Sweet & Smoky Barbacoa Pulled Pork
By Traeger Kitchen
This pulled pork recipe features some south-of-the-border spices and a secret bubbly ingredient for a sweet kick.
Prep Time
5 Min
Cook Time
8 Hr
Pellets
Apple
Yields: 6 Servings
Ingredients
Brine
- 2 Cup
- apple juice
- 1 L
- Dr. Pepper
- 1 Cup
- brown sugar
- 1 Cup
- kosher salt
- 1 Teaspoon
- ground cumin
- 1 Teaspoon
- garlic powder
- 1/4 Cup
- chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Pork Shoulder
- 1
- (8-10 lb) bone-in pork shoulder
- apple juice, for spritzing
Barbacoa Sauce
- 12 Ounce
- Dr. Pepper
- 1 Can
- (4 oz) diced green chiles
- 1
- 10-oz can of mild red enchilada sauce
- 1/2 Cup
- brown sugar
- 1/2 Cup
- chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 Teaspoon
- ground cumin
- 1 Teaspoon
- garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon
- kosher salt
- 2 Tablespoon
- apple cider vinegar
For Serving (Optional)
- As Needed
- Black beans
- As Needed
- Diced or sliced avocado
- As Needed
- fresh cilantro
- As Needed
- Cilantro lime rice
Units of Measurement:
Steps
Step 1
Make the brine: In a large bowl combine the apple juice, Dr. Pepper, brown sugar, salt, cumin, garlic powder and chipotle in adobo. Stir until the brown sugar and salt have dissolved.
Ingredients
2 Cup apple juice
1 L Dr. Pepper
1 Cup brown sugar
1 Cup kosher salt
1 Teaspoon ground cumin
1 Teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 Cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Step 2
Place the pork shoulder in the brine, ensuring it is fully submerged. Brine in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Ingredients
1 (8-10 lb) bone-in pork shoulder
Step 3
Preheat the grill to 200°F. If available, use Super Smoke.
200 ˚F / 93 ˚C
Super Smoke
Step 4
Remove the pork shoulder from the brine and discard the brine.
Step 5
Insert the probe into the center of the pork shoulder, avoiding the bone. Place the pork directly on the grill grates, fat-side up. Close the lid and smoke for 3 hours, spraying with apple juice every hour.
03:00
200 ˚F / 93 ˚C
Super Smoke
Ingredients
apple juice, for spritzing
Step 6
Meanwhile, make the barbacoa sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together the Dr. Pepper, green chiles, enchilada sauce, brown sugar, chipotles in adobo, cumin, garlic powder, salt and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until reduced by half.
Ingredients
12 Ounce Dr. Pepper
1 Can (4 oz) diced green chiles
1 10-oz can of mild red enchilada sauce
1/2 Cup brown sugar
1/2 Cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 Teaspoon ground cumin
1 Teaspoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon kosher salt
2 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Step 7
After smoking the pork shoulder for 3 hours, increase the grill temperature to 250°F. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 200°F, about 7 hours more. The bone should easily pull out of the pork shoulder.
07:00
250 ˚F / 121 ˚C
200 ˚F / 93 ˚C
Super Smoke
Step 8
Carefully remove the pork shoulder from the grill, then wrap in foil and a towel. Keep in cooler or a warm oven for 30-60 minutes.
Step 9
Unwrap the pork and pull it into chunks, discarding the bone and any lumps of fat, including the cap. Shred the pork and transfer it to a large bowl.
Step 10
Add the barbacoa sauce to the pulled pork and mix until thoroughly combined.
Step 11
Serve the barbacoa with your favorite sides, such as black beans, cilantro-lime rice, avocado and cilantro.
Ingredients
As Needed Black beans
As Needed Diced or sliced avocado
As Needed fresh cilantro
As Needed Cilantro lime rice
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