Mike's Hot Honey Pulled Pork

Preparation (Day Before)

1. Rinse pork shoulder under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

2. With fat cap up, score the fat in a diamond pattern, cutting through the fat but not into the meat.

3. Coat entire pork shoulder with a thin layer of yellow mustard (this helps the rub stick).

4. Combine pepper, salt, and paprika to create your BBQ rub.

5. Generously coat the entire pork with rub, allowing each side to "sweat" before turning.

6. Cover and refrigerate overnight for best results.

Smoking Day

1. Preheat smoker to 275°F. For optimal flavor, use a mix of fruit woods (cherry or apple) with pecan or oak.

2. Place pork on smoker with fat cap facing your heat source.

3. Monitor and maintain temperature, spritzing with water hourly if bark appears dry.

4. Smoke until internal temperature reaches 165°F (about 6-8 hours).

5. Increase smoker temperature to 325°F.

6. Continue cooking until internal temperature hits 202°F (2-4 more hours).

7. Remove from smoker and let rest for 30 minutes.

8. Pull meat apart using forks, removing bone and excess fat.

9. Drizzle generously with Mike's Hot Honey while still hot.

Pro Smoking Tips

• Choose a pork shoulder with good marbling and a nice fat cap
• Let meat come to room temperature before smoking
• Don't rush the process – temperature plateaus are normal
• Use a water pan in your smoker for moisture
• Wrap in butcher paper at 165°F if you prefer a softer bark
• Look for probe tenderness – it should feel like butter when done

Temperature Guide

• 165°F: Time to wrap or push through the stall
• 190°F: Start checking for tenderness
• 195-203°F: Target zone for perfect pull
• 205°F+: Risk of drying out

Serving Suggestions

Create the ultimate pulled pork experience with:

• Brioche buns or Hawaiian rolls
• Creamy coleslaw
• Extra Mike's Hot Honey for drizzling
• Pickled red onions
• Southern-style baked beans
• Mac and cheese
• Grilled corn with hot honey butter

Storage & Reheating

Storage

• Refrigerate in airtight containers up to 4 days
• Freeze portions up to 3 months
• Store with some juice to prevent drying

Reheating Methods

1. Sous Vide: Best method for maintaining moisture

• Heat sealed portions in 165°F water for 45 minutes

2. Oven:

• Place in covered dish with juice
• Heat at 250°F until warm
• Drizzle fresh Mike's Hot Honey before serving

3. Slow Cooker:

• Add juice and heat on low
• Stir occasionally until heated through

Make It Your Own

• Add a coffee rub for deeper flavor
• Try different wood combinations
• Experiment with injection marinades
• Create a Hot Honey BBQ sauce by mixing your favorite BBQ sauce with Mike's Hot Honey

Perfect Pairings

• Bourbon-based cocktails
• Craft IPA or lager
• Our Hot Honey Margarita
• Southern sweet tea with hot honey

Ready to take your BBQ game to the next level? Find Mike's Hot Honey near you or shop online at mikeshothoney.com. Share your smoking success with us on social media using #MikesHotHoney!