Eastern NC Pork and BBQ Sauce
I’m not a native East North Carolinian …. but I do appreciate their pulled pork and BBQ. Mmmmm mhhmmm! Some good stuff right there! I grew up with the traditional thick, tomato-y, slightly spicy stuff you’re probably accustomed to also. Out here, they do things different … and believe me, it’s a good thing! They use a spicy vinegar sauce and it’s nothing like that stuff you buy in a bottle. It does something to the pork you can’t even describe … I love it. I love the spice. I love the tang. Trust me, if you’ve never had it, you need to experience it! You can eat it straight up – just the meat, sauce and a fork (or your hands if you’re so inclined – hehe) … or put your BBQ on a bun, top it with some coleslaw (because that’s how they do it out here) and enjoy! Make sure you keep that sauce handy … it’s addicting!
Now, let me clarify something. Around these parts, they use the whole hog and smoke that bad-boy over hickory, oak or maple to perfection. I have had to modify that part slightly – a whole hog is a lot of pork … and personally, I find the crockpot so much easier for us. It’s probably BBQ blasphemy … but it’s still good 🙂 Oh, and for the authentic NC taste, be sure to use “Texas Pete” brand hot sauce …. in case you didn’t know, it’s made here in NC. (For some reason that reminds me of the old Pace commercials – hehe – where the cowboys say, “Made in New York City?!?” …. “Get a rope”) … Here’s the video in case you have no idea what I’m talking about 🙂
Just a note, the sauce is best made a day or two ahead, so the flavors have time to blend.
Eastern NC Pulled Pork and BBQ Sauce
Printable recipe
Yield: 6-8 large servings with approximately 2 cups of sauce
1 fresh pork shoulder (or use a “picnic” roast)
kosher salt
Place pork shoulder in crockpot and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Cover and cook on High 3-4 hours or Low 6-8 hours, or until meat easily shreds with two forks. Remove pork from crockpot and shred or chop, whichever you prefer. Top with BBQ sauce. Serve straight up or on buns. Be sure to serve with extra sauce on the side!
For the sauce:
1 cup distilled white vinegar
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. Texas Pete hot sauce (or more to taste)
2 Tbsp. sugar (whatever you have on hand)
2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
Combine all sauce ingredients in a medium bowl. Put sauce in a squeeze bottle or other container and allow to sit at least 24-48 hours for best flavor. You can also make larger batches, as this keeps well. There is no need to refrigerate the sauce.
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Just made this. It was delicious! Thanks so much for the recipe and recommendation (i've never made pulled pork before!).
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Miranda!
Fantastic – love all 3 of your links to Food on Friday! Cheers
Looks so good. I love North Carolina style sauce. Wish I had one of those sandwiches right now 🙂
Vinegar and pork will forever remind of my childhood. Even though South Carolina low country style pork has a little bit different sauce, it is heavy on the vinegar. And that, to me, is perfection in barbecue. (the vinegar, I mean.) P.S. I found you through your link on Caroline's Chatter.
Vinegar in the BBQ sauce, yeah buddy!! It doesn't get any better than that!! Out here in TX, they think they know BBQ ~ they ain't got nothin on Carolina pulled pork!! Thanks for sharing this at Mom's Test Meal Mondays!! Pinning 🙂