Pumpkin Spice Pulled Pork with Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce
On September 20, 2023 (Updated October 02, 2023)
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Pumpkin Spice Pulled Pork is a festive and fun way to enjoy pulled pork. When everyone around you is into pumpkin spice EVERYTHING, wow them with this savory and slightly sweet BBQ take on a fall must-have.
Pumpkin Spice Pulled Pork
Yeah, you heard me. Pumpkin. Spice. Pulled. Pork. I mean, ’tis the season for pumpkin spice, so why not put it on some good ol’ BBQ? The flavor on this pulled pork is unique – I’m not gonna lie – but it’s also totally delicious and keeps you coming back for more. You get this traditional smoky, pork flavor from the smoked pulled pork, and your mind reads “BBQ.” Then you catch these warm flavors from the cinnamon and nutmeg, and you’re suddenly in pumpkin spice heaven.
Pumpkin spice pulled pork came to existence at a Hey Grill Hey team meeting as we were brainstorming content for future months. My husband, Todd, made a joke similar to, “We need to do some sort of pumpkin spice BBQ because pumpkin spice is everywhere in September and October.” We all had a good laugh, because pumpkin spice on BBQ? Yeah right!
Pumpkin Pie Spice on Pulled Pork
The more I thought about it, the more I began to think of how the cinnamon, cloves and ginger in the pumpkin pie spice would actually play well into a savory application. I mean, it could honestly, truly taste amazing. So what would this pumpkin spice taste best on? Obviously, pulled pork is the ideal carrier of this tasty spice. With the right combination of ingredients, we could be in for a pretty amazing meat treat.
I’m honestly not a big fan of pumpkin spice-flavored drinks and food. It all tastes so artificial to me. But by smoking some pork shoulder and finding a way to add in the pumpkin spice without overwhelming it, I knew I had discovered a new, kinda crazy, but totally delicious twist on BBQ.
From this moment forward, pumpkin spice pulled pork was born!
Pumpkin Spice Dry Rub
When I set out to create an amazing pumpkin spice pulled pork, I knew I needed a few key elements to truly pull it off. The first key element to this pork is in the rub. By adding 4 basic spices (plus brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice, of course), this pulled pork becomes infused with tons of flavor that work with the pumpkin spice instead of allowing it to take over the entire flavor profile.
Another key step to making this pork sing is by wrapping it in Peach Butcher Paper. By wrapping the meat in butcher paper during the smoking process, this pork develops a beautiful flavor and gorgeous dark bark. And that coveted bark and juicy flavor are must-haves when smoking pork shoulder.
Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce
Once this pumpkin spice pulled pork is seasoned and smoked to perfection, it’s downright delicious on it’s own, what with that nice bark and tasty rub. But it wouldn’t be complete without the ultimate BBQ sauce. And we’re not stopping at any ordinary BBQ sauce, no sir! We’re going all-in on this recipe with a pumpkin spice BBQ sauce.
Much like the pork shoulder itself, the BBQ sauce is infused with pumpkin spice seasoning, and it’s both sweet and savory. The sauce finishes the whole experience with a final punch of that pumpkin spice flavor that you all came here for. After all, if you’re making some pumpkin spice pulled pork, you better taste it from start to finish, right? We don’t mess around here at Hey Grill Hey. When we go pumpkin spice, we go BIG and put it in everything!
More Pulled Pork Recipes
So maybe you’re not 100% into this particular flavor of pulled pork. I understand. It’s quite the adventurous smoke, after all. But no worries! I have a handful of other pulled pork recipes to make until you’re ready to jump into this spice-infused adventure.
Cider Brined Pulled Pork
Carolina Pulled Pork
Simple Smoked Pulled Pork
Pumpkin Spice Pulled Pork Recipe
Watch the video in the recipe card and I’ll show you step-by-step how I make this amazing meat at home. I’m all about helping you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a backyard BBQ hero. You can check out more of my smoking and grilling recipe videos on YouTube, Instagram, or our Facebook Page.
Sweet Rub
$12.99
Everything BBQ Sauce
$8.99
Pumpkin Spice Pulled Pork
Video
Ingredients
- 1 8-10 pound pork shoulder, bone-in
Pumpkin Spice Rub
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Pumpkin Spice BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine all of the ingredients for the pumpkin spice BBQ sauce over medium heat. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for 20-25 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, let the sauce slightly cool, and transfer to a lidded jar. Refrigerate the sauce while you prepare your pulled pork. The flavors will combine and mellow together overnight.
- Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the Pumpkin Pie Spice Rub.
- Sprinkle the rub on all sides of the pork shoulder and use the palm of your hand to press the seasoning into the meat.
- Place the shoulder on the smoker, close the lid, and smoke for 8-10 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F and the color on the exterior of the pork is turning a nice mahogany color.
- Tear off two large pieces of peach butcher paper (or foil) and lay them so they overlap on a large work surface. Set the pork shoulder towards the end of the paper on top of the seam and wrap, folding over the ends of the paper and rolling tightly.
- Return the wrapped shoulder to the smoker and cook until the internal temperature of the roast reaches 200-203 degrees F and the thermometer probe slides into the meat like softened butter.
- Remove the pork shoulder from the smoker and allow it to rest for 1 hour.
- Shred the pork, discarding any gristle or excess fat. Serve the pulled pork on buns with the pumpkin spice BBQ sauce.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Post was originally published in 2019. It has since been update with more information and
Thank you!!
Hi, Your pumpkin spice pulled pork recipe looks so good. Can I cook this pumpkin spice pulled pork in the crockpot instead of the grill?
You definitely can. I would do follow the instructions in the recipe card, but keep your crockpot on low the entire time. I know it will cook faster and not have the smoky flavor. I’m not certain on cooking time AT ALL, but I’d guess in the 8-10 hour range. Make sure to check the internal temperature of your pork regularly.
Taste great, but the sauce is so thick it’s barely edible.
I made this for a tailgate part and everyone loved it! Now I’m making a couple for a pot luck for two of my classes! I’m about to throw them on my smoker!! I can’t even tell you how excited I am!
I made this for my kids family birthday dinner and OMG it was fabulous! Everyone was skeptical but loved it!
I tried a pumpkin spice bbq pulled pork recipe a few years back and it was amazing. I didn’t use maple syrup though… I’ll have to try it for tomorrow’s turkey day feast. (also, i slow roast the pork with some Pumpkin Beer too =] )
That was one of the best pulled pork meals I have done. The flavor of the meat was fabulous. I already have my family asking for it again. The sauce definitely compliments the flavors in the meat. I did make some coleslaw to put in the sandwich too. It was so good!
Keep it up. Love your dishes.
Thanks
Stuart
For the pumpkin spice pork shoulder recipe, what flavor wood chips do you use?