Alabama Pulled Pig Recipes

Steps:

• In a non-reactive saucepan, combine the cider vinegar, salt, brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and butter. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Mix in the water, and return to a boil. Sauce the pork before smoking, and then every hour or so while it cooks.
• Start the pork butt on a slow smoker using hardwood coals or charcoal briquettes and mesquite or apple wood chips. Smoke the pork for at least 6 hours and up to 10 hours. The longer the smoke time, the deeper the 'smoke ring', a red ring of flavor, will penetrate.
• After the meat has smoked for 6 to 10 hours, use aluminum foil to wrap the meat. Fold the edges to two sheets together to form a watertight seal. Place the meat in the center and bring the edges up to the top, cupping the meat. Pour 1 cup of the sauce over the meat and then seal the foil tightly around the roast.
• Place the meat package back on the smoker, or in a 350°F oven (175°C). If it is on the smoker, increase the heat. Cook the package until the meat pulls easily from the bone. This can be checked easily by pushing on the top of the foil package with an oven-mitted hand to test for softness. It will take up to 2 hours.
• Once the meat is done, remove it from the smoker or oven and let it cool. Pull the pork from the bone and discard the fat and gristle. Pull the meat apart in large chunks about 1-inch wide by 4-inches long.
• Place the meat chunks in a pan and pour about 1 cup of the sauce for every 4 pounds of meat, or to taste. Heat until simmering. Serve immediately or let marinate for several days. The meat can also be pulled into smaller pieces using 2 forks, this is locally known as 'shredded pork'.

Steps:

• Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.
• In a small mixing bowl combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, and black pepper. Mix until well combined and refrigerate until serving.
• Heat a large fireproof nonstick skillet on the grill. Add the bacon and cook over medium-high heat until the bacon is crispy, about 5 minutes, flipping once. Drain on paper towels. Reserve the rendered bacon fat from the skillet.
• Combine the pork, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat from the skillet. Mix well, handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the size of the rolls.
• Brush the grill rack with oil. Arrange the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once just until done, about 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare. During the last few minutes of cooking, top the burgers with equal amounts of smoked Gouda and put the rolls, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly.
• To assemble the burgers, spread a generous amount of Alabama White Barbecue Sauce on the cut sides of the rolls. On each roll bottom, put some shredded cabbage, a cheese-topped patty, and 2 slices of bacon. Cover with the roll tops and serve.