How to Make Carolina-Style "Whole Hog" Barbecue Pork - A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to barbecue, few styles are as iconic and beloved as Carolina-style "whole hog" barbecue pork. This traditional Southern dish is a labor of love, requiring hours of slow cooking and careful attention to detail. The result is tender, juicy meat with a complex flavor that can only be achieved through the time-honored cooking methods of the region.

Whole hog barbecue is a culinary tradition that has been passed down through generations in the Carolinas, with each family and...

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Ingredients

  • 2 ½ pounds baby back pork ribs
  • 1 ¾ pounds pork shoulder roast
  • 1 ¼ pounds pork tenderloin, trimmed
  • 1 pound pork belly, skin removed
  • ¾ pound pork sirloin roast
  • 5 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons smoked salt
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 9 hrs
  • Total Time: 9 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings: 10

  • Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
  • Cut ribs, pork shoulder, tenderloin, pork belly, and pork sirloin in half.
  • Combine kosher salt, brown sugar, smoked salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne for dry rub in a small bowl with a spoon.
  • Season cuts of meat on both sides with dry rub; reserve about 4 teaspoons of the rub to season the cooked pork if needed after tasting.
  • Place a piece of heavy-duty foil on a sheet pan. Place a half of ribs down in the center of the foil; top with shoulder, tenderloin, pork belly, and sirloin. Top with other rib half.
  • Wrap tightly in 3 more layers of foil. Transfer to a Dutch oven and roast in the preheated oven until meat is falling off the bone and very, very tender, about 9 hours.
  • Remove bones and pull/shred meat before serving. All or some of the rendered fat can be mixed into the meat.
  • Nutrition

    775 cal.

    • Total Fat: 56g
    • Saturated Fat: 20g
    • Cholesterol: 229mg
    • Sodium: 1625mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 4g
    • Dietary Fiber: 0g
    • Protein: 61g
    • Potassium: 1000mg