1-First Step: Trim and cut the pork Start with 4 pounds of pork shoulder or butt. Trim off any excess fat, then cut the meat into 4 pieces. This helps the spice rub coat the pork evenly and lets the meat cook more evenly in the pot or cooker.

2-Second Step: Mix the spice rub In a small bowl, combine the paprika, another spice, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, black pepper, and salt. Stir well so the seasonings are mixed throughout. The rub should smell warm, smoky, and a little sweet.

3-Third Step: Season the pork Pat the pork pieces dry, then rub the spice mixture all over the meat. Press the seasoning into every side so it sticks well. If you want a deeper flavor, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot or skillet and sear the pork pieces until lightly browned on the outside.

4-Fourth Step: Choose your cooking method Oven method: Preheat your oven to 300°F. Place the pork in a pot, then pour 12 ounces of cola around the meat. Cover the pot and cook for 3 hours. After that, uncover and cook for 1 to 2 more hours, or until the pork is very tender and pulls apart easily with a fork. Slow cooker method: Place the pork and cola in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours. The pork should be soft enough to shred without much effort. Pressure cooker method: Place the pork and cola in the pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure for 70 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes.

5-Final Step: Shred and serve Move the cooked pork to a cutting board or large bowl. Shred it with two forks, then mix some of the cooking juices back into the meat if you want it extra moist. Add barbecue sauce if desired, or leave it plain if you plan to serve it in different ways. Serve it in sandwiches, tacos, nachos, salads, or with sides like baked beans and chips.