Ok, I admit this is a cheater’s recipe. It is made in the crockpot/slow cooker and yet still called BBQ. This recipe comes via a really wonderful woman whose name I won’t list for security and personal identity reasons, this is the internet after all. She submitted this recipe in that same church cookbook from the local UU church last year: “A Taste of Time”. She has stated that she attempted to replicate North Carolina BBQ for her husband (who grew up there). I personally have made it for others who lived or grew up in the area and they have fallen in love with her recipe.

2 to 3 pound pork roast (I usually use pork shoulder)
Southern Rub (recipe below)
about 3 to 4 cups Apple Cider Vinegar (more or less depending on taste - I try to add about an inch to the bottom of my crockpot)
water, enough to cover the roast
1 tablespoon Crushed Red Pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
2 tablespoons Liquid Smoke (Usually can be found near the Worcestershire Sauce in the grocery store. Can use either Mesquite or Hickory flavored, I personally prefer Hickory)
2 tablespoons Molasses

Pour some of the rub onto a paper plate (for sanitary reasons as well as ease) and place the pork roast on top. Using the Rub coat the sides generously and completely, pressing in as you go. Pour the apple cider vinegar into the Slow Cooker to the desired amount, be careful as it can overpower the dish. Less is more in this case and error on the side of caution until you are positive of what you like. Place the roast inside and just cover it with water. Add the remaining ingredients, making adjustments for your own personal preferences, no need to stir it. Cook on high for about 8 to 12 hours or until the roast is beyond tender.
*A 3 pound shoulder roast will take me about 9 hours on high. This will depend upon your crockpot/slow cooker and how it cooks so the first time you make this, just watch it carefully.
When done remove and shred it. Mix in Sauce to taste. Or use a Kansas City style BBQ sauce. Blasphemous, I know, but the sour nature of the pork is complimented very nicely with the smoky nature of the BBQ sauce.
And for some reason the lighting was just bad in my kitchen, time of day I think. But I was hungry and couldn’t put off taking a decent picture any longer. So unfortunately this was the only decent one I could get of the completed dish.
Southern Rub
(mix together and store)
1/2 cup ground black pepper
1/2 cup turbinado brown sugar (”Sugar in the Raw” Brand name for example)
1/2 cup paprika
1/4 cup coarse sea salt
4 teaspoons dried mustard powder
2 teaspsons cayenne pepper
North Carolina BBQ Sauce
(mix together and store)
2 cups apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sea salt
1 tablespoon turbinado brown sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper