While this pulled pork doesn’t have the smoky flavor of a true slow smoked pork shoulder, it is full of flavor and so tender that it might just shred itself if you look at it sternly. The vinegar-based BBQ sauce added at the end delivers just the right amount of zip.
SERVES: 6
TEMPERATURE: 175ºF
COOKING TIME: 12 to 24 hours
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of fat
1 tablespoon olive oil
Eastern Carolina BBQ Sauce:
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
Directions:
1.Pre-heat the sous vide water bath to 175ºF.
2.Combine the sugar, paprika, mustard powder, chili powder, kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper. Rub this mixture all over the pork shoulder. Pre-heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sear the pork shoulder on all sides. Brown the pork well, but don’t let the spice rub burn.
3.Transfer the pork to a zipper lock bag. Remove as much of the air as possible from the bag using a vacuum pump or by submerging the bag in the water up to the zipper seal (don’t let any water into the bag), and allowing the water to displace the air in the bag. Seal the bag and drop it into the water bath.
4.Cook in the sous vide bath for at least 12 hours, or as long as 24 hours. Cover the water bath with aluminum foil or plastic wrap so that you minimize the water evaporation.
5.While the pork is cooking, make the BBQ sauce by combining all the ingredients in a bowl and whisking until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Let this sauce sit so the flavors can combine nicely.
6.When you are ready to eat, remove the pork from the bag and let it cool for a few minutes. Shred the pork using two forks and set the pulled meat aside in a bowl.
7.Toss the pulled pork with as much of the BBQ sauce as needed to suit your tastes and serve.