There are many ways to enjoy pork, but pulled pork is a tried and true favorite. Pulled pork can work well on sandwiches or in casserole type dishes that feature a variety of ingredients.
Just as with any pork dish, the seasonings you give the meat will work to make the dish unique. In this recipe, we use the taste of honey mustard to give it a flavor that is distinctly tangy and sweet. Read on to find out more.
Honey Mustard Pulled Pork
For this pulled pork recipe, we start by seasoning the pork with salt, pepper, and mesquite or barbecue seasoning. The pork is then added to a preheated pan with olive oil and browned on all sides.
Once the pork is browned, transfer it to the oven and bake for 3 hours at 325 degrees. This will help the pork achieve a tender consistency that makes it easy to shred.
When pork is ready, shred it with a fork and transfer the meat to a saucepan. Whisk together with 1 cup honey, 1 cup ketchup, and 1 cup liquid smoke and add it to the pork. Mix well to ensure the pork is coated with the sauce.
Set pan on medium heat and cook 3 to 5 minutes to heat through.
You can then put the pork on a thick roll to make a hearty sandwich. Turn it into a complete meal by serving it with a side like coleslaw, potatoes, mac n cheese, veggies, or a nice light salad.
Another Honey and Pork Recipe
Honey may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of way to season and flavor meat, but it actually makes a great combination with these proteins. Besides tenderizing meat, honey works to give it a sweet flavor that is a perfect complement to the savory taste and texture.
Because honey works so well with pork, it should come as no surprise that there are various recipes that use the combination of both ingredients. Here is one we recommend.
Easy Honey Garlic Pork Chops: To make this dish, season the chops with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Next, heat in a pan over medium-high heat until the chops get a sear on both sides. Remove from heat.
Reduce heat to medium and, in the same pan, melt butter while scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add honey water and vinegar. Increase heat and continue cooking until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly, stirring occasionally.
Put the pork back in the pan and baste with sauce. Broil or grill 1-2 minutes until edges are slightly charred. Garnish with parsley and serve over rice and vegetables.
There are many ways to prepare pork, but you really can’t go wrong when you add a bit of honey. It gives the meat the perfect tender texture and a taste that is sweet, savory, and delicious. How will you be preparing a honey pork dish for your family tonight?
Can You Make This Recipe With Kids?
Many parents enjoy cooking with their kids, for a multitude of reasons. For many parents, it's a great opportunity to bond with their children and make new memories with them. Plus, it's a chance to teach them valuable skills they'll need when they're adults.
If you want to make this recipe with your kids, you definitely can. We recommend having them help with any seasoning and mixing that needs to be done. These are simple steps that children of practically any age can do.
Keep the children away from the hot oil used in this recipe. Hot oil can be very dangerous, so you don't want clumsy, young feet around it. The last thing you want is to spend the night in the emergency room instead of enjoying this delicious pulled pork.
If any of your children are too young to help with this recipe, make them still feel included by allowing them to be in the kitchen while you cook. If they're able, have them help you gather ingredients or set the table. That way, they'll still be a part of things without requiring them to do anything they're incapable of doing.
PrintHoney Mustard Pulled Pork Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Description
There are many ways to prepare pork, but you really can’t go wrong when you add a bit of honey. It gives the meat the perfect tender texture and a taste that is sweet, savory, and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1– 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder or butt
- 2 tablespoons mesquite or barbecue grill seasoning (preferably salt-free)
- 1 cup honey mustard
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Heat the oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat.
- Season the pork all over with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and the seasoning.
- Add the pork to the hot pan and cook for 5 minutes, until browned on all sides, turning frequently.
- Remove the pan from the heat, cover with foil or a lid, and transfer to the oven.
- Bake for 3 hours, until the pork shreds easily when tested with a fork.
- Shred the pork using forks and transfer the meat to a large saucepan.
- Whisk together the mustard, ketchup, and liquid smoke and add to the shredded pork.
- Mix well to coat the pork with the sauce.
- Set the pan over medium heat and cook for 3 to 5 minutes to heat through.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 3 Hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Pxhere / CC0 Public Domain.