Simple Pulled Pork

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Ingredients:

Bone-in pork shoulder (approximately 5 lbs.)

1 large red onion, halved and then sliced

1 cup ketchup

3/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 T. dijon mustard

1/4 c. packed brown sugar

2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. ancho chili powder*

1 tsp. Spanish paprika

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/2-1 tsp. chili de arbol powder*

1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

1 T. Worcestershire

1 T. molasses

*Season to your preferred heat level.  If you can't find ancho chile powder or chile de arbol you can substitute cayenne pepper or regular chili powder.  Ancho chile has a medium heat; chile de arbol is very spicy!

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients (except pork and red onion) in a bowl. The above are simply suggestions, we recommended tasting the sauce at this point to see if you want more of something.
2. Trim the pork shoulder/butt of any skin and as much fat that you can. 
3. Put onion in the slow cooker. Place pork shoulder/butt on top of the onions.  Pour BBQ sauce over the pork and place lid on cooker.
4. Set your slow cooker on the low setting for about 8-10 hours.
5. Remove the pork and place it in a large bowl.  The meat should be falling off the bone.  Remove the bone, gristle and any fat that is left.  Using a mixer, shred the pork to your desired pulled pork consistency.
6. Take a look at your sauce. Is it as thick as you like it? If not, pour it in a sauce pan and cook over medium heat until the sauce is reduced to your liking, stirring occasionally.
7. Put the pulled pork and sauce back into the slow cooker and cook on low for at least another hour. Put the pulled pork back into the slow cooker and pour the BBQ sauce on top. Cover and keep on low for at least another hour, up to 3-4 hours. (If the sauce looks good to you, you can skip this step.)

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