Who can resist the allure of tender, succulent pulled pork? This slow cooker recipe takes it to the next level by infusing the pork shoulder with the rich flavors of Jack Daniels whiskey, resulting in an irresistible whiskey BBQ sauce. Whether you enjoy it on rolls, toast, in tacos, or on its own, this pulled pork is guaranteed to be a sublime experience.
Key Takeaways
A Flavorful Masterpiece
Prepare to be amazed by the melt-in-your-mouth texture of this slow cooker pulled pork. It’s a dish that will make you shed tears of joy. Perfect for game day parties or any special gathering, this recipe is proof that homemade is always better.
Forget about the pre-made versions available in stores. This homemade Jack Daniels pulled pork recipe captures the essence of BBQ spice-rubbed, smoked pork with minimal effort. It’s a culinary masterpiece that even Mr. Jack Daniel himself would approve of.
The Unmatched Versatility of Pulled Pork
This recipe yields a generous amount of pulled pork, but don’t worry—it freezes and reheats beautifully. Plus, bone-in pork shoulder is a budget-friendly cut of meat that adds depth of flavor to the dish. However, if you prefer boneless pork shoulder, it works just as well.
You have the flexibility to start this recipe in the morning and enjoy it for dinner or divide the tasks over a couple of days. Shredding the pork while it’s still hot is easier, but if you want to remove more fat, chilling it in the refrigerator can facilitate the process.
The Perfect Whiskey for Pulled Pork
When it comes to selecting the right whiskey for this recipe, Jack Daniels is undoubtedly the star. Its smoky and distinctive flavor complements the BBQ flavors beautifully, creating a unique mellow taste that makes the perfect barbecue sauce.
While there is a commercially available Signature Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce, slow-cooking the pork shoulder in the homemade sauce yields a vastly superior result. The combination of dark brown sugar and rich ripe tomatoes creates an unbeatable flavor profile.
If you’re a bourbon lover, you can certainly swap in your favorite bourbon to make a bourbon pulled pork. However, investing in a quality whiskey is crucial because the finest ingredients produce the best quality dish.
A Safe and Family-Friendly Dish
Concerned about serving alcohol-infused food to children? Fear not! Most of the alcohol evaporates during the initial cooking process, leaving no measurable alcohol content in the final dish. The US Department of Agriculture confirms that alcohol burns off at a lower temperature than water boiling, and this recipe cooks for longer, followed by a reduction in the sauce.
However, if someone in your home is in recovery, it’s considerate to inform them about the ingredients so they can make an informed decision.
Cooking Instructions
Before diving into the instructions, let’s go over the ingredients and equipment lists. Don’t be intimidated by the length of the ingredient list; you may already have most of them in your pantry.
Ingredients:
- Cooking Onions
- Garlic Cloves (or Granulated Garlic or Garlic Powder)
- Bone-In or Boneless Pork Shoulder
- Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
- Ketchup
- Dark Brown Sugar
- Dijon Mustard
- Worcestershire Sauce or Soy Sauce
- Tomato Paste
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Cayenne Pepper or Crushed Dark Chili Pepper Flakes
- Bay Leaves
The recipe requires a 6-quart or larger capacity slow cooker, a cutting board, a chef’s knife, a mixing bowl or a 4-cup capacity liquid measuring cup, a strainer/colander, a 2-quart saucepan, a 9×13 inch pan or other oven-safe pan, aluminum foil, and freezer bags or freezer-safe containers.
Let’s Get Cooking
Start by peeling the onions and slicing them into three thick slabs each. Arrange the onion slabs in a single layer at the bottom of your slow cooker crock. If using raw garlic cloves, peel them and scatter them among the onions. Trim the outer sleeve from the pork shoulder and place it on top of the onions. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the pork shoulder.
In a mixing bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine Jack Daniel’s, ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and apple cider vinegar. Pour the mixture over the pork shoulder, and add the bay leaves. Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours or HIGH for 5 to 6 hours until the pork is tender and falls apart easily.
Carefully transfer the cooked pork to a cutting board and shred it using your hands or two forks. Remove any excess fat and cut longer strands of pulled pork into bite-size pieces with a chef’s knife. Place the shredded pork in a 9×13 inch pan or an oven-safe serving dish, covering it with aluminum foil. To keep it warm, you can put it in a 145ºF oven.
Strain the cooking juices into a 2-quart saucepan and heat it over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil and reduce it to about ¼ of its original volume.
Open the foil-covered pan and drizzle the reduced BBQ whiskey glaze over the pulled pork. Toss it with forks or tongs to ensure even coverage.
Serve immediately if desired. Any leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen in small batches or meal-sized portions for up to 6 months.
Warming Instructions
To thaw and reheat the Jack Daniel’s Pulled Pork, you have several options. If using a microwave, reheat it in 30-second increments due to varying microwave wattages. Alternatively, you can reheat it in a foil-covered baking dish in a 350ºF oven for 20 minutes or until piping hot. Another option is to heat it in a covered saucepan with 1/4 cup of water over low heat until it’s steaming hot.
That’s it! You’re now equipped with the knowledge to create a mouthwatering Jack Daniels Pulled Pork that will impress everyone. Enjoy and savor this tender and flavorful dish!
