When the pork shoulder is cool enough to handle, use two forks or your fingers to shred the meat apart into small pieces. Remove any bones and large pieces of fat. For a more moist and flavored pulled pork, mix some of the cooking liquid back into the meat.
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How do you cut meat for pulled pork?
Trim the pork. Trim off any large pieces of fat from the outside of the pork shoulder, but leave small pieces and the interior fat. If using boneless pork, cut the pork into several large fist-sized pieces. If using bone-in, leave the pork as is, on the bone.
Do you remove fat from pork shoulder for pulled pork?
Pork shoulder has a good amount of fat layer on the surface. Make sure to cut away most of the excess fat, leaving just a small amount for flavor. This will make it easier to remove the fat later when making the barbecue sauce.
What is the secret to pulled pork?
To prevent it from becoming too dry (a mishap that often befalls even pulled pork experts!), choose one large cut of meat. The secret, in this case, is to reduce the amount of meat surface exposed to the heat, which is the part most prone to dryness, while preserving the moisture within.
Do you cut the skin off pork shoulder before slow cooking?
Preparing Your Pork Shoulder for the Slow Cooker. When you buy a pork shoulder, the skin and fat layer will be intact. While crackling is one of my most favourite things, the skin doesnt crackle in the slow cooker, so the first thing to is to remove the skin.
How big of a pork shoulder do I need?
For pulled pork, the standard rule of thumb is one-third to one-half pound of meat per person. When cooked and shredded, a bone-in pork shoulder will lose around 40 percent of its weight. For example, a raw 10-pound pork shoulder (or two 5-pounders) will yield about 6 pounds of finished meat, serving 12 to 18 people.
Do you roast pork shoulder fat side up or down?
The answer is simple: Always position the meat with the fat side facing up. Heres why. When the fat is facing up, it will act as a natural basting liquid for the pork as it renders out. While the fat doesnt penetrate too deeply beneath the surface of the meat, it still helps it retain a high degree of moisture.
Should I trim the fat cap on pork shoulder?
The fat cap can contribute flavor and texture to the pork, but its important not to overdo it. We prefer to trim the fat cap to about 1/4 inch, then use the trimmings as a seasoning for other dishes. You can use whats left of the fat cap to add moisture to the pulled pork after cooking.
Why is my pulled pork tough?
If you dont cook the connective tissue properly, it will be tough and rubbery. The connective tissue has to break down and literally melt away in the meat. This takes time.
How do you know when a pork shoulder is done without a thermometer?
Another hit-or-miss way to check pork doneness without a meat thermometer is by cutting into it and using visual clues. Any juice coming from the pork should look clear. If its not clear, the pork needs more cooking time. The internal color can be tricky to assess.
What is the best part of the pig to make pulled pork?
What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork? Pork shoulder is ideal for pulling purposes. It has an optimum fat content that yields to create tender, melty meat, but its essential you cook it slowly to allow the protein to break down properly.
How long does it take to smoke a pork shoulder at 250?
How Long to Smoke a Pork Shoulder at 250 Degrees Fahrenheit. At 250 degrees, boneless pork shoulder should cook at a rate of about 90 to 95 minutes per pound. To put it in practical terms, this means that a 10-pound cut of pork shoulder will be done in around 15 to 16 hours.
Do you trim a picnic shoulder?
Prepare Picnic Shoulder Trimming You can trim all of the skin off, or do like me and leave part of it on. So that seasoning flavors can reach the meat under the skin, its a good idea to score the skin down to the flesh. If theres a lot of excess fat on the surface, you can trim some of it off.
Should you brown pork before slow cooking?
Before you pop your pork in the slow cooker, consider searing it first. Searing a roast before cooking has several benefits. The sugars and fats in the meat caramelize, yielding a richer taste and heartier texture when the roast is finished cooking.
How much does 20lbs of pulled pork feed?
60 people / 3 servings per pound = 20 pounds of prepared pulled pork. 20 pounds of prepared pulled pork / 0.5 = 40 pounds of raw pork you need.
Is there a difference between Boston butt and pork shoulder?
Both come from the shoulder of the pig, but pork butt is higher on the foreleg, while pork shoulder is farther down. As relatively tough and fatty cuts, both benefit from long, slow cooking methods such as roasting, stewing, and braising. But the cuts are different enough that we generally prefer pork butt.
What is a serving size of pulled pork?
Plan on about 1/3 pound of pulled pork per person. You might be able to get away with serving a bit less if the gathering is held during the day, if there are a lot of children on the guest list, or if there will be a wide variety of side dishes available.