Smoked Shredded Pork sandwiches just shout SUMMER to me. I am not sure why, but sunshine makes me think of serving these sandwiches at summer get-togethers. Maybe it’s the fact that we serve them with BBQ sauce which makes me think of summer. Whatever the reason, this recipe is easy and pretty hands-off, perfect for busy summer recipes. This recipe serves a large crowd of people. If you don’t need to serve a large crowd, half this recipe. Shredded pork freezes well though, so you could prep for future meals all at once too.
I like to buy the large pork loins at Costco. They are typically $2.29/lb, but on Memorial Day weekend, I was able to get them for about S1.89/lb. That’s an amazing price in this over-inflated grocery world! If you are willing to do a bit of work to trim your meat and cut it in half, this is a great way to save money.
Last summer, my husband gifted me a Bradley Smoker for our anniversary gift. I had been wanting one for quite a while, so I was over the moon happy when he got it for me. One thing I love about having a smoker is the ease in which you are able to add great flavor, have moist delicious meat, and have minimal prep and clean-up. It’s a win-win all around. I know there are many smokers on the market, but I think as long as you are staying at the temperature I recommend, no matter the smoker you have, this recipe should work fantastically. I also add a note in the recipe of how to change it if you don’t have a smoker.
Another way I add flavor to this smoked shredded pork besides smoking it in my smoker for 40 minutes, is the special rub that I add in the prep of this recipe. You can turn up or down the spice as needed with how you adjust you cayenne pepper. I promise you will love this pork rub!
I love serving this shredded pork on my homemade gluten free hamburger buns. If you don’t like to make your own hamburger buns, you can always purchase some at the store. Another way I like to serve this meat is that once I shredded it, I go ahead and add the BBQ sauce to the meat and serve it as a topping for nachos. I once had a big family event where I served a nacho bar. I had three different meat options, this shredded pork with BBQ sauce, taco meat with my homemade taco seasoning, and my shredded chicken recipe. However you choose to serve the pork, I know you will love it.
This recipe is for a LOT of meat! It is a bit tricky getting it to fit in one crockpot-see recipe for my trick. I make it work, but having two crockpots would make it easier. If you don’t need to cook enough meat to feed a small army, then you can always half the recipe.
Smoked Shredded Pork Loin with Rub
Equipment
- 1 Smoker- I have a Bradley Smoker, but any type will work
- 1-2 large Crockpot/Slow Cooker
- cutting board
- sharp knife
- measuring spoons, tongs
Ingredients
Pork Loin Rub
- 8 tsp paprika 2TBSP + 2 tsp is another way to think of this
- 8 tsp sea salt 2TBSP + 2 tsp is another way to think of this
- 2 TBSP garlic powder
- 2 TBSP onion powder
- 2 TBSP black pepper
- 2 TBSP dried thyme leaves
- 2 TBSP oregano, dried
- 1/2-1 tsp cayenne pepper I typically use 1/2 tsp, but if you want more heat, add more
Smoked Shredded Pork Loin
- 2 8 lb Pork Loin I like to buy these at Costco
- olive oil
- pork loin rub
- 1/4 C chicken stock
Instructions
- You want your meat to be out of the fridge for at least 40 minutes before placing in the smoker. I like to set it on my counter to "warm" up while the smoker is coming to temperature and I am making the spice rub.
Pork Loin Rub Instructions
- In a small glass container like a canning jar, add all spices and mix well. Set aside.
Smoked Shredded Pork Instructions
- Prepare smoker. For my electric Bradley smoker, I just need to add my discs, fill my water bowl, and turn it on to the temperature I want which is about 225-250 degrees. You want it up to temperature when you add your meat.I also leave the racks out of the smoker until I am ready to add my prepared meat. If you have a different type of smoker, prepare it per the instructions.
- Prepare pork loin by trimming off all the outside fat. Cut the 8 lb loins in half. If you don't need to feed a crowd, simply use one 8 lb pork loin, or even a half roast if there are just 2-4 of you.
- Drizzle a little olive oil on the pork loin pieces enough to coat all around.
- Sprinkle the pork loin rub all over your pork loins and use your hands to rub in the rub. You want the entire loin coated with the spices.
- Once all pieces of the pork loin are prepared and if your smoker is up to temperature, add your meat to the smoker. Smoke the meat for about 40 minutes. **see notes if you don't have a smoker
- Remove the pork from the smoker, cut pork loins in half again, and then put into your crockpot/slow cooker. Add the chicken stock. If you cook both 8 lb pork loins, this will fill up your crock pot to past the lid. You can lock your lid for about 15-20 minutes to help "squish" the meat down. But then UNLOCK the lid so that you don't crack your lid. VERY IMPORTANT! If you don't want to worry about this step have two crockpots/slow cookers or just cook one pork loin.
- Cook on HIGH for about 7 hours or until the meat is tender enough to shred. The pork loin will release a lot of liquid. I removed some of the liquid about 4 hours into the cooking time. You do need some of the liquid saved because you will add the shredded meat back into the crockpot with some of the juices.
- Remove meat to a baking sheet or large cutting board and shred. Remove most of the liquid from the meat, reserving about 1 1/2 -2 C.
- Add shredded meat back to the crockpot. Add reserved liquid as needed. I don't like my meat too "juicy" but I also don't want it dry. So just add a little at a time and using tongs, mix your meat around until it looks good to you. You can turn your crockpot down to warm and serve immediately.
- Serve with BBQ sauce on gluten free hamburger buns, with nachos, or over a baked potato.
Notes
Smoked Shredded Pork Sandwiches are a favorite around my house…unless you ask my six year old, she’ll just want a regular old hamburger! I love this recipe because it is easy, doesn’t require much prep or ingredients, and can be make ahead of time and re-heated. Those are the best recipes!
Have a wonderful summer making yummy food and spending time with your family.
Emma
PS If you are looking for a great Father’s Day gift idea…this Pork Rub is a great gift idea. Simply but if in a cute canning jar and download this printable. I have it in a single jpg image in a 3×3 square. If you have several men in your life to gift, simply copy and paste this jpg into a word or google doc as many times as you need.
