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National Pulled Pork Day

Celebrate National Pulled Pork Day with a delicious sandwich - slow-cooked with your favorite BBQ sauce, it's sure to be a hit!
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When it is?
October 12
Location Icon
Country
United States
Introduction

Get your forks ready to dig into some delicious pulled pork on National Pulled Pork Day, Oct. 12! Pulled pork has been a staple of American cuisine for centuries, and today it's enjoyed in restaurants and homes all over the country. It's made by slow-cooking a cut of meat (usually shoulder or butt) until it becomes tender enough to be "pulled" apart with two forks. This unique cooking method gives pulled pork its distinct flavor that pairs perfectly with a variety of sides like coleslaw or potato salad.

History of National Pulled Pork Day

National Pulled Pork Day Dates

National Pulled Pork Day Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1500s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Indigenous Barbecue Traditions</div><div class='timeline-text'>Native American tribes, specifically the Taino people in the Caribbean, used a slow-cooking method over a wood flame, later inspiring the concept of barbecue.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1600s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Introduction to the Colonies</div><div class='timeline-text'>English settlers in America observed Indigenous people's techniques of slow-cooking meat over wood smoke and brought the concept to the Southern Colonies.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Southern BBQ Tradition</div><div class='timeline-text'>By the 1800s, barbecue style cooking, including slow-cooked pork developed as a prominent food culture in Southern United States.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Commercial BBQ Sauce</div><div class='timeline-text'>The 1950s saw an increase in commercially made barbecue sauces, which became an essential component in the flavoring of pulled pork.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Pulled Pork Goes National</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the advent of national food chains, pulled pork began appearing on menus across United States, further facilitating its popularity nationwide.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Pulled Pork Day Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>In 2011, the holiday of National Pulled Pork Day was established to be celebrated on October 12, acknowledging this beloved American food tradition.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate National Pulled Pork Day

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make your own pulled pork</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Making your own pulled pork is easier than you think. All you need is a pork shoulder, spices, and a slow cooker. Rub the spices onto the pork shoulder and place in the slow cooker. Cook for 8 hours on low heat and you'll have delicious pulled pork ready to be enjoyed.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Have a pulled pork barbeque</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends over for a delicious pulled pork barbeque. Provide all the fixings, like buns, coleslaw, barbecue sauce, and chips. Let everyone make their own pulled pork sandwich. Enjoy with an ice cold beer or soda.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Try out different sauces</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Experiment with different flavors by trying out different sauces on your pulled pork. There are so many options like honey garlic, barbecue, or teriyaki. Find one that pleases your taste buds.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go to a restaurant</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Search for restaurants that serve pulled pork near you and treat yourself to a special meal on National Pulled Pork Day. You can even try something new like a pulled pork pizza or tacos.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Throw a party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family together and throw a National Pulled Pork Day celebration. Offer up some delicious pulled pork sandwiches, sides and desserts for everyone to enjoy.</p></div></div>

Why We Love National Pulled Pork Day

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Pulled pork is delicious</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Pulled pork has an amazing flavor that can't be beat. It's savory, smoky, and full of flavor. Plus, it pairs perfectly with almost any side dish - from macaroni and cheese to coleslaw and potato salad.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Pulled pork is versatile</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Pulled pork makes the perfect main course for any meal. You can serve it on a bun as a sandwich or on its own with sides. And you can even make tacos or quesadillas out of it! The possibilities are endless!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Pulled pork supports local farms & businesses</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>When you purchase your pulled pork from local farms and butchers, you are supporting small businesses in your area. Plus, you know you're getting top quality ingredients that have been raised responsibly and ethically by people who really care about their animals' welfare!</p></div></div>

5 Unexpected Facts for Pulled Pork Day

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Pulled Pork Is an International Dish</h3><p class='facts-content'>While primarily associated with Southern United States, variations of pulled pork can be found in different cuisines around the globe like Tinga in Mexico and Char Siu in China.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Pulled Pork Has a Scientific Secret</h3><p class='facts-content'>The tenderness of the final product is due to the breakdown of collagen, a long-chain amino acid, in the low and slow cooking process which gradually turns into a rich gelatin.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Folklore Associates Pigs with Good Luck</h3><p class='facts-content'>In many cultures worldwide, pigs symbolize prosperity and good luck. So enjoying pulled pork might invite some good fortune!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Different Regions Have Different Pulled Pork Styles</h3><p class='facts-content'>Within the US, different regions have distinct styles of pulled pork, often distinguished by the sauce. Notably, Carolina style uses a vinegar-based sauce, while Kansas City style prefers tomato and molasses-based sauce.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Pulled Pork is a Sustainable Choice</h3><p class='facts-content'>Compared to other meats, pork has a lower carbon footprint, and by utilizing the shoulder cut, which may otherwise be wasted, pulled pork is a more sustainable meat choice.</p></div></div>

National Pulled Pork Day FAQs

When is National Pulled Pork Day?

National Pulled Pork Day is celebrated on October 12th every year. In 2024 National Pulled Pork Day will occur on a Saturday.

National Pulled Pork Day Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

Oct 12

Thursday

2024

Oct 12

Saturday

2025

Oct 12

Sunday

2026

Oct 12

Monday

2027

Oct 12

Tuesday

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