Pulled pork
Donal's pulled pork recipe is perfect for a crowd and easy to make. The pork shoulder braises on the hob and transforms to tender shreds that can be piled into a soft roll. With sweet potato fries and spicy coleslaw, this American classic is complete.
Ingredients
- 1kg/2lb 4oz boneless pork shoulder
- 4 floury bread rolls, to serve
For the pulled pork marinade
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 8 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 1½ tsp Tabasco
- ½ tsp coriander seeds
- 2 tbsp English mustard powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- 6 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp treacle
- 75g/2¾oz dark brown sugar
- sea salt
For the sweet potato fries
- 3 sweet potatoes, cut into thin chips
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- few fresh thyme sprigs
For the coleslaw
- 3 tbsp buttermilk (or plain yoghurt)
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 3 carrots, peeled and grated
- ½ head white cabbage, finely shredded
- ½ head red cabbage, finely shredded
- 6 spring onions, thinly sliced
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
To make the marinade, put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until you have a smooth mixture.
Put the pork in a large saucepan, pour over the marinade and turn the meat until coated. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 2 hours, or overnight if you have the time.
Place the pan over a high heat, add just enough water to cover the pork (you will need about 1 litre/1¾ pints) and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a steady simmer, cover with a lid and cook for 1½–2 hours, or until the pork pulls apart easily with a fork. You will need to turn the pork once or twice during the cooking time.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Put the sweet potato in a large roasting tin, drizzle over the oil and sprinkle with the Cajun seasoning and thyme. Roast for 35–40 minutes, turning halfway, until slightly charred on the edges.
When the pork is cooked, remove it from the sauce using a carving fork. Shred the pork (using two forks to pull it apart), then transfer to a plate, cover with kitchen foil and set aside. Return the marinade to the heat and bring to a steady simmer. Cook without a lid until reduced and thick.
For the coleslaw, put the buttermilk, mayonnaise, vinegar and garlic in a large bowl. Add the carrots, cabbages and spring onions and toss until coated. Season with salt and pepper.
Toast the buns, slide in the pulled pork and spoon over the marinade sauce. Serve with the sweet potato fries and coleslaw.
Recipe Tips
You can make this in advance. Store the cooled pulled pork in the refrigerator or freezer. When ready to eat, first thaw frozen pork in the fridge. To reheat, put the pork in an oven tray, stir in some of the marinade (enough to prevent the pork drying out) and cover with kitchen foil. Heat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4 and cook for about 30 minutes (the pork itself should reach 70C on a cooking thermometer, or be piping hot throughout).