My oven pulled pork is made with a simple dry rub so that you can use it in a variety of meals. Cooked low and slow right in the oven, all you need to do is season the meat, roast, and pull. It’s so easy!
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You Will Love This Pulled Pork in the Oven Recipe
I love cooking pulled pork in the oven but have found that most recipes are made with BBQ sauce. Now, I do love BBQ pulled pork, but sometimes I want to use it in different ways!
Plus, you can always add a quick homemade BBQ sauce at the end if you want that added flavor and sauce!
Seasoned in a simple combination of brown sugar and seasonings, you can choose exactly how you want to serve it. Use it in a sandwich, tacos, on top of nachos, or on its own with your favorite carb on the side… or on top of mac and cheese!
The best part about my pulled pork recipe? It’s incredibly easy. You’ll just need some patience as it slowly cooks! Need a more hands off approach? Use my slow cooker pulled pork or pressure cooker pulled pork instead.
And, if you love pork, try my baby back ribs in the oven too!
Oven Pulled Pork Ingredients
- Pork Shoulder (Pork Butt) – excess fat trimmed
- Chicken Broth
- Olive Oil
- Brown Sugar
- Paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Salt & Pepper – to taste
Best Pork for Pulled Pork in Oven
The best pork for pulled pork in the oven is pork shoulder, also called pork butt or Boston butt. This cut of pork has the perfect balance of fat and meat, which will give you tender and juicy results when cooked low and slow! You can use either bone-in or boneless.
How to Make Pulled Pork in the Oven
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Trim any excess fat from the pork if you haven’t already done so. When you’re done, add all of the dry rub ingredients to a small bowl and mix.
STEP TWO: Thoroughly dry the pork with paper towels, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle the BBQ dry rub all over. Press the mixture evenly on all sides of the meat so it’s nicely coated.
STEP THREE: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F with the oven rack in the middle position. Place the seasoned pork in your baking pan of choice and add the chicken broth to it to keep the pork moist.
STEP FOUR: Cover tightly with aluminum foil and cook your pulled pork oven recipe for about 1 hour per pound or until its internal temperature reaches 190-200 degrees F. You may have to adjust the cooking time based on your oven.
STEP FIVE: Let the pork rest for about 15-20 minutes before using 2 forks to shred the meat directly in the pan using these handy shredder claws. Enjoy!
Pulled Pork Oven Recipe Variations
- Add your favorite vegetables directly to the roasting pan for added flavor! I like carrots, onions, and bell peppers best.
- Switch up the dry rub and season the meat with a combination of cumin, chili powder, oregano, garlic, and lime juice to create a Mexican-inspired pulled pork oven recipe. It tastes great in tacos, burritos, or on homemade nachos!
- Soy sauce, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, and sesame oil will give you an Asian-inspired marinade that would be perfect for banh mi pulled pork. Serve it on buns with pickled veggies.
- Or, opt for a different marinade made with pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. This tropical twist on pulled pork tastes great on Hawaiian slider buns with a slice of pineapple.
How to Serve This Oven Pulled Pork Recipe
Serve this oven pulled pork recipe on toasted buns with your choice of toppings. I like BBQ sauce, coleslaw, pickles, and sliced onions, though feel free to get creative!
If you’re not in the mood for sandwiches, you could also serve it alongside rice or mashed potatoes and some roasted veggies for a comforting meal.
How Much Pulled Pork Per Person?
Generally, you’ll want to plan for about ⅓ to ½ a pound of pulled pork per person for a generous serving. You may have to adjust based on appetites and whether or not the pulled pork is the main dish or not.
Sides for Pulled Pork
- Coleslaw
- Cornbread
- Baked beans
- Macaroni and cheese
- Potato salad
- Grilled vegetables
Best BBQ Sauce for Pulled Pork Oven Recipe
The best BBQ sauce for pulled pork in the oven depends on your personal preferences. Kansas City-style, Carolina-style, and Memphis-style are all popular choices. I like to use my homemade 2 ingredient BBQ sauce best!
How to Store Oven Pulled Pork
After cooking pulled pork in oven, cool completely and store leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.
Can You Freeze Pulled Pork?
Yes, you can freeze pulled pork for up to 2-3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating gently in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven.
How to Reheat Pulled Pork
To reheat pulled pork, place single servings on a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out, and heat in 30-second bursts until warmed through.
You could also reheat it in a saucepan over low heat or in a covered dish in the oven at 325 degrees F until hot.
Pulled Pork Oven FAQs
Should I cover pulled pork in the oven?
Yes, you should cover pulled pork in the oven to help the meat retain moisture and cook evenly. Once the pork is nearly cooked, you can uncover it to allow the top to carmelize and develop a slightly crispy crust if you’d like.
What is the best liquid to cook pulled pork in?
The best liquid to cook pulled pork in depends on what you like and have on hand. I personally prefer chicken broth for added flavor. Some other options include apple juice or even beer!
What is the secret to pulled pork?
The secret to perfect pulled pork is to cook it low and slow. The meat breaks down as it roasts, which gives you tender, juicy, and easy to “pull” results!
You’ll also want to make sure to season the meat before cooking it, choose the right cut (pork shoulder or butt), and let the meat rest before serving.
Pulled Pork Oven Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Dry Rub:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
For the Pulled Pork:
- 8 pounds pork shoulder also called pork butt, excess fat trimmed
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Before seasoning, trim any thick layers of excess fat from the pork shoulder. Leave some fat for flavor and tenderness, but remove any large pieces.
- In a small bowl, thoroughly mix all the ingredients for the dry rub until they are well combined.
- Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels, brush it with olive oil and then sprinkle and press the BBQ rub mixture evenly onto all sides of the pork. Don’t worry about perfection, just make sure it’s nicely coated.
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) for about 10-15 minutes, and also position the oven rack in the middle position for even cooking.
- Place the seasoned pork shoulder in a roasting pan, Dutch oven, sheet pan, or baking dish. Pour the chicken broth around the pork in the pan to keep it moist during cooking.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and then place it in the preheated oven. Cook the pork at a low temperature for about 1 hour per pound, or until its internal temperature reaches between 190°F to 200°F (88°C to 93°C).Adjust the cooking time based on your oven and the thickness of the pork. It should show signs of tenderness such as meat easily pulling away from the bone or shredding easily with a fork.
- Once it’s done, remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes. Then, using two forks, shred the pork directly in the roasting pan. Get rid of any large pieces of fat as you shred.
- Serve the pulled pork with your favorite BBQ sauce, on hamburger buns or rolls if you like, or enjoy it as it is.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Can you use a crock pot instead of the oven?
Buzz from the Napa Valley
Hi Buzz, Yes! Here is the method for making pulled pork in a crock pot.