Perfect BBQ Cherry Cola Pulled Pork Recipe! Over The Top Delicious!

pork shoulder

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: pork butt

Chicken thighs are lower in fat and pork butt is often less expensive.

cherry cola

🥗Healthier: diet cherry soda

💰Cheaper: generic cola

Diet soda reduces sugar while generic cola can save costs.

barbecue sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade sauce

💰Cheaper: ketchup + spices

Homemade sauce can be healthier and ketchup is often cheaper.

brown sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: white sugar

Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index, while white sugar is less expensive.

Inject the pork shoulder with 1 cup of cherry cola using a metal injector.

Season the injected pork shoulder with sweet rub seasoning.

Preheat the smoker to 225°F.

Place the pork shoulder in the smoker and close the lid, cooking for about 8 hours.

Spritz the pork every hour with cherry cola during the first 8 hours of cooking.

After 8 hours, check the internal temperature of the pork, aiming for 160-170°F.

Transfer the pork to an aluminum pan and pour over another cup of cherry cola.

Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and return it to the smoker, cooking until the internal temperature reaches 200-205°F, which should take an additional 3-4 hours.

Let the pork rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before shredding.

Prepare the Cherry Cola barbecue sauce by combining ketchup, cherry cola, pitted sweet cherries, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, molasses, and sweet rub seasoning in a pan.

Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.

Remove the sauce from heat, let it cool for 5 minutes, then blend until smooth.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: