Dr. Pepper has always been my favorite soda, so trying it in a pulled pork recipe felt inevitable. I first spotted this idea years ago and was fascinated by how the sweet fizz pairs with smoky chipotle to create a bold sweet-and-spicy braising liquid. The flavors seep into the meat and reduce into a rich sauce as the pork simmers for hours.
This pulled pork is so flavorful it often doesn’t need additional barbecue sauce. It’s great for feeding a crowd and holds up well for parties or family dinners. To keep the meat juicy and tender, leave some of the small pieces of fat in the shredded pork — they melt into the meat and add moisture and flavor.
Spicy Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
No reviews
- Author: Amanda
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, halved and thickly sliced
- One 5- to 7-pound pork shoulder, cut into large chunks
- 3 cups Dr. Pepper (2 cans)
- Half of an 11-ounce can chipotle puree, or chipotles in adobo, finely minced or pureed — adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
In a large Dutch oven, arrange the sliced onions on the bottom to create a bed for the pork. Generously season the pork shoulder pieces with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then place them on top of the onions. In a bowl, whisk together the Dr. Pepper, chipotle puree and brown sugar until evenly combined. Pour the mixture over the pork so most of the meat is partially submerged. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and transfer it to the oven.
Bake for 3 to 4 hours, or until the pork is very tender and easily pulls apart with two forks. Remove the pot from the oven and let the meat rest briefly so it’s easier to handle. Shred the pork with forks, discarding any large chunks of fat while leaving some small bits for richness. Return the shredded pork to the cooking liquid to absorb flavor and stay warm until serving.
Notes
- For the best texture and flavor, keep some of the small fatty pieces in the shredded pork; they render down and keep the meat moist.
Recipe inspiration came from a spicy soda-braised pulled pork idea featured by other home cooks and chefs.
- Category: Pork