The Ultimate Pulled Pork Sandwich

Instructions

For the Pulled Pork

1. In a small bowl, combine all of the spices. Rub the spices all over the meat. Add the meat to the slow cooker. Slow cook on LOW until the meat is very tender and falling apart, 8-12 hours.
2. Before you are ready to serve, remove the meat from the slow cooker and set it in a bowl or a rimmed baking sheet (it’s juicy, so using just a plate sometimes makes a mess). Then pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a clear container (like a big mason jar or a large glass measuring cup).
3. Shred the meat using two forks. Remove anything you don’t want to eat (bones, fat, gristle), and return the shredded meat to the slow cooker.
4. Use a spoon to remove most of the fat from the liquid you have in the glass container (the fat will be floating on the top by the time you have shredded the meat). Add enough liquid back to the slow cooker so that the meat looks moist and there’s a little on the bottom of the slow cooker (this might be all of the liquid and it might just be part – you aren’t going to ruin it, just play it by ear). Taste the meat and add enough salt so that it tastes a little salty. You don’t want it to be too salty, but you want to taste the salt, if that makes sense. Salt is going to heighten the flavor in the meat that already exists, so don’t under salt. Stir well and add a little more liquid if needed. Serve hot.
5. I like to keep the reserved liquid if I have any left to use when reheating the meat later.
6. Extra meat can be used in all kinds of recipe or stored in the freezer for later use.

For the Barbecue Sauce

1. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cook the onion and garlic in the olive oil until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Take care not to burn the onions and garlic and stir often. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
2. The onion and garlic will still be about the size you cut them into. If you don’t mind a chunky BBQ sauce, then you are ready to use your homemade sauce. If you like it smoother (which I prefer), let the BBQ sauce cool for 10-15 minutes, carefully place it in a blender jar and process until smooth.
3. The barbecue sauce can be used right away or refrigerated until you need it. This will last about 2 weeks in the fridge.

To make the Sandwiches

1. Toast or grill your buns if you like. Add barbecue sauce to the inside of both buns. Add warm pulled pork and top with sliced red onion, optional cheese, and pickles. Serve right away.