A delicious picnic roast pork shoulder, in the middle of being pulled on a wood plank.

Perfect Pork Pulls Recipes and Reviews

Explore the Most Delicious Protein You Can Put On A Sandwich

Recipes and Reviews

Charred pork shoulder wrapped with chord resting on a spit in front of a restaurant.

My Favourite Recipe

I have always loved a juicy pulled pork sandwich, and as I get older, I have come to appreciate the plethora of flavours that different cooks are able to incorporate. Let me describe to you some of my favourites! First, I'll start by giving you a recipe for a classic Pulled Pork Sandy, the exact same way my grandpa always made. Even though there are only a small number of ingredients and it might seem a little basic, this northern Alberta recipe is full of the care and attention needed to get the most out of your time and effort in preparation.

  • Ingredients
  • Pork shoulder
  • Spice rub (salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, chili)
  • Smoky BBQ sauce
A man standing in front of a brick oven, wearing gloves and holding a spiced pork shoulder.

Healthy Alternative Recipes

My alternative for a healthy version of pulled pork relies a little more heavily on the preparation of the pork shoulder. I have found that the worst culprits are the BBQ sauce, and the sodium in the spice rub. The easiest way I make my meal healthier is by starting with a brine! I start with warm water, then add enough salt to create my own little ocean. Stir the brine to help it dissolve, then make sure you chill before inserting your pork. I find that it creates a juicier end result, plus you get a pleasant seasoning throughout. I also think it's a great idea to make sure you choose buns that work with your dietary needs.

I prefer to combine my methods together whenever I have the time, because it helps me to make the best result possible. The juiciness I can get out of a brine elevates the flavour profiles I can taste when I also add a good spice rub.

  1. Low Sodium BBQ Sauce
  2. Low Sodium Salt Alternative
  3. Homemade BBQ Sauce with less sugar
Perfect pork pulls logo with catchphrase underneath in retro font.

Serve a Super Bowl of Flavour

I was recently reading an article from All Recipes about their "most saved recipe for the Super Bowl" and was intrigued to see it was a recipe for slow cooker Texas pulled pork! I noticed the recipe had over 2200 five star ratings, so I figured I would give it a try and I was not disappointed. The recipe was so easy to follow, a child could do it (with supervision of course). All Recipes mentions "There is no real secret ingredient or hack to great pulled pork—just patience.", and suggests that you use a slow cooker to save your effort. When I made the recipe, I found that using a slow cooker was absolutely crucial! The ability to throw in a hunk of pork shoulder, set it and walk away for hours on end was a game changer. I could get some things checked off my task list while I was making a meal for my family, and it's probably the best way to keep the juices locked in to the meat.

One of the best things about any pulled pork recipe is adaptability, but this one is incredible. I didn't cut down to three ingredients as All Recipes suggests trying, but I did take out the Worcestershire sauce to accommodate an allergy and it was delicious. One thing I found noteworthy in the article was the different ways that All Recipes outlined how the recipe could be used. They mention "nachos, loaded tater tots, pizza" and I think that's just the beginning. I can't wait to try this one a few more times to see how else I can use it!

If you want to check out more about the article, you can find it here. If you'd like to try the actual recipe for yourself, you can see all the details here.

What's New & Exciting!

A pair of gloved hands organizing a platter of pulled pork and other assorted grilled sides. A pulled pork burger on a plank topped with onions and tomatoes and a pile of fries in the background. A pulled pork taco on a white plate with a lime wedge, in front of a pink background.

Gaylen's Favourite Picnic Spot

My favourite picnic spot is just a little way north of Edmonton, outside of St. Albert. It's totally secluded, and on the banks of the Sturgeon River. I love it because I can get away and enjoy nature without hearing the sounds of the city. It's pretty easy to get to, from Edmonton you'll want to exit the Anthony Henday at St. Albert Trail, then turn right onto Winston Churchill Avenue. Follow the winding road and you'll see a gravel road to turn down just outside the city!

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