Best Apes Pulled Pork Recipes

THE BEST PULLED PORK

Steps:

• Whisk together the chile powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar in a small bowl until completely combined and no lumps remain. Spread the spice rub evenly over the pork butt, pressing it into the flesh on all sides. Let the pork sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 275 degrees F.
• Whisk together the barbecue sauce, apple cider, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar in large Dutch oven or other heavy large pot until combined. Transfer the pork and any accumulated juices to the pot, turning the pork to coat it with sauce. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat. Then cover, transfer to the oven and bake until the pork is very tender and easily shreds when pulled apart with a fork, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Let the pork cool uncovered for 30 minutes.
• Reserve 1 cup of the sauce for serving, then smash the pork into the remaining sauce with a potato masher; it should fall apart and shred completely. Stir to combine the pork with the sauce. Serve on toasted potato rolls topped with coleslaw. Pass the reserved sauce.

PULLED PORK AREPAS

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, lime juice, jalapeno brine, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Add the cabbages, cilantro and scallions and toss. Let sit for 15 minutes.
• Stir together 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Gradually add the cornmeal to the water, using your fingers to stir and combine, until a soft and moist dough forms.
• Divide the dough into 8 balls and pat each into a patty about 5 inches wide and 1/4-inch-thick.
• Put a cube of mozzarella in the center of each patty. Fold the dough over the cheese, making sure the cheese is completely covered and sealed. Pat it back down until 3 1/2 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat until shimmering. Working in batches, cook the corn patties until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side; make sure the oil is hot for each batch. Transfer to a cooling rack set on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the edges are crisp and golden, about 10 minutes.
• When the arepas are cool enough to handle, use a thin serrated knife to slice a third of the way through each. Then use the knife tip to cut open the center of each to form a pocket, taking care to keep the sides intact. Wipe down the knife between cuts to remove any sticky cornmeal. Stuff each arepa with some pulled pork, jalapenos and coleslaw.

HOW TO MAKE PULLED PORK

Steps:

• Slow Cooker Method: Place pork in slow cooker and pour coke around it. Cover and cook on LOW (recommended) 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
• Instant Pot Method: Place pork in instant pot and pour coke around it. Cook on Manual/High pressure for 70 minutes. When timer beeps, allow the pot to naturally release pressure, about 15 minutes longer. Remove lid and shred the meat.

PULLED PORK

Steps:

• Mix together 2 tsp each smoked paprika, ground cumin, pepper, and brown sugar, plus 1 tsp salt. Rub over the 2.5kg boneless shoulder of pork.
• Put the pork in a big casserole dish, skin-side up, and pour in 2 medium mugfuls of cider.
• Cover with a lid and cook in the oven at 150C/130C fan/gas 2 for anywhere between 4 and 8 hrs until falling apart. Check every few hours in case it gets dry - if it does, add another mugful of cider.
• Take it out of the oven and put the meat in a big dish, leaving the liquid in the casserole.
• Cut the skin off, then shred the meat using two forks. Ditch any fatty bits, and skim any excess fat off the surface of the sauce.
• Add a mugful of a good smoky BBQ sauce to the casserole, mix it in, then ladle some into a bowl for dipping.
• Put the pulled pork back in the casserole with the juices so it stays moist. Season to taste. Can be made one day ahead.
• Serve in soft white rolls with coleslaw and the bowl of juices on the side for 'French dipping' the sandwich while you're eating.