For this recipe, I used a ham hock. These are used in German cuisine a lot for slow cooking, and the combination of the bone, a fair amount of fat and skin that goes perfectly crisp, makes it great for pulled pork. You can however replace it with any cut of meat you so wish – just go for something cheap (as these are often the ones that need a lot of cooking) and not too lean. You can always ask your butcher for advice.
For food like this you have to be relaxed about the recipe. You really cannot go wrong. If you don’t have chilli flakes, use chili powder. If you have white onions in your kitchen already, use those. If you pour a bit too much or a bit too little of something in there, don’t worry. It will still taste good. This recipe is for around 1 hock, but depending on the size of your meat, you might have to do more or less of the rub and sauce, so you can easily multiply the recipe if you are cooking bigger portions. 
How to Make Pulled Pork in the Oven
- Total Time: 17 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This oven-baked pulled pork uses a ham hock for a flavorful, tender result, perfect for slow-cooking enthusiasts.
Ingredients
- 1 ham hock (or any cheap, not too lean cut of meat)
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon smoky paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes (or chili powder)
- 1/2 liter unfiltered apple juice
- 2 red onions, sliced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 200 ml BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 110°C (230°F).
- Mix the dry rub ingredients: cayenne pepper, sweet paprika, smoky paprika, and chili flakes. Use about 1 tablespoon of each spice for 1 hock, adjusting as needed for larger portions.
- Criss-cross the skin of the ham hock using a sharp knife. This will help the flavors penetrate the meat.
- Rub the spice mix all over the hock, ensuring it is well coated.
- Place the hock in a roasting pan. Pour the unfiltered apple juice around the meat.
- Add the sliced red onions and minced garlic to the pan.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the roasting pan tightly with foil and place it in the preheated oven.
- Cook for approximately 16 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
- Remove the foil and increase the oven temperature to 200°C (400°F). Cook for an additional 20-30 minutes to crisp up the skin.
- Once done, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before pulling the pork apart using two forks.
- Toss the pulled pork with BBQ sauce and serve warm.
Notes
You can substitute the ham hock with any cheap cut of meat that’s not too lean. If you don’t have chili flakes, use chili powder instead. Adjust the amount of rub and sauce based on the size of your meat. This dish is forgiving, so don’t worry about exact measurements. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 16 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 100
