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Pulled Pork

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🐷 Melt-in-your-mouth tender pulled pork infused with cola sweetness and smoky spices – effortless BBQ perfection without fancy equipment!
🔥 Hands-off cooking yields juicy meat for sandwiches, tacos, or bowls, feeding crowds with minimal prep and maximum flavor!

  • Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

– 4 lb pork shoulder or pork butt (boneless preferred)

– 2 tablespoons oil (optional for searing)

– 1 tablespoon paprika

– 1 tablespoon chili powder

– 1 teaspoon salt

– 1 teaspoon black pepper

– 1 teaspoon garlic powder

– 1 teaspoon onion powder

– 12 ounces cola (regular, not diet; root beer or a mixture of ½ cup apple cider vinegar and 1 cup apple juice as substitutes)

– Barbecue sauce (optional)

Instructions

1-First Step: Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder, leaving a manageable layer for moisture and flavor. Then cut the pork into 4 pieces so it cooks evenly.

2-Second Step: In a bowl, combine the spices: paprika, chili powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well so the rub tastes consistent in every bite.

3-Third Step: Rub the spice mixture all over the pork. This can be done the night before for deeper flavor, then kept covered in the refrigerator.

4-Fourth Step: Optional but helpful: heat the oil in an oven-safe pot over medium-high heat and sear the pork on all sides for a few seconds. This adds color and extra flavor.

5-Final Step: Choose your cooking method below and follow the timing closely. When the pork is ready, shred it and add BBQ sauce if you want a saucier finish.

6-Oven method temperature: Preheat your oven to 300°F.

7- Place the pork in an oven-safe pot.

8- Pour the cola around the pork (not on top) so it creates flavorful steam in the pot.

9- Cover with a lid and cook for 3 hours.

10- Remove the lid and cook an additional 1 to 2 hours, until tender and shreddable.

11- Shred the pork, then mix it with the cooking juices. Add BBQ sauce if desired.

12- Place the rubbed pork into your slow cooker.

13- Pour the cola around the pork (again, not on top).

14- Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours until tender.

15- Shred the meat and stir it back into the flavorful juices. Finish with BBQ sauce if you like.

16- Place the pork in the pressure cooker.

17- Pour the cola around it.

18- Cook on high pressure for 70 minutes.

19- Allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then shred the meat.

Last Step:

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Notes

🥤 Regular cola tenderizes and sweetens perfectly; avoid diet – root beer or apple cider mix works too.
🔥 Sear pork first for richer flavor, but skip for truly hands-off cooking.
❄️ Freeze shredded pork up to 3 months; reheat low and slow with juices to retain moisture.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Marinating (optional): Overnight
  • Cook Time: 4-5 hours (oven)
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Braised
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten-free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5 oz
  • Calories: 310 kcal
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 554mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 9g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 36g
  • Cholesterol: 124mg