This post is sponsored by OhioPork.org. All opinions are my own.

When I visited the Shoup Brothers Hog Farm in mid December, my husband and I were treated to a delicious lunch courtesy of the Shoups. The main course was this amazing Carolina Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork! This is the Shoup family's favorite Ohio pork recipe and I'm sharing it with you today.  It's an Old Carolina Barbecue Company copycat recipe and I'd say it's one you need to make!  

The big list of ingredients makes the recipe look a little intimidating...but trust me, it's easy. You do need a to do a little planning though.  I was given the spice mix already prepared by Susan Shoup (Thank you, Susan!) when I visited the farm, so prep time was cut down for me.  You can make up a batch ahead of time too! It makes a full cup and you'll only need a quarter of a cup for the pulled pork, so you'll have extra for next time.  The rub is also great on ribs and chops too! 

I actually did not use a pork (shoulder) butt roast when I made this recipe(as the recipe calls for), but subbed a pork sirloin roast instead.  Pork sirloin is a little leaner than pork shoulder and it was on sale...so it was a win-win for me.  Although, I have since made this recipe with a pork shoulder and it's also outstanding!

You can make the barbecue sauce as listed in the recipe OR use your favorite bottled BBQ sauce instead. But, don't skip using the liquid smoke! Old Carolina Barbecue Company actually smokes their pork, but since you are using a slow cooker, you do want some of that smokey flavor. 

This is a great recipe for a crowd or you can scale it down by using a smaller roast. It's a great idea for the big game!  I think it would make a great New Year's Eve or New Year's Day dish!  It's tradition in many families to eat pork for good luck. We eat pork in my family to help ensure our new year is full of good luck and this recipe is the perfect choice! 

Lunch at the Shoups

Carolina Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

By Old Carolina Barbecue Company

Carolina style slow cooker pulled pork is so easy and tasty, it may just become your new go-to pulled pork recipe!

Ingredients

• 1 pork shoulder (or Boston butt), 5 or 6 pounds, preferably bone-in
• 1/4 cup dry pork rub (recipe follows)
• 2 TBSP liquid smoke
• 1 recipe Barbecue Sauce (below or use your own)
• To make rub (recipe makes approx. 1 cup of rub):
• 4 TBSP paprika (Spanish)
• 2 TBSP cumin
• 2 TBSP ground black pepper
• 2 TBSP kosher salt
• 2 TBSP granulated sugar
• 2 TBSP brown sugar
• 1 TBSP granulated garlic
• 1 TBSP dark chili powder
• 1 tsp. Cayenne pepper
• For the barbecue sauce:
• 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups tomato ketchup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 TBSP honey
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. celery seed
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients for rub. Measure out 1/4 cup, set aside. Put remaining rub in airtight container and save for next time.
2. Rub pork with 1/4 cup. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to overnight.
3. Place seasoned pork roast in slow cooker. Add in liquid smoke. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 - 10 hours or HIGH 5 - 6 hours or until pork is falling apart.
4. While pork is cooking, whisk together ingredients for the barbecue sauce, if using.
5. When pork is done, remove from slow cooker and discard the liquid. Pull pork with 2 forks. Remove the bone and any excess fat.
6. Return pulled pork to the slow cooker and, either add the barbecue sauce to the pork (what I did) or serve the barbecue sauce on the side. Can be served on buns topped with coleslaw.

Yield: 8 -10 servings
Prep Time: 01 hrs. 00 mins.

Cook time: 08 hrs. 00 mins.
Total time: 9 hrs. 0 mins.

Printable Recipe

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