Dutch Oven BBQ Pulled Pork
Slow-cooked to perfection with a smoky spice rub and covered in your favorite BBQ sauce, this juicy and tender Dutch Oven BBQ Pulled Pork is the ultimate comfort food. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or need a high protein option for meal prep, this tender pulled pork with BBQ sauce is a win!
Using pork for easy dinner recipes is a great budget friendly way to eat healthy! Here are some more of my favorite pork recipes! Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast, Thick Cut BBQ Pork Chops, Reverse Sear Pork Tenderloin, Sous Vide Pulled Pork, and Air Fryer Pork Meatballs!
I love using my Dutch oven for meal prep, especially for making tender and juicy pulled pork. It’s perfect because it’s heavy-duty, maintains a consistent temperature, and the tight-fitting lid keeps all the moisture locked in. This means I can cook the pork shoulder low and slow, turning it incredibly tender and flavorful, which can be used in so many ways for our weekly family meals!
The instructions are easy! I start with a simple spice rub to season the meat, then let it cook slowly for hours in the oven with the lid on until it’s so tender it falls apart. Once done, I shred it and mix it with some BBQ sauce, and it’s ready to be used in various on sandwiches to tacos or even as a topping for rice bowls!
🥩Best Dutch Ovens For Cooking Meat
- Lodge Dutch Oven With Lid (6 Quart)
- Mueller DuraCast Dutch Oven With Lid (6 Quart)
- Le Creuset Enamel Dutch Oven (7.25 Quart)
🧂Ingredients & Substitutions
- Boneless Pork Shoulder – The boneless pork shoulder is the star of the recipe, providing the rich, meaty flavor and texture. Besides pork shoulder, you can make pulled pork with cuts like picnic ham (pork shoulder picnic roast), pork loin, pork belly, and the meat from pork ribs, each offering varying levels of fat and flavor when slow-cooked until tender.
- Avocado Oil – Used to help sear the meat in the Dutch oven before cooking. Use a neutral flavored oil with a high smoke point.
- BBQ Dry Rub – Made with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile, infusing the pork with smoky and savory notes.
- BBQ Sauce – This can be store-bought or homemade, gives the pulled pork its signature tangy sweetness, and provides a saucy base for serving.
- Water – Added to help create steam and moisture during cooking, ensuring the pork stays juicy and tender throughout the long cooking process.
📖How To Make BBQ Pulled Pork In A Dutch Oven
1️⃣Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 325°F. Get your Dutch oven out and set aside.
2️⃣Season pork shoulder: In a small bowl, mix together smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, making sure to coat it evenly.
3️⃣Sear seasoned pork: Add avocado oil to Dutch oven heat over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the pork shoulder on all sides until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the pork shoulder from the Dutch oven and set aside.
4️⃣Add cooking liquid: In the same Dutch oven, add 1 cup of premade BBQ sauce and 1/2 cup of water. Stir to combine. Return the pork shoulder to the Dutch oven, spooning the BBQ sauce mixture over the top. Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and place it in the preheated oven.
5️⃣Bake pork shoulder: Bake the pork shoulder for 2 1/2 – 3 hours, or until it is very tender and easily falls apart with a fork.
6️⃣Remove and shred: Remove the Dutch oven from the oven and let the pork shoulder cool for a few minutes. Using two forks, shred the pork shoulder into small pieces. Serve the pulled pork on a bun or over rice, spooning extra BBQ sauce over the top if desired.
🌮Pulled Pork For Meal Prep
BBQ pulled pork is one of the best meats to cook for meal prep. Usually it’s cooked in a large batch that has plenty of leftovers. It also freezes well, is high in protein, and can be used in a variety of different ways!
- Pulled Pork Tacos: Fill soft corn tortillas with pulled pork, top with fresh cilantro, diced onions, crunchy coleslaw, and a squeeze of lime.
- BBQ Pork Pizza: Spread BBQ sauce on pizza dough, top with pulled pork, red onions, and mozzarella cheese, and bake.
- Pulled Pork Sliders: Stuff mini slider rolls with pulled pork and dill pickle coleslaw for easy-to-eat sliders that are perfect for lunch or snacks.
- Pulled Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Bake sweet potatoes until tender, then stuff with pulled pork and top with green onions and a dollop of sour cream.
- Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese: Mix pulled pork into creamy mac and cheese for a indulgent meal combines two comfort foods into one.
- Pulled Pork Fried Rice: Stir fry cooked rice with pulled pork, vegetables, and soy sauce for a quick meal.
- Pulled Pork Omelette: Add pulled pork to eggs, cheese, and veggies to make a protein-packed omelette for breakfast or brunch.
- Pulled Pork Nachos: Layer tortilla chips with pulled pork, beans, cheese, and jalapeños, then bake until melted and serve with guacamole and salsa.
❄Storing & Freezing
Storing: To store leftover pulled pork, allow it to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: To freeze pulled pork, let it cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, let it defrost overnight in the refrigerator or in cold water, then reheat on the stove or in the microwave until heated through. You can also reheat it straight from frozen.
Dutch Oven BBQ Pulled Pork
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork shoulder boneless
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup premade BBQ sauce
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F. Get your Dutch oven out and set it aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Add avocado oil to Dutch oven heat over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the pork shoulder on all sides until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the pork shoulder from the Dutch oven and set aside.
- In the same Dutch oven, add 1 cup of premade BBQ sauce and 1/2 cup of water. Stir to combine. Return the pork shoulder to the Dutch oven, spooning the BBQ sauce mixture over the top. Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and place it in the preheated oven.
- Bake the pork shoulder for 2 1/2 – 3 hours or until it is very tender and easily falls apart with a fork.
- Remove the Dutch oven from the oven and let the pork shoulder cool for a few minutes. Using two forks, shred the pork shoulder into small pieces. Serve the pulled pork on a bun or over rice, spooning extra BBQ sauce over the top if desired. Enjoy!
