October 12

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!

Yearly Date

October 12

Observed in

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.

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National Pulled Pork Day Timeline

1500s

Indigenous Barbecue Traditions

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.

1600s

Introduction to the Colonies

English settlers in America observed Indigenous people's techniques of slow-cooking meat over wood smoke and brought the concept to the Southern Colonies.

1800s

Southern BBQ Tradition

By the 1800s, barbecue style cooking, including slow-cooked pork developed as a prominent food culture in Southern United States.

1950s

Commercial BBQ Sauce

The 1950s saw an increase in commercially made barbecue sauces, which became an essential component in the flavoring of pulled pork.

1990s

Pulled Pork Goes National

With the advent of national food chains, pulled pork began appearing on menus across United States, further facilitating its popularity nationwide.

2011

National Pulled Pork Day Established

In 2011, the holiday of National Pulled Pork Day was established to be celebrated on October 12, acknowledging this beloved American food tradition.

How to Celebrate National Pulled Pork Day

1 Make your own pulled pork

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.

2 Have a pulled pork barbeque

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.

3 Try out different sauces

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.

4 Go to a restaurant

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.

5 Throw a party

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.

Why We Love National Pulled Pork Day

Pulled pork is delicious

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.

Pulled pork is versatile

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!

Pulled pork supports local farms & businesses

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!