Ingredients

  • 1 4-lb. shoulder pork roast
  • 24 small dinner rolls
  • Spice rub:
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Sauce mix:
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 1 6-oz. can tomato paste
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried mustard
  • 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Pickled onion:
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced

Method

  • Remove skin and excess fat from pork. Make spice rub: Combine all ingredients and rub all over meat. Place pork on a large plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
  • Make sauce: Combine all ingredients in slow cooker, place pork on top and cook on high for 5 1/2 hours, until meat is tender and can be shredded easily with a fork.
  • Make pickled onion: Stir sugar and salt into vinegar until dissolved; stir in onion. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove pork from slow cooker. Remove 2 cups of sauce. Shred meat. Stir pork back into slow cooker, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
  • To serve, split rolls, top with meat and pickled onion. Serve, passing reserved sauce separately.