You can absolutely make pulled pork with a pork loin. (Keep in mind we aren’t talking about pork tenderloin. These cuts of pork are need different cooking times and are not interchangeable, read about the differences here.) Of course, it’s also very popular to use a pork shoulder roast or pork butt for pulled pork.
Can you use pork loin instead of pork shoulder for pulled pork?
Pork shoulder is the better cut for pulled pork, but you can use pork loin if you wish. Instead of roasting the pork, use a slow-cooker to retain the juice and make the meat more tender.
What kind of pork loin do you use for pulled pork?
pork shoulder
The classic cut to use for pulled pork is a pork shoulder, which you may also see named at the store as “pork butt” or “Boston butt.” I prefer a boneless roast that has been tied, but you could do a bone-in cut as well.
Can you use any cut of pork for pulled pork?
Unlike brisket, pulled pork can be made from any fatty pork roast or from a whole hog, but the best cut for pulled pork is the shoulder. High in fat and connective tissue, the shoulder is the most flavorful part of the hog. The pork shoulder is typically cut into two parts, the Boston butt and the picnic roast.
What can I use instead of pork shoulder for pulled pork?
So, what is the best pork shoulder substitute? Of course, the ultimate substitute for a particular pork shoulder is a different pork shoulder. Alternatively, pork leg (ham), upper loin roast, and upper leg are also suitable. For substitutes that do not contain pork, lamb shoulder or sirloin is the best substitute.
Is pork loin or tenderloin better for pulled pork?
What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork? Pork shoulder or pork butt are often used for pulled pork. You can also use pork tenderloin (like this recipe) for a leaner cut of meat!
What can I make with a whole pork loin?
It can make roasts, chops, stew meat, stir fry meat, or a hundred other things. It all depends on how you want to break it down. The pork loin laid out and ready for butchering. But don’t go into this without a plan!
Can pork tenderloin be shredded?
Slow cooker pulled pork tenderloin is an easy make ahead freezer meal. Once it defrosts, just dump it in the slow cooker, shred, and serve. Bbq pork tenderloin in the crockpot is such a great freezer meal to take to new moms.
Can I use pork loin instead of pork shoulder for carnitas?
Most typically, people use pork shoulder to make carnitas because of the fat content. Pork loin comes from the side of the rib and is much learner than a pork shoulder. I love to roast pork loin, but I really like using it for carnitas because you get a meatier texture.
What temp does pork loin shred?
205F degrees
The best internal temperature for pulled pork is 205F degrees. At this temperature, the meat is juicy, succulent, and will shred with minimal effort. While it’s safe to consume at a much lower temperature, the connective tissues will still be intact.
What is the difference between pork loin and pork shoulder?
The pork loin is the leanest part of a pig with little fat, while pork shoulder texture is lean with some fat marbling. The color of fresh pork loin is light but pork shoulder has bright pink or dark red color. With different textures, their flavors are also quite different.
Can you shred pork loin with a mixer?
Can I Shred Pork with a Hand Mixer? Yes! It is easy to shred meat using a hand mixer.
What is pork loin used for?
This versatile cut of meat is best for quick roasting, broiling, grilling, sautéing, and braising. Keyword here is quick. By itself, it’s a mild-tasting meat. So think of it as a blank but juicy canvas for sauces, rubs, and marinades.
What is the secret to tender pulled pork?
Cooking the pork low and very slow is the secret to the juiciest and most tender pulled pork. Serve the pork as is or feel free to stir in your favorite barbecue or other sauces at the end of cooking.
Can you overcook pulled pork?
In a word, yes. If pork shoulder or pork butt is allowed to cook past 210 degrees or so, the meat will begin to dry out. This will affect the quality of your pulled pork, even if you smother the meat in barbecue sauce before serving it.
What is pork shoulder loin?
Pork loin and pork shoulder come from different parts of a pig’s body; pork loin comes from the area between the shoulder and the back legs, while pork shoulder comes from the upper shoulder and between the shoulder blades.
How do you smoke a pork loin roast for pulled pork?
Preheat your smoker to 225ºF* for 15 minutes, lid closed. Add the pork loin to the grill and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 155ºF to 165ºF or until you’re happy with the bark that’s formed, about 4 hours. Optional: Spritz with apple juice or apple cider vinegar every 60-90 minutes.
What should I serve with pulled pork?
So without further ado, let’s dig in!
- Cornbread. Cornbread is a classic partner to pulled pork.
- Sweet Corn Fritters.
- Honey Butter Biscuits.
- Spicy Collard Greens.
- Coleslaw.
- Onion and Tomato Curtido Salad.
- Macaroni Salad.
- Cucumber Tomato Salad.
Is pork loin a good cut of meat?
When you cook it right, at a low temperature and for not too long a time, pork loin is very tender. The center cut portion of the pork loin is the leanest (and most expensive) cut of meat from the pig.
Is a pork loin the same as a pork roast?
Pork loin describes a cut of meat, while pork roast is all about the size. You can buy several different types of pork loin roasts, all of which provide protein, B vitamins and zinc.
Can you cut a pork loin in half?
We can leave it as one piece for a roast or even cut in half to make two nice smaller roasts or cut it into chops just like we did with the center rib section.