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Flavorful Pulled Pork with Coffee BBQ Rub

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A smoky, rich pulled pork recipe featuring a bold coffee BBQ rub that delivers deep, complex flavors. Perfect for slow cooking and crowd-pleasing at any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–5 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), well-marbled
  • 2 tablespoons coffee grounds, finely ground
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 2 tablespoons paprika (smoked paprika if available)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (optional)
  • 1/2 cup water or apple juice

Instructions

  1. Trim the pork shoulder of excess fat, leaving a thin layer to keep the meat moist. Pat dry with paper towels. (5 minutes)
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine coffee grounds, brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir until even. (5 minutes)
  3. Rub olive oil all over the pork shoulder, then generously apply the coffee BBQ rub, pressing it onto the surface to form a crust. (5 minutes)
  4. Place the rubbed pork in a slow cooker or Dutch oven. Pour water or apple juice into the bottom to keep the pork moist. (2 minutes)
  5. Cook low and slow: In a slow cooker, set on low for 8-10 hours until pork is fall-apart tender (internal temp ~195°F). In a Dutch oven, cover and roast at 300°F for 5-6 hours, turning halfway through.
  6. Transfer cooked pork to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 15-20 minutes to lock in juices.
  7. Shred the pork using two forks or meat claws into bite-sized pieces. Mix in some cooking juices to keep moist and flavorful. (5-10 minutes)
  8. Optional: Spread shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes for a crispy crust, watching closely to avoid burning.

Notes

Use fresh, finely ground coffee for best flavor; decaf works if caffeine-free is desired. Resting the meat after cooking is crucial for juicy pulled pork. Keep cooking juices to mix into shredded pork for moisture. Optional broiling adds a crispy crust. Substitute coconut sugar for brown sugar or avocado oil for olive oil if preferred. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 195°F.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, coffee BBQ rub, slow cooker pulled pork, BBQ recipe, smoked pork, easy pulled pork, family dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/flavorful-pulled-pork-with-coffee-bbq-rub-easy-recipe-for-perfect-bbq/