Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sandwich with Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce

Pull apart the layers of tender, juicy pork, slow-cooked to perfection and drenched in a sweet, tangy homemade barbecue sauce. Piled high on a soft bun, this sandwich will make your taste buds dance with excitement. Perfect for a weekend gathering or a cozy family dinner, this dish requires minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor.

Ingredients:
For the Pulled Pork:
– 1 pork shoulder (about 4-5 lbs)
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 large onion, sliced
– 4 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 cup apple cider vinegar
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 2 tbsp smoked paprika
– 1 tbsp chili powder
– 1 tbsp garlic powder
– 1 tbsp onion powder
– 1 tbsp brown sugar
– 1 tbsp salt
– 1 tsp black pepper
– 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

For the Sweet BBQ Sauce:
– 1 cup ketchup
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
– 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
– 1 tbsp soy sauce
– 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
– 1 tsp smoked paprika
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp onion powder
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper

For Serving:
– 8 brioche buns, toasted
– Coleslaw (optional)
– Pickles (optional)

Instructions:
1. Prepare the Pork:
– Rub the pork shoulder with olive oil.
– In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Rub the spice mix all over the pork shoulder.

2. Slow Cooking:
– Place the sliced onions and minced garlic at the bottom of your slow cooker.
– Position the rubbed pork shoulder on top of the onions and garlic.
– Pour the apple cider vinegar and chicken broth over the pork.
– Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the pork is fall-apart tender.

3. Shred the Pork:
– Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker and let it cool slightly.
– Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces, discarding any excess fat. Set aside.

4. Make the Sweet BBQ Sauce:
– In a medium saucepan, combine all BBQ sauce ingredients: ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
– Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
– Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

5. Combine:
– Mix about two-thirds of the BBQ sauce into the shredded pork in the slow cooker. Keep warm.

6. Assemble the Sandwiches:
– Pile the pulled pork onto the toasted brioche buns.
– Drizzle with additional BBQ sauce.
– Top with coleslaw and pickles, if using.

7. Serve:
– Serve immediately and enjoy your delightful pulled pork sandwich!

This sandwich’s deep flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture make it an irresistible choice for any meal occasion.