Best Sauce for Pulled Pork

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RickNessly

Fire Starter
Original poster
Dec 8, 2017
59
78
Minnesota
So...not sure if this should go in pork or sauce, but...to me, pulled pork is one of the only meats I use sauce on.

I'm making PP for a guys weekend (it's basically the gift that keeps on giving all weekend) and was thinking about sauces. I've tried a number of different white (Alabama) and yellow sauces over the last few years. I know it's personal preference, but when I've tried the "highest rated" ones, they are okay, but not for me. I've settled on Lillie Q's from Chicago for both white and mustard based.

I was looking for recommendations from everyone here on new sauces to try...mainly white and mustard based.
 
SoFlaQuer sauce, or put your pork butt on a rack in a disposable pan. When pork is set to rest, put its own seasoned drippings in fridge to separate fat and use the remaining juice to mix in.
 
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Good PP needs no sauce so it's time to learn injecting. Mine is based on Mixon's.
 
Anyone of them from chef jimmy J is amazing! Do a search I’m telling you won’t be disappointed. There’s several and you can pick one to your liking. Here’s a few I made last weekend for a smoke I did. Two of them are straight from him.
upload_2019-2-14_22-58-0.jpeg
 
You may like one or more of these...This first one is very popular. The Honey Dijon is a nice twist on Mustard Sauce. My Yellow Mustard and White Sauces are here too...JJ

Tangy Pulled Pork Finishing Sauce

This is more of an Eastern North Carolina style Finishing Sauce...

2 C Apple Cider Vinegar

2T Worcestershire Sauce or more to taste

1/4C Brown Sugar

1T Smoked Paprika

2 tsp Granulated Garlic

2 tsp Granulated Onion

2 tsp Fine Grind Black Pepper

1 tsp Celery Salt

1 tsp Cayenne Pepper or Red Pepper Flake. Add more if you like Heat.

1/2 tsp Grnd Allspice

Combine all and whisk well. This is a thin sauce, bring just to a simmer and remove from heat. Adjust sweetness by adding Brn Sugar or additional Vinegar as desired...Makes about 2 Cups.

For a Lexington Style Dip add, 1/2C Ketchup and 1-3tsp Red Pepper Flakes...JJ

POP Sauce

2C Cola

1/2C Apple Cider Vinegar

2T Rub, whatever's on the meat.

1T Mustard

1T Molasses

1T Colgin Hickory Liquid Smoke (optional)

Add all to a pot and bring to a simmer, for 5 minutes.

For Finishing Sauce, keep warm and add to meat.

For Marinade, cool for 30 minutes the refrigerate until cold.

Marinate meat overnight.

For Glaze, reduce over low heat until syrupy. Brush over grilling meat and caramelize.

Enough for one average butt.4

Cream Soda and Bourbon Sauce

1/2C Dark Brown Sugar
1C Cream Soda*
1/3C Ketchup
1/3C Bourbon
1/4C Balsamic Vinegar
2Tbs Soy Sauce
1Tbs Mustard of choice
1Tbs Your Rub
1Tbs Sriracha or Canned Chipotle Adobo Sauce
S & P to taste
* Cola or Ginger Ale would be great too!

Combine all in a sauce pan. Heat over medium heat to a simmer. After 5 minutes, the sauce can be cooled for Injection. For a Glaze or Sauce, continue to simmer, stirring often, until Syrupy. Cool and refrigerate the remaining sauce.

KC Bubba Q Juice

2C Ketchup

1/2C Brown Mustard (Gulden's)

1/4C Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2C Molasses

2C Dark Brn Sugar

1T Tomato Paste

1T Your Rub

1-2tsp Liquid Smoke

1tsp Worcestershire Sauce

Combine all and warm over low heat just until it starts to bubble. Simmer about 5 minutes, stirring very frequently, to combine flavors and to thicken slightly.

Use or pour into a sterile jar and refrigerate for up to 4 weeks.

Makes 3 1/2 Cups.

Honey Dijon Bubba Q Sauce.

1C Dijon Mustard

1C Honey

1/2C Yellow Mustard

1/2C Ketchup

1/2C Cider Vinegar

1/2C Molasses

1/2C Brown Sugar

1T Worcestershire

1T Paprika

1 tsp Granulated Garlic

1 tsp Granulated Onion

1 tsp Cayenne

1 tsp Black Pepper

1/2 tsp Oregano

1/2 tsp Thyme

1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

1/4 tsp Allspice

1/4 tsp Cumin

Mix, simmer 5 minutes and cool.

