Description
Flaky puff pastry filled with tender, smoky pulled pork and tangy BBQ sauce. Perfect appetizer or snack!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 lb Pork Shoulder (Boston Butt), bone-in or boneless
- 2 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 tbsp Yellow Mustard
- 2 sheets Frozen Puff Pastry, thawed
- 1 large Egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp Water (for egg wash)
- 2 tbsp Butter, melted
- 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Ketchup
- 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tbsp Yellow Mustard
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Onion Powder
- Pinch of Cayenne Pepper (optional)
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Pickled Jalapeños, sliced
- Coleslaw
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Generously rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder.
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until browned.
- Place the seared (or unseared) pork shoulder in a slow cooker or back into the Dutch oven. Pour in the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and yellow mustard.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours, until fork-tender.
- Cover and cook in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 3-4 hours, until fork-tender. Check liquid level and add more broth if needed.
- Let the cooked pork rest for 15-20 minutes. Use two forks to shred the pork. Discard fat/bone.
- Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve.
- Add a little of the strained cooking liquid back to the shredded pork.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Let cool slightly before using. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lightly flour a work surface. Unfold one sheet of puff pastry.
- Cut the puff pastry into squares or rectangles (approx. 4-inch).
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter and flour until it forms a paste.
- In a bowl, mix the shredded pulled pork with your prepared BBQ sauce.
- Place a spoonful of the BBQ pulled pork mixture in the center of each puff pastry square.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese or sliced pickled jalapeños, if desired.
- Fold the puff pastry square in half diagonally to form a triangle. Press the edges firmly together to seal. Crimp with a fork.
- Whisk together the beaten egg and water. Brush the tops of the pastries with the egg wash.
- Place pastries on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown and puffed up.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with coleslaw or extra BBQ sauce, if desired.
Notes
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the pork rub and BBQ sauce to control the spice level.
- Cheese: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or smoked gouda.
- Vegetables: Add some diced onions, bell peppers, or jalapeños to the pulled pork mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- Pastry Shapes: Get creative with the pastry shapes! Try making empanadas, hand pies, or even a large braided pastry.
- Make Ahead: The pulled pork and BBQ sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble and bake the pastries just before serving.
- Freezing: Assembled, unbaked pastries can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Smoker Option: For an even smokier flavor, smoke the pork shoulder in a smoker
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes