Pulled Pork (I Like Pig Butts)
Melissa Cookston's succulent and flavorful pulled pork recipe, perfect for any occasion.
Melissa Cookston's succulent and flavorful pulled pork recipe, perfect for any occasion.
- Carbohydrate 6.39600001838333 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 4.81200001383061 g
- Fiber 3.95999995416134 g
- Protein 5.24400001507226 g
- Saturated Fat 0.297600000855359 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (125g)
- Sodium 1362.00000391465 mg
- Sugar 2.43600006422199 g
- Trans Fat 0.217200000624275 g
- Calories 80 calories
Step-by-step
- Smokin' in the Boys Room, p. 36
Standard measurements on a page omit the invisible chemical transformation that occurs when smoke meets collagen inside an eight-pound pork shoulder. Hardwood smoke deposits phenolic compounds onto the surface of the meat while capsaicin and spices adhere via a thin binder of mustard, creating a complex outer matrix known as the bark. Maintaining a consistent smoker temperature between 225 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit ensures that connective tissues steadily convert into gelatin rather than seizing up under excessive heat.
Fat rendering operates as the primary driver of moisture throughout the multi-hour cook, slowly dissolving intramusular deposits to keep the muscle fibers lubricated as they dehydrate. Applying turbinado sugar late in the process encourages Maillard reactions without burning the exterior layer prematurely, yielding a balanced profile where sweet crystalline notes counteract the sharp bite of vinegar. Piercing the thickest portion with an instant-read thermometer helps verify doneness once the internal metric reaches 203 degrees Fahrenheit and the probe slides through the grain with zero resistance.
Resting the cooked pork wrapped in foil for at least forty-five minutes allows internal juices to redistribute evenly throughout the muscle bundles before shredding begins. Vinegar-based finishing sauces cut through heavy residual fats by lowering the pH of the shredded meat, waking up dormant flavor receptors on the palate. Wrapping leftovers tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil preserves moisture during refrigeration for up to four days.