Makes about 4 Cups.

Yellow Bubba Q Juice / South Carolina Style

2C Yellow Mustard

1C Cider Vinegar

1/2-1C Brown Sugar

1-2T Sriracha or other Hot Sauce

1tsp Blk Pepper

1tsp Gran. Garlic

1tsp Gran. Onion

1/2tsp Salt

1T Worcstershire

Cayenne Pepper to taste

Combine all and simmer to combine flavors. Reduce to desired thickness.

Makes 3 Cups.

Red Bubba Q Juice / Lexington NC Style

2C Cider Vinegar

1C Ketchup

1/4C Texas Pete or other Hot Sauce

1/2C Brown Sugar

1tsp Gran. Garlic

1tsp Gran, Onion

1tsp Blk Pepper

1tsp Salt

1T Worcestershire Sauce

Cayenne to Taste

Combine all and simmer 5 minutes to combine flavors.

Makes 3 Cups

Give this a shot...JJ

St. Louis Bubba Q Juice

1 1/2C Ketchup

1C Cider Vinegar

1/2C Water

1/4C Tomato Paste

1/4C Diced Roasted Red Pepper from a Jar (1-2 each)

1/4C Texas Pete or other Hot Sauce

1/2C Brown Sugar

2T Yellow Mustard

1tsp Gran. Garlic

1tsp Gran, Onion

1tsp Blk Pepper

1tsp Salt

1T Worcestershire Sauce

Cayenne to Taste

Combine all and simmer 10 minutes to combine flavors. Adjust sweetness or heat to your taste. Let cool and Puree.

Makes about 3 Cups.

White Bubba Q Juice /Alabama Style

3C Mayonnaise, Hellman's (Hey I'm a Jersey Boy!)

1C Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4C Honey or 3T White Sugar

1T Horseradish, prepared

1tsp Celery Seed, ground

1tsp Salt

1tsp Black Pepper

1tsp Onion Powder

1/2tsp Garlic Powder

1/2-1tsp Cayenne Pepper

Dash of Worcestershire Sauce

Whisk all ingredients together until well combined. Taste and adjust Sweet, Sour, Salt and Heat to your taste. Refrigerate at least two hours for flavors to meld. Divide, with half to be brushed on the meat during the last half hour of the cook and the remaining half to be used as a Dip at the table.

Makes about 4 1/2 Cups Sauce. NOTE: This makes a great Dressing for Cole Slaw as well...J

BLUEBERRY BUBBA Q JUICE

My kids love this made with STRAWBERRIES!


1 Quart Ripe Blueberries

2 Each Shallots, Peeled and Sliced

1 Large Clove Garlic, Peeled and Sliced

1 TBS Butter

1 CUP Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 CUP Water

1/2-1 CUP Packed Brown Sugar

1 TBS Molasses

1 TBS Dijon Mustard

6 oz Heinz Chili Sauce or Ketchup

6 Each Large Basil Leaves, torn

Wash blueberries, set aside.

Melt the butter in a large sauce pan. Add the shallots and garlic, saute until soft but not browned.

Add the blueberries, vinegar and water to the sauce pan. Bring the berries to a boil, reduce heat and simmer the berries until soft.

Add the remaining ingredients stirring until well combined, simmer for 5 minutes.

Add the sauce to a food processor and puree until smooth. Return the sauce to the sauce pan. Simmer until desired thickness, adjust seasoning

with salt, pepper. Add additional sugar, vinegar or hot sauce to taste. Cool and store in refrigerator for up to one month.

Yield: approximately 1 quart.

Korean Bubba Q Juice

1/4C Gochujang, Korean Red Pepper Paste**

1/4C Soy Sauce or Fish Sauce

1/4C Honey

2T Mirin, Sweet Rice Wine

2T Rice or White Vinegar or as needed

1T Toasted Sesame Oil

1T Garlic, minced fine.

1tsp Grated Fresh Ginger

1T Peanut Butter (optional)*

Water as needed

Combine Gochujang, Soy Sauce, Honey, Mirin and Rice Vinegar.

Whisk until combined and set aside.

Add the Sesame Oil to a sauce pan and heat over medium heat.

Add the Garlic and Ginger and saute briefly until fragrant.

