large, chopped Garlic: 3-4 cloves, minced BBQ sauce: 1-2 cups, your choice of flavor Chicken or beef broth: 1-2 cups, enough to cover the meat about halfway Spices: 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Oil: 2 tablespoons for browning

Instructions

Prepare the Pork

Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder if necessary. Mix the spices (paprika, brown sugar, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper) in a bowl and rub the mixture all over the pork.

Brown the Meat

Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pork shoulder and brown it on all sides (about 4-5 minutes per side). This step adds flavor.

Add Aromatics

Once browned, remove the pork from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened (about 3-4 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Deglaze the Pot

If there are browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot, you can deglaze it by adding a splash of broth and scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon.

Cook the Pork

Return the pork to the pot and add enough broth to cover it halfway (about 1-2 cups). Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid.

Simmer

Allow the pork to cook on low heat for about 3-4 hours, turning it occasionally. The meat is done when it is tender and easily shredded with a fork.

Shred the Pork

Once cooked, remove the pork from the pot and let it rest for a few minutes. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.

Combine with BBQ Sauce

Return the shredded pork to the pot and mix it with your favorite BBQ sauce. Heat through gently.

Serve

Serve the pulled pork on buns with coleslaw or as desired.

Tips

Adjusting Flavor: Feel free to adjust the spices and BBQ sauce to your taste. Cooking Time: If you have a pressure cooker, you can also use that for faster cooking. Leftovers: Pulled pork can be stored in the fridge for several days or frozen for later use.

Enjoy your homemade pulled pork!