World's Best Carolina Pulled Pork

Step 1

NOTE: This recipe should be started 2 days ahead of time as you need 24 hours in the fridge, 12-14 in the oven and 2 hours of resting.

Step 2

Mix all of the ingredients together in a ziploc bag. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large stock pot, add the water, apple cider, salt, sugar, 3 tablespoons dry rub, pepper flakes and bay leaves.

Step 4

Rinse off the pork and add to the pot making sure it is completely covered in the brine and add the lid.

Step 5

Place in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours.

Step 6

In a glass jar, add the ingredients and place the lid on then shake to combine. Set aside.

Step 7

Heat the oven to 225 degrees F.

Step 8

Remove the pork from the brine and place in a roasting dish or 9x13" baking pan as long as the sides don't touch the pan.

Step 9

Pat very dry with paper towels.

Step 10

Remove 2 tablespoons of the dry rub to another ziploc and set aside for after it is cooked.

Step 11

Rub the remaining seasoning all over the pork and in any cracks or flaps.

Step 12

With the fat facing up, place the pork in the oven with a meat thermometer.

Step 13

Bake for 12-14 hours or until 200 degrees F registers on the thickest part of the pork with a meat thermometer. *Remember to watch your oven, ours turns off automatically at 12 hours so I have to turn it back on.

Step 14

At this point you can turn off the oven and leave the pork in there to rest for two hours or if you have more baking to do place foil over the meat and allow to rest on the stove.

Step 15

Once the meat has rested, remove the fat from the top and using two forks, shred the meat and remove the bone.

Step 16

Drain half of the juices out and add the remaining dry rub to taste, toss to coat and drizzle a little vinegar sauce over everything.

Step 17

Serve immediately as is or on buns.