Add the sauce ingredients to the pan and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently.

Simmer to desired thickness adding Water as needed.

Taste and adjust adding more Vinegar or Honey to taste.

Makes about 1 Cup Sauce.

*Note: If using Peanut Butter, thin with water or Mirin until pourable then combine with the first group of ingredients. Some recipes add Ketchup but it is not traditional.

**Gochujang can be pretty spicy. You may try 1-2T to start then add to taste.

Zesty Apricot Glaze n' Sauce

1T Veg Oil

1/3C Ketchup

1/4C Fine Diced Onion

1/4C Red Wine Vinegar

1/4C Honey

1T Soy Sauce

1tsp Grated Fresh Ginger

1tsp Worcestershire Sauce

1tsp Molasses

1tsp Smoked Paprika or regular

1/2tsp Dry Mustard mix in 1tsp Water, set aside.

1/2tsp Celery Salt

1/2tsp Black or White Pepper

1/4tsp Cayenne or Chipotle

1ea Clove Garlic, minced

12oz Apricot or Peach Preserves*

Optional:1 pinch to 1/8tsp Chinese 5 Spice, Cinnamon, Clove, Allspice, Garam Masala or Curry Powder

Place a small pan over low heat and add the 1T Oil.

Add the Onions, Ginger and Garlic. Sweat just until tender and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Combine all but the Preserves in a Food Processor.

Puree until just combined.

Add the Preserves to the Processor and Pulse to combine.

Place all back in the pan you used to sweat the veg and gently simmer to reduce to desired thickness.

Adjust Sweetness and Seasoning, adding Sugar/Vinegar, Salt and Pepper or Cayenne to your Taste.

Makes about 2 1/2 Cups. Store in Refrigerator..

Note*...Just about any Fruit Preserves would work. Pineapple, Peach/Mango, Orange Marmalade, or mix 'em up....JJ
 
Thanks all!...I've got some testing to do!

I should add...my favorite sauce is from "The Piggy BBQ" in Walker MN. It's a NC vinegary sauce (not runny pickin' sauce...it's still tomato based). It's a great all around sauce...not thick and not sweet...great flavor.
https://www.thepiggybbqofwalker.com/about

They were actually written up in the NY Times...the BBQ is ok, but the sauce is my families favorite and we've tried tons of different sauces from all over. I think the owner was originally from somewhere down south.

I've injected before and it's great, but I like the idea of each person being able to choose what they want...slaw, mustard, etc.

I finished the butt/shoulders last night and it's in the fridge ready for the weekend...I'll have to get some slaw.

My next stage is to start making my own sauce, so it looks like I've got some good starting places...thanks all!
 
You may like one or more of these...This first one is very popular. The Honey Dijon is a nice twist on Mustard Sauce. My Yellow Mustard and White Sauces are here too...JJ

Tangy Pulled Pork Finishing Sauce

This is more of an Eastern North Carolina style Finishing Sauce...

2 C Apple Cider Vinegar

2T Worcestershire Sauce or more to taste

1/4C Brown Sugar

1T Smoked Paprika

2 tsp Granulated Garlic

2 tsp Granulated Onion

2 tsp Fine Grind Black Pepper

1 tsp Celery Salt

1 tsp Cayenne Pepper or Red Pepper Flake. Add more if you like Heat.

1/2 tsp Grnd Allspice

Combine all and whisk well. This is a thin sauce, bring just to a simmer and remove from heat. Adjust sweetness by adding Brn Sugar or additional Vinegar as desired...Makes about 2 Cups.

For a Lexington Style Dip add, 1/2C Ketchup and 1-3tsp Red Pepper Flakes...JJ

POP Sauce

2C Cola

1/2C Apple Cider Vinegar

2T Rub, whatever's on the meat.

1T Mustard

1T Molasses

1T Colgin Hickory Liquid Smoke (optional)

Add all to a pot and bring to a simmer, for 5 minutes.

For Finishing Sauce, keep warm and add to meat.

For Marinade, cool for 30 minutes the refrigerate until cold.

Marinate meat overnight.

For Glaze, reduce over low heat until syrupy. Brush over grilling meat and caramelize.

