This is one of our very best favorites. Slow cooked pork that has been seasoned with a sweet and spicy rub and bastes with a vinegar based mop. Served up on a roll with a table sauce. MMMmmmmmmm.
- 6- 8 lb Pork shoulder
- Rub
- Mop Sauce
- Table sauce
The Rub
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup paprika
- 2 tablespoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon cayenne
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
Mix all ingredients. This rub can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for several months.
Step 1
Trim off any loose fat and skin.
Apply a rub to flavor the meat. Work the rub deep into the meat and let it sit on the meat for at least an hour to mix with the juices from the meat. (I actually leave the skin cap on here, scoring it frst and removing it for step 2)
Roast uncovered in a 250 oven for 5 hours. Set meat aside and combine pan drippings (don’t skim the fat off) with the Mop Sauce.
Step 2
Preheat your gas grill or (even better) get your charcoal lit to medium-low heat. Grill the shoulder for another 1 – 3 hours, basting every 15 minutes or so with your mop sauce. If the outside seems a tiny bit charred, that’s OK–those are the best bites. 
Even better is to do this step in a smoker.
You can expect total cooking time to take approx 1- 1 1/2 hours per pound. Cook until it easily shreds with a fork.
When it is done, remove it from the heat and let sit for 30 minutes.
Shred the meat, separating any connective tissue and bone. Put shredded meat in a warm pot to keep warm while you are shredding. when done, moisten with any remaining mop sauce.
Mop Sauce
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup hot water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne
Combine all ingredients with pan drippings.
Serve warm with soft rolls and offer table sauce.
Table Sauce:
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne
Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and simmer while stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and serve warm.
