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Mustard for BBQ and Pulled Pork

A whole jar of Original Sweet & Spicy on a pork butt, a good rub, and seven or eight hours of smoke.

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Mustard as a Binder

What it does, and what I use

A binder is what goes on the meat before the rub. Spread it on first and it gives the seasonings something to hold on to, so they make their way into the meat while it smokes.

I use Grandpa Spencer's Original Sweet & Spicy, and I use the whole 9oz jar on one pork butt. The rub goes right on over it. The full recipe is below, from the jar to the bun.

Pitmasters use the same binder step on ribs, brisket and chicken. The pork butt is what we make, so that's the recipe here.

Smoked Pulled Pork

The way we make it

Smoked Pulled Pork with a Mustard Binder

A whole jar of Original Sweet & Spicy as the binder, a good BBQ rub on top, and about 7 or 8 hours of smoke at 225°F.

Mustard: Original Sweet & Spicy

Prep:
30 min
Cook:
8 hr
Total:
8 hr 30 min
Serves:
12
A pulled pork sandwich on a soft bun, the shredded smoked pork glazed with BBQ sauce

What you need

  • 1 pork butt
  • 1 jar (9oz) of Grandpa Spencer's Original Sweet & Spicy Mustard
  • A good BBQ rub
  • Sea salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Any other seasonings you like
  • Your favorite BBQ sauce
  • Buns: Hawaiian rolls, slider buns, soft French bread or hoagie buns

How to make it

  1. Spread the whole jar of Original Sweet & Spicy all over the pork butt. It's the binder, and it helps the seasonings make their way in for flavor.
  2. Add the seasonings: a good BBQ rub, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder and any others you like.
  3. Set your smoker to about 225°F and let the pork butt smoke uncovered for about 7 or 8 hours. Let the smoke do its job.
  4. Once it's ready, drain the excess fat and start pulling it apart. Shred it well.
  5. Add your favorite BBQ sauce.
  6. You can serve it on buns right away. I like to put it back on the smoker first, covered or sealed in foil, for 30 minutes to an hour at about 200°F so the BBQ sauce flavors soak in.

The jar for this one

Original Sweet & Spicy

$9.00 for a 9oz jar

Buy a Jar of Original Sweet & Spicy

On the Smoker and the Grill

Which jar does which job

Original Sweet & Spicy

$9.00 for a 9oz jar

The binder. A whole jar on the pork butt before the rub, the way we do it. Creamy and sweet.

Buy a Jar of Original Sweet & Spicy

Hot & Spicy

$9.00 for a 9oz jar

Stir some into your BBQ sauce when you want heat. Hot and sweet, about the heat of a jalapeño or cayenne pepper.

Buy a Jar of Hot & Spicy

Horseradish

$9.00 for a 9oz jar

On the pulled pork sandwich, or on anything else that comes off the smoker or the grill. A sweet base with a mild to medium bite.

Buy a Jar of Horseradish

Hot & Spicy took 3rd Place in Barbecue Sauce, Mustard-Hot at the 2022 Scovie Awards. See all the awards.

Grilling chicken or fish instead? Our mustard marinade soaks in overnight. And if the brats are going on too, here is which jar goes on a brat.

Common Questions

About mustard and BBQ

Why put mustard on pulled pork before the rub?

It works as a binder. Spread on first, it gives the rub something to hold on to, so the seasonings make their way into the meat while it smokes.

Can you use a sweet mustard as a binder?

Yes, that's what I use. Original Sweet & Spicy is creamy and sweet, and a whole jar goes on the pork butt before the rub.

How much mustard do you use on a pork butt?

I use a whole 9oz jar of Original Sweet & Spicy and spread it over the entire pork butt.

How long do you smoke a pork butt, and at what temperature?

I set the smoker to about 225°F and let it go uncovered for about 7 or 8 hours. Every pork butt and every smoker is a little different, so go by when it's ready, not just the clock. After it's pulled and sauced, I like to put it back on, covered in foil, for 30 minutes to an hour at about 200°F.

Which of your mustards is best for BBQ?

Original Sweet & Spicy for the binder, Hot & Spicy if you want to stir some heat into your BBQ sauce, and any of the three on the sandwich when it's done.

More Ways to Use It

Other foods we put it on

Where to Buy It

Three ways, and we like all of them

Online

The store has all three flavors the whole year round.

Visit the Store

In Person

Farmers markets, craft shows and festivals around the St. Louis metro and Metro East. Free tastings at every one of them.

See the Events

At a Shop

Shops across Missouri and Metro East Illinois keep it on the shelf. The list is on the retailers page.

See the Shops

A pork butt, a jar of Original, a good rub and a free Saturday. We appreciate your business.

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