Bob's Pulled Pork on a Smoker

This smoked pulled pork recipe is worthy of your favorite barbecue restaurant, but it’s easy enough to make at home.  

Smoked Pulled Pork Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need for this top-rated smoked pulled pork recipe: 

• Pork shoulder: Pork shoulder is perfect for pulled pork because it’s inexpensive, forgiving to work with, and tends to have a lot of marbling (which means it’ll result in tender meat). An 8-pound pork shoulder roast should make about 20 servings.
• Apple cider: A simple apple cider brine ensures irresistible flavor and tender, juicy pulled pork. 
• Sugar: Use a blend of white and brown sugars for the rub. 
• Seasonings: The sweet and savory rub is flavored with kosher salt, paprika, onion powder, ground black pepper, and garlic powder.
• Hickory chips: You’ll need three cups of soaked hickory chips for your smoker. 
• Onion: An onion gives the pork even more bold flavor as it smokes. 

How to Make Pulled Pork In a Smoker

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below – but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make pulled pork in a smoker: 

1. Brine the pork shoulder. 
2. Pour the brine into the water pan of the preheated smoker with wood chips. 
3. Add the onion and ¼ cup of the rub. 
4. Season the pork with the remaining rub. 
5. Smoke the pork until tender. 
6. Let cool before shredding. 

What to Serve With Smoked Pulled Pork

Explore our collection of Best Barbecue Side Dishes for delicious serving inspiration. Here are a few of the recipes you’ll find: 

• Baked Beans from Scratch
• Simple Macaroni and Cheese
• Traditional Creamy Coleslaw
  

How to Store Smoked Pulled Pork

Store the (completely cooled) smoked pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or freeze it for up to six months. 

Wondering what to do with leftovers? Check out our collection of Leftover Pulled Pork Recipes.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“This was the first time that I ever made pulled pork,” says Scott Zenith Lemmon. “It was competition quality. I will definitely be using this recipe every time I smoke a pork shoulder.”

“Super easy and good,” raves kristiepulliam. “Very tender and great flavor. Couldn’t find apple cider so used apple juice instead and it turned out great!!”

“This has become my standard rub for pork and chicken,” according to Emily Patterson Indo. “It’s delicious and always comes out flavorful whether I’m using it in a smoker, oven, or on the stove.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams