Pulled Pork With Wet Mustard Rub

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/15/21
Pulled Pork with Wet Mustard Rub
Pulled Pork with Wet Mustard Rub Regarding BBQ, Inc.
Prep: 17 mins
Cook: 8 hrs
Marinate and Rest: 2 hrs
Total: 10 hrs 17 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
895 Calories
53g Fat
11g Carbs
92g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 895
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 53g 68%
Saturated Fat 19g 94%
Cholesterol 323mg 108%
Sodium 1618mg 70%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 6g 23%
Protein 92g
Calcium 215mg 17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Pulled pork is a versatile dish, and can be cooked a variety of ways with a range of seasonings. This pork shoulder is coated in a wet mustard rub with citrus peel and rosemary before it is smoked, adding wonderful layers of flavor. The combination of the tang from the mustard, the sweetness from the orange, and the earthiness of the rosemary makes for a shredded pork that can be used in a variety of ways, from a sandwich filling to a main dish alongside coleslaw and mac and cheese.

To prepare the wet mustard rub, you will need to use a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to mince the citrus peels and rosemary leaves; when they are mixed with the mustard, the rub becomes a thick paste that will stick nicely onto the pork butt. Then the pork is wrapped well and left to marinate for an hour or overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

The method of cooking here is smoking, which will take about eight hours. You can use any type of wood chips you prefer; some of the best wood for smoking pork are cherry, oak, mesquite, and hickory. While the pork is resting in the rub, make sure to prep the smoker and get it up to 225 F. Once the pork is cooked, you need to plan for another hour to allow the pork butt to sit, wrapped in aluminum foil, before shredding and tossing with a barbecue sauce, if you like.

Serve the pulled pork as a sandwich or entree along with your favorite barbecue sides such as baked beans, potato salad, mashed sweet potatoes, and cornbread.

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Ingredients

  • 1 (5- to 6-pound) boneless pork butt
  • Optional: 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
  • For the Rub:
  • 2 cups Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup minced parsley
  • 1/2 cup minced dried orange peel (or lemon peel)
  • 1/2 cup rosemary leaves (crushed)
  • 1/4 cup black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons salt

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a medium mixing bowl, mix the rub ingredients into a paste.

  3. Coat the pork shoulder with the rub, making sure to cover all sides. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

  4. Preheat a smoker and prepare for an 8 hour smoke. Make sure the wood chips are soaked and drained before using.

  5. Unwrap the pork shoulder and place in the smoker. Smoke for about 8 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 185 F. Add charcoal and wood chips as necessary to keep the temperature low, around 225 F.

  6. Once the pork is cooked, remove from the smoker and wrap tightly in aluminum foil; allow to sit for 1 hour.

  7. Unwrap the pork butt and shred using two large forks or shredding tools.

  8. If desired, combine the pork with your favorite barbecue sauce.

  9. Serve and enjoy.