Sous Vide Pulled Pork Recipe with Chili Pepper BBQ Sauce

I love a great smoked pork shoulder, but when I don't have the patience to actually smoke one (or if it is raining, which is way to common this week!) I turn to my sous vide machine. I also share my recipe for a favorite chili pepper BBQ sauce of mine that is full of smoky flavorful without being too spicy.

Pulled pork is usually made using the pork butt, sometimes called the pork shoulder or Boston Butt, and is cooked over low heat, often in a smoker, for several hours. Using sous vide takes longer but you don't have to manage a fire or look in on the meat. My favorite combination is probably 156°F (68.8°C) for around 18 to 24 hours, it's shreddable but not over-tender. Curious abut more information on pork? Check out my how to sous vide pork shoulder guide.

Sous vide pulled pork chili pouring

For a more traditional flavor, you can either pre- or post-smoke the pork shoulder, just make sure it is cold when you are smoking it. I like to serve it with traditional BBQ sides such as corn on the cob, coleslaw, or macaroni and cheese.

When I want a special piece of meat there are a few good butchers in my area, but I've also been enjoying the super flavorful pork from Snake River Farms. I also enjoy trying the different ranchers that Crowd Cow has available.

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If you like this recipe and want to use sous vide to prepare nutritious and flavorful food, then my new book is perfect for you! Healthy Sous Vide has more than 70 flavorful, stress-free recipes with full nutritional information that will have you eating great and amazing your friends and family.

Modernist Tools, Ingredients, and Techniques Used

If you would like more information about the modernist techniques, ingredients, and equipment used in the pulled pork with chili pepper BBQ sauce recipe you can check out the following.

Sous Vide Pulled Pork with Chili Pepper BBQ Sauce Recipe

  • Published: March 23, 2017
  • By Jason Logsdon
  • Prep Time: 15 Minutes
  • Total Time: 18 to 24 Hours
  • Cooks: 156°F (68.8°C) for 18 to 24 Hours
  • Serves: 4 to 8

Ingredients for Sous Vide Pulled Pork with Chili Pepper BBQ Sauce

Sous vide pulled pork chili bourbon vert
  • For the Pork Shoulder

  • 2 to 3 pounds pork shoulder (900 to 1360 grams) (I personally love Snake River Farms and Crowd Cow)
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • For the Chili Pepper Sauce

  • 4 to 7 dried chili peppers
  • Olive oil
  • 1/3 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup sherry vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcester sauce
  • 1/4 cup dark rum
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • To Assemble

  • BBQ Sides

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Cooking Instructions for Sous Vide Pulled Pork with Chili Pepper BBQ Sauce

For the Pork Shoulder

Preheat a water bath to 156°F (68.8°C).

If the pork shoulder is too large to fit into a bag, cut it into multiple pieces. Mix the spices together in a bowl then coat the pork with them. Place the pork in a sous vide bag then seal. Cook the pork for 18 to 24 hours.

For more information on the cooking times you can read my detailed article which addresses why is there a range in sous vide cooking times.

For the Chili Pepper Sauce

Take the chili peppers and soak them in water for 30 minutes. Remove the stems and seeds.

Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add the tomato paste then cook until just starting to darken. Add the chili peppers and remaining ingredients and blend well. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let cook for at least 5 minutes for the flavors to meld, or up to 30 minutes if you want it thicker. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more water until it is the desired consistency.

To Assemble

Remove the pork from the sous vide bag and shred it with a fork and tongs.

On a plate, make a pile of the pulled pork and top with the chili pepper BBQ sauce. Serve with your favorite BBQ sides.

Sous vide pulled pork chili top

Want Great Sous Vide Recipes?

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Healthy Sous Vide is the latest cookbook from Jason Logsdon, the best selling author of 10 sous vide and modernist cookbooks, and it shares many of his favorite recipes developed over the years so you can eat nutritious, flavor-packed meals that taste amazing. If you are a looking for a way to boost the flavor of your healthy meals, this book will help you create amazing food that your friends and family will love!

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Related Amazing Food Made Easy Articles

All tags for this article: BBQ, Pork, Pulled Pork, Recipe, Sous Vide, Sous Vide BBQ , Sous Vide Boston Butt, Sous Vide Picnic Roast, Sous Vide Pork , Sous Vide Pork Shoulder , Sous Vide Pulled Pork , Sous Vide Recipes


Jason logsdon headshot This article is by me, Jason Logsdon. I'm an adventurous home cook and professional blogger who loves to try new things, especially when it comes to cooking. I've explored everything from sous vide and whipping siphons to pressure cookers and blow torches; created foams, gels and spheres; made barrel aged cocktails and brewed beer. I have also written 10 cookbooks on modernist cooking and sous vide and I run the AmazingFoodMadeEasy.com website.
Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links on this site might be affiliate links that if used to purchased products I might receive money. I like money but I will not endorse something I don't believe in. Please feel free to directly go to any products I link to and bypass the referral link if you feel uncomfortable with me receiving funds.
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