Knoxville's hickory-smoked pulled pork sandwich, the East Tennessee tradition that runs sweet rather than vinegar-forward and arrives on a soft white bun.

Buddy's Bar-B-Q opened at 5806 Kingston Pike in 1972 and codified East Tennessee whole-hog barbecue into a region-wide chain with hickory smoke and a thin sweet tomato sauce. Sweet P's BBQ added a soul-food angle to the East TN tradition in 2009 with the riverfront location on Maryville Pike. Dead End BBQ in Bearden brought the competition-team approach to a Sutherland Avenue dining room with multiple regional trophy wins on the KCBS circuit.

Where to eat East Tennessee Pulled Pork in Knoxville

4 editor picks for East Tennessee Pulled Pork in Knoxville, ranked by editorial score. All Knoxville signature dishes · East Tennessee Pulled Pork across every city.

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Make it at home

Serves 812 hrIntermediate

Ingredients

  • 1 bone-in pork shoulder, 5 to 6 pounds
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • Hickory chunks for smoking
  • Soft white burger buns
  • Vinegar coleslaw for serving

Method

  1. Combine salt, brown sugar, pepper, paprika, garlic and onion powders. Rub all over the pork shoulder.
  2. Wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  3. Heat a smoker or kettle grill to 225 F with hickory chunks for smoke.
  4. Place the shoulder fat-side up over indirect heat. Smoke until the bark sets, about 6 hours.
  5. Wrap in butcher paper or foil and continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer reads 200 F, another 4 to 5 hours.
  6. Rest the shoulder wrapped for at least 1 hour. The internal temperature will hold for several hours in a cooler.
  7. Pull the meat apart with two forks, discarding excess fat. Mound onto white buns and top with vinegar slaw.

Editor tip. East Tennessee tradition runs sweeter than vinegar-forward Western Carolina. Mop with apple juice during the long cook to keep the bark soft.

Common allergens: Gluten, Pork.