Enough for one average butt.4

Cream Soda and Bourbon Sauce

1/2C Dark Brown Sugar
1C Cream Soda*
1/3C Ketchup
1/3C Bourbon
1/4C Balsamic Vinegar
2Tbs Soy Sauce
1Tbs Mustard of choice
1Tbs Your Rub
1Tbs Sriracha or Canned Chipotle Adobo Sauce
S & P to taste
* Cola or Ginger Ale would be great too!

Combine all in a sauce pan. Heat over medium heat to a simmer. After 5 minutes, the sauce can be cooled for Injection. For a Glaze or Sauce, continue to simmer, stirring often, until Syrupy. Cool and refrigerate the remaining sauce.

KC Bubba Q Juice

2C Ketchup

1/2C Brown Mustard (Gulden's)

1/4C Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2C Molasses

2C Dark Brn Sugar

1T Tomato Paste

1T Your Rub

1-2tsp Liquid Smoke

1tsp Worcestershire Sauce

Combine all and warm over low heat just until it starts to bubble. Simmer about 5 minutes, stirring very frequently, to combine flavors and to thicken slightly.

Use or pour into a sterile jar and refrigerate for up to 4 weeks.

Makes 3 1/2 Cups.

Honey Dijon Bubba Q Sauce.

1C Dijon Mustard

1C Honey

1/2C Yellow Mustard

1/2C Ketchup

1/2C Cider Vinegar

1/2C Molasses

1/2C Brown Sugar

1T Worcestershire

1T Paprika

1 tsp Granulated Garlic

1 tsp Granulated Onion

1 tsp Cayenne

1 tsp Black Pepper

1/2 tsp Oregano

1/2 tsp Thyme

1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

1/4 tsp Allspice

1/4 tsp Cumin

Mix, simmer 5 minutes and cool.

Makes about 4 Cups.

Yellow Bubba Q Juice / South Carolina Style

2C Yellow Mustard

1C Cider Vinegar

1/2-1C Brown Sugar

1-2T Sriracha or other Hot Sauce

1tsp Blk Pepper

1tsp Gran. Garlic

1tsp Gran. Onion

1/2tsp Salt

1T Worcstershire

Cayenne Pepper to taste

Combine all and simmer to combine flavors. Reduce to desired thickness.

Makes 3 Cups.

Red Bubba Q Juice / Lexington NC Style

2C Cider Vinegar

1C Ketchup

1/4C Texas Pete or other Hot Sauce

1/2C Brown Sugar

1tsp Gran. Garlic

1tsp Gran, Onion

1tsp Blk Pepper

1tsp Salt

1T Worcestershire Sauce

Cayenne to Taste

Combine all and simmer 5 minutes to combine flavors.

Makes 3 Cups

Give this a shot...JJ

St. Louis Bubba Q Juice

1 1/2C Ketchup

1C Cider Vinegar

1/2C Water

1/4C Tomato Paste

1/4C Diced Roasted Red Pepper from a Jar (1-2 each)

1/4C Texas Pete or other Hot Sauce

1/2C Brown Sugar

2T Yellow Mustard

1tsp Gran. Garlic

1tsp Gran, Onion

1tsp Blk Pepper

1tsp Salt

1T Worcestershire Sauce

Cayenne to Taste

Combine all and simmer 10 minutes to combine flavors. Adjust sweetness or heat to your taste. Let cool and Puree.

Makes about 3 Cups.

White Bubba Q Juice /Alabama Style

3C Mayonnaise, Hellman's (Hey I'm a Jersey Boy!)

1C Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4C Honey or 3T White Sugar

1T Horseradish, prepared

1tsp Celery Seed, ground

1tsp Salt

1tsp Black Pepper

1tsp Onion Powder

1/2tsp Garlic Powder

1/2-1tsp Cayenne Pepper

Dash of Worcestershire Sauce

Whisk all ingredients together until well combined. Taste and adjust Sweet, Sour, Salt and Heat to your taste. Refrigerate at least two hours for flavors to meld. Divide, with half to be brushed on the meat during the last half hour of the cook and the remaining half to be used as a Dip at the table.

Makes about 4 1/2 Cups Sauce. NOTE: This makes a great Dressing for Cole Slaw as well...J

BLUEBERRY BUBBA Q JUICE

My kids love this made with STRAWBERRIES!


