Stove Top Pulled Pork - Slimming World recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to cook pork shoulder on the stove? ›

Cooking time will be between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the amount of pork and whether it's bone-in (which takes longer to cook). This is entirely hands-off time. The pork is done when it's so tender that it literally flakes apart when you poke it with a fork and falls off the bone.

Pulled pork is made with pork shoulder, also called pork butt for whatever reason, and has lots of collagen which when cooked low and slow melts into gelatin which makes for tons of flavor and moist meat. Best to cook at about 200–225°F and get the internal temperature up to 190°F.

It's a good idea to cut away this excess fat prior to cooking, but do leave a small amount as it adds to the flavour.

Pork shoulder is ideal for pulling purposes. It has an optimum fat content that yields to create tender, melty meat, but it's essential you cook it slowly to allow the protein to break down properly.

To check doneness properly, use a digital cooking thermometer. Fresh cut muscle meats such as pork chops, pork roasts, pork loin, and tenderloin should measure 145° F, ensuring the maximum amount of flavor. Ground pork should always be cooked to 160° F.

Pork shoulder benefits from long, slow cooking that tenderizes the meat and melts the fat. The best cooking methods for pork shoulder are braising or stewing, but it may also be fried, baked, or made into ground pork.

Additionally, spray chicken broth or apple juice on the meat to prevent it from losing more moisture in the crockpot. To add a strong flavor during the process, white wine can also be sprayed. You can shred the pork during smoking or in the crockpot.

Why add apple cider vinegar to pulled pork? Pulled pork relies on both the vinegar's acidity and the low-and-slow cooking process to tenderize the meat, breaking down the protein to give the dish its signature moist, fall-apart texture. Cider vinegar also provides a tangy counterpoint to the fatty pork.

After you've pulled your pork butt, drizzle over the meat and combine. The vinegar adds contrast to the smoky flavor and cuts through the fat in the meat. It also helps mellow out the darker, gamier-tasting parts of the butt. This makes enough for a 8 pound pork butt/shoulder.

After the meat has rested, transfer it to a large bowl and reserve any juices. If you plan to pull or shred the pork, it's much easier to do while the meat is hot or warm. Also, warm meat and cooking liquids are easier to combine. Shred the meat in a large bowl and remove any excess fat.

Should I flip my pulled pork? ›

It should come about 1/2 way up the sides of the meat. Cover with a lid and cook on low for 10 hours, flipping the pork butt over halfway through. Note: it's important to not overcook the pork butt, or it'll make the pork tough and stringy.

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

We use brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, a good amount of salt & pepper, and a pinch of cayenne! Make sure you use all of the seasoning! Also, really rub it into the pulled pork, get all of the nooks and crannies!

During the reheating process, the butter will melt and juice up the meat. With the butter on top of the meat for more juice, add more seasoning over the top of the meat as well. I don't measure this but rather do it to taste. Add a good sprinkle then taste it.

Cover, place in oven and cook for 2 1/2- 3 hours, or until internal temperature of meat is 170 degrees F. Remove from oven and pan-- let roast cool for a few minutes. Slice meat or shred as for pulled pork (I usually do half sliced and half pulled).

With your smoker running steady at 225 degrees F, you can typically plan about 2 hours of cook time per pound of pork. For example, an 8-pound pork shoulder will take about 16 hours from start to finish. Quick note! Every cut of meat is a little bit different, so plan ahead for variations in cook time!

There's a lot of fat in pork shoulder, so cooking at a low temperature this way ensures the meat doesn't dry out – if needed, it can cook for up to 3 hrs.

If you don't have a slow cooker, you can slow cook right on stovetop using a cooking pot that has a heavy build (like a Dutch oven) so it can disperse heat evenly to the food cooking inside. You should cover it well with a lid, keep the heat low and keep checking food in between so it does not run out of liquid.