Ingredients

The following ingredients have 8 Servings
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 5-6 lbs. bone-in pork shoulder (or 4-5lbs. boneless pork shoulder)
  • ½ medium white onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (smashed and diced)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup bbq sauce (+ more for serving)
  • 1/4 cup bourbon*
  • 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce

Instruction

  • Add the chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, mustard powder, thyme, brown sugar, salt, and pepper to a bowl and mix until well combined. 
  • Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the pork and massage the spices into the pork. Be sure the spices are covering the pork. 
  • Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat and add olive oil. 
  • When the olive oil is fragrant add the pork to the skillet. Brown for 2-4 minutes on each side (8-10 minutes in total). 
  • Meanwhile, add the onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, barbecue sauce, bourbon, and Worcestershire to a bowl and mix until combined. Set aside. 
  • When the pork is browned, place the pork into the slow cooker and pour the barbecue sauce over the pork. 
  • Set the slow cooker to low heat and cook for 6-8 hours or until the pork shreds easily with a fork. 
  • When the pork is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and place it into a casserole dish or a plate with edges and shred the pork. Remove the bone (if using a bone-in pork shoulder) and any excess fat and discard. 
  • The amount of sauce left in the slow cooker varies by what type of pork shoulder is used. About 1-1.5 cups of the barbecue sauce mixture is ideal to mix with the shredded pork. You can also add more bbq sauce if you wish.
  • Add the pork and the sauce that is being used back into the slow cooker and mix. 
  • Serve over Hawaiian buns or on a tortilla