1 Quart Ripe Blueberries

2 Each Shallots, Peeled and Sliced

1 Large Clove Garlic, Peeled and Sliced

1 TBS Butter

1 CUP Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 CUP Water

1/2-1 CUP Packed Brown Sugar

1 TBS Molasses

1 TBS Dijon Mustard

6 oz Heinz Chili Sauce or Ketchup

6 Each Large Basil Leaves, torn

Wash blueberries, set aside.

Melt the butter in a large sauce pan. Add the shallots and garlic, saute until soft but not browned.

Add the blueberries, vinegar and water to the sauce pan. Bring the berries to a boil, reduce heat and simmer the berries until soft.

Add the remaining ingredients stirring until well combined, simmer for 5 minutes.

Add the sauce to a food processor and puree until smooth. Return the sauce to the sauce pan. Simmer until desired thickness, adjust seasoning

with salt, pepper. Add additional sugar, vinegar or hot sauce to taste. Cool and store in refrigerator for up to one month.

Yield: approximately 1 quart.

Korean Bubba Q Juice

1/4C Gochujang, Korean Red Pepper Paste**

1/4C Soy Sauce or Fish Sauce

1/4C Honey

2T Mirin, Sweet Rice Wine

2T Rice or White Vinegar or as needed

1T Toasted Sesame Oil

1T Garlic, minced fine.

1tsp Grated Fresh Ginger

1T Peanut Butter (optional)*

Water as needed

Combine Gochujang, Soy Sauce, Honey, Mirin and Rice Vinegar.

Whisk until combined and set aside.

Add the Sesame Oil to a sauce pan and heat over medium heat.

Add the Garlic and Ginger and saute briefly until fragrant.

Add the sauce ingredients to the pan and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently.

Simmer to desired thickness adding Water as needed.

Taste and adjust adding more Vinegar or Honey to taste.

Makes about 1 Cup Sauce.

*Note: If using Peanut Butter, thin with water or Mirin until pourable then combine with the first group of ingredients. Some recipes add Ketchup but it is not traditional.

**Gochujang can be pretty spicy. You may try 1-2T to start then add to taste.

Zesty Apricot Glaze n' Sauce

1T Veg Oil

1/3C Ketchup

1/4C Fine Diced Onion

1/4C Red Wine Vinegar

1/4C Honey

1T Soy Sauce

1tsp Grated Fresh Ginger

1tsp Worcestershire Sauce

1tsp Molasses

1tsp Smoked Paprika or regular

1/2tsp Dry Mustard mix in 1tsp Water, set aside.

1/2tsp Celery Salt

1/2tsp Black or White Pepper

1/4tsp Cayenne or Chipotle

1ea Clove Garlic, minced

12oz Apricot or Peach Preserves*

Optional:1 pinch to 1/8tsp Chinese 5 Spice, Cinnamon, Clove, Allspice, Garam Masala or Curry Powder

Place a small pan over low heat and add the 1T Oil.

Add the Onions, Ginger and Garlic. Sweat just until tender and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Combine all but the Preserves in a Food Processor.

Puree until just combined.

Add the Preserves to the Processor and Pulse to combine.

Place all back in the pan you used to sweat the veg and gently simmer to reduce to desired thickness.

Adjust Sweetness and Seasoning, adding Sugar/Vinegar, Salt and Pepper or Cayenne to your Taste.

Makes about 2 1/2 Cups. Store in Refrigerator..

Note*...Just about any Fruit Preserves would work. Pineapple, Peach/Mango, Orange Marmalade, or mix 'em up....JJ

Man I haven’t seen the cream soda bourbon sauce...that looks amazing! Gonna give it a try for sure
 
That's the way test and find what suits your taste. When is the party :emoji_wink: :emoji_laughing: (when you smoke enough butts to test all of JJ's sauces) Let us know what your favorite is.

Warren
 
The key to injecting is to do it based on weight and done properly it just enhances the meat. First time I tried plain apple juice and it blew my mind how much it improved.
 
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I should add...my favorite sauce is from "The Piggy BBQ" in Walker MN. It's a NC vinegary sauce (not runny pickin' sauce...it's still tomato based). It's a great all around sauce...not thick and not sweet...great flavor.
https://www.thepiggybbqofwalker.com/about
My wife and I have been there. I don't remember it blowing our socks off, but not terrible either. We try hitting as many BBQ joints as we can while riding in the summers.
 
Man I'm fixin' to make me a batch of that Yellow Bubba Q Juice. That's close to what I've been wanting to try. Thanks JJ for sharing those recipes.
 
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