Carolina-Style Pork Barbecue

Name: Carolina-Style Pork Barbecue
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 30 min
Yield: 14 servings.
Ingredients: 1 boneless pork shoulder butt roast (4 to 5 pounds); 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 2 medium onions, quartered; 3/4 cup cider vinegar; 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 teaspoon garlic salt; 1 teaspoon ground mustard; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 14 hamburger buns, split; 1-3/4 pounds deli coleslaw

I am originally from North Carolina (where swine is divine) and this recipe for the slow cooker is a family favorite. My husband swears my authentic Carolina ‘cue is the best BBQ he has ever eaten! —Kathryn Ransom Williams, Sparks, Nevada

Ingredients

1 boneless pork shoulder butt roast (4 to 5 pounds)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 medium onions, quartered
3/4 cup cider vinegar
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
14 hamburger buns, split
1-3/4 pounds deli coleslaw

Directions

Cut roast into quarters. Mix brown sugar, salt, paprika and pepper; rub over meat. Place meat and onions in a 5-qt. slow cooker.
In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and seasonings; pour over roast. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.
Remove roast; cool slightly. Reserve 1-1/2 cups cooking juices; discard remaining juices. Skim fat from reserved juices. Shred pork with two forks. Return pork and reserved juices to slow cooker; heat through. Serve on buns with coleslaw.

Test Kitchen Tip

Some like it hot but if you're not one of them consider reducing the crushed red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper in this sauce by half.

Nutrition Facts

1 sandwich: 453 calories, 22g fat (6g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 889mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein.

Originally published as Old Style Carolina Barbeque in Simple & Delicious June/July 2013

Reviews

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Average Rating:

geewizkid1

Dec 9, 2018

I made this for a tailgate party and several people told me it was the best BBQ/pulled pork they ever had. I don’t use the full amount of red pepper flakes and cayenne because not everyone likes the heat. This recipe is excellent and it’s my go to for pulled pork!
bobry

Feb 2, 2018

I have to disagree amiably (!)~~ with a comment that this recipe is NOT a traditional NC/SC style BBQ: I was born, reared and fed in NC for over half a century now and most of the relatives and friends I grew up with had neither the time nor inclination to always smoke a ham...but this recipe right here is commonly adapted.... and much easier, but the taste is still superb! THIS IS TRUE ' CUE!! This one just so happens to be absolutely delicious...is easy and can quickly be done to fit the bill for an easy night's supper...or whatever the occasion. One just has to taste it to know how scrumptious!
Chumley5

Jul 31, 2017

This recipe was just ok. I agree with another review that true NC pork barbecue should be smoked. The true flavor comes with smoking the shoulder with a bone-in cut. I much prefer the Eastern NC "que" with a simple sauce of white vinegar, a bit of sugar, salt and pepper although with a pinch of red pepper sauce served with Eastern NC style slaw served on the side. Still, the recipe posted is a good one for winter.
Mrs Steven

May 30, 2017

Delicious and easy!
Paula

May 29, 2017

Wish we could like it but can't. From Illinois and perhaps that's the problem. Other than the "hotness" the taste is pretty blah.
hipquest

May 24, 2017

While this is a delicious recipe, it in no way or form represents BBQ from NC or SC. This would more accurately be described as pulled pork with a really great sauce. Authentic BBQ MUST be smoked. With that said, I got a fantastic deal on pork loin and needed a recipe that would work with a lean cut of meat and this fit the bill. Overall a very good recipe. Thanks Kathryn!
Sagehopper

Dec 4, 2016

I like spicy..and sweet together. This prep does it all !! And anything left over, if ANY, will be good the next day. This is a great recipe !
pmchampion

Oct 6, 2016

Simple, fast, delicious!
gunslinger

Aug 14, 2016

My store had boston butts on sale so I was looking for a new recipe to try. This Carolina style barbecue was what I tried and it was delicious! I cut back on the hot pepper flakes and cayenne since some had said it was too spicy but when I shredded it I went back and added more then heated it for another hour. Served it with 9 day slaw another TOH recipe that was great!
AllisonO

Jul 15, 2016

Perfectly juicy and tender! I would highly recommend this recipe. The only change I made was to take the recommendation of a previous reviewer and cut back on the red pepper flakes and cayenne (my children and grandma can't tolerate too much heat, though if my husband and I were the only ones eating it, I would go with the full amount called for in the recipe). Two thumbs WAY up!