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Flavorful Carolina-Style Pulled Pork Recipe with Easy Tangy Vinegar Sauce

Carolina-Style Pulled Pork - featured image
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A tender, juicy pulled pork cooked low and slow with a tangy vinegar sauce that balances richness with bright, fresh flavors. Perfect for sandwiches, gatherings, or a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–5 pounds pork shoulder (Boston butt), bone-in or boneless
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • For the vinegar sauce:
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: a splash of Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Mix salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. Rub this seasoning evenly all over the pork. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and optional hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce until sugar dissolves.
  3. Optional: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the pork on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  4. Place the pork shoulder into a slow cooker. Pour half of the vinegar sauce over the pork. Add 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until tender.
  5. Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks, discarding large fat pieces but keeping juicy bits.
  6. Pour remaining vinegar sauce over shredded pork and toss gently to coat. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Serve hot on buns, over rice, or with your favorite sides.

Notes

Searing the pork before slow cooking adds flavor but can be skipped. Let the pork rest 10 minutes before shredding to let flavors settle. Avoid over-shredding to keep texture. Adjust vinegar sauce sweetness or heat to taste. For oven cooking, roast at 300°F (150°C) covered for 4-5 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, Carolina-style, vinegar sauce, slow cooker, barbecue, easy pulled pork, Southern recipe, tangy sauce

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/flavorful-carolina-style-pulled-pork-recipe-with-easy-tangy-vinegar-sauce/