Juneteenth BBQ Pulled Pork Delight (Printable)

Indulge in tender pulled pork and refreshing watermelon slaw.

# What You Need:

→ Pulled Pork

01 - 4 lbs pork shoulder Boston butt boneless
02 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
03 - 1 tbsp smoked paprika
04 - 2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 2 tsp onion powder
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp chili powder
08 - 1 tsp salt
09 - ½ tsp black pepper
10 - 1 cup apple cider vinegar
11 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
12 - 1 cup barbecue sauce gluten-free if needed

→ Watermelon Slaw

13 - 3 cups seedless watermelon julienned or cut into small cubes
14 - 2 cups green cabbage shredded
15 - 1 cup red cabbage shredded
16 - ½ cup carrot shredded
17 - ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
18 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
19 - 2 tbsp lime juice
20 - 1 tbsp honey
21 - 2 tbsp olive oil
22 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How-To:

01 - Mix brown sugar smoked paprika garlic powder onion powder cumin chili powder salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture evenly over the pork shoulder. Place the pork in a slow cooker or Dutch oven. Add apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce around the pork. Cook on low for 6–8 hours or in the oven at 300°F 150°C covered until the pork is fork-tender and easily shreds. Remove pork from the pot and shred with two forks removing excess fat. Mix in barbecue sauce and return to heat for an additional 15 minutes.
02 - In a large bowl combine watermelon green cabbage red cabbage carrot red onion and cilantro. In a small bowl whisk together lime juice honey olive oil salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss gently to combine. Chill until ready to serve.
03 - Pile BBQ pulled pork on a platter or sandwich buns if desired. Top generously with watermelon slaw. Serve immediately with additional barbecue sauce on the side.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • This dish beautifully balances smoky, savory flavors with a refreshing crunch that’s perfect for summer.
  • It’s a crowd-pleaser that invites stories and laughter around your table, just like it did at mine.
02 -
  • Don’t rush the cooking time; the longer the pork cooks, the more tender it becomes.
  • Grilling the pork for an hour before slow cooking gives it an irresistible smoky flavor.
03 -
  • Using a meat thermometer ensures your pork reaches the ideal temperature without drying out.
  • For an extra touch, try adding a splash of bourbon to the barbecue sauce for rich depth.
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