How To

How to Barbecue a Pig

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(3 Ratings)

Barbecuing a whole pig is a great event for the whole family. Gather your friends, neighbors and relatives for this delicious and flavorful treat. A good time to barbecue is in the early fall when pigs that have been fed for slaughter are ready to go to the butcher. The method detailed here is one commonly used to make North Carolina or Tennessee barbecue.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Coals from a wood fire
  • A wire rack for cooking
  • Barbecue sauce
  • Salt
  1. Step 1

    Start a wood fire to create coals to use for smoking. You can use prepared charcoals, but making your own allows you to control the heat better.

  2. Step 2

    Take the pig to the slaughter house to have it properly dressed and ready to barbecue.

  3. Step 3

    Bring the pig back to your barbecue spot and cut it down the middle. Break the backbone as you cut so the pig will lay flat, face down.

  4. Step 4

    Make an even bed of coals the entire length of the cooking surface.

  5. Step 5

    Place a heavy wire screen or rack about one foot above the bed of coals. An old mattress spring works really well for this task. Grease the rack to prevent too much sticking.

  6. Step 6

    Lay the pig flat on the barbecue surface. It should be stretched out and look like a butterfly. Add salt to the outside.

  7. Step 7

    Keep the pig cooking evenly, adding coals as needed throughout the night for about 7 to 8 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees. Turn the pig over, brush liberally with sauce and cook for one more hour

Tips & Warnings
  • Some people like to cook their pig through the night and turn first thing in the morning for the final cooking hour. This allows family and friends to gather for lunch the next day. Add coleslaw, baked beans, fresh buns and lots of sweet tea to make the meal complete.
  • After cooking the pig, remove it from the heat and begin chopping the meat into bite-sized pieces that can be used for sandwiches or eaten with a fork.
  • Use a barbecue sauce your family likes. Most cooking sauces are a mixture of vinegar, salt, pepper, Tabasco and spices. Some prefer their barbecue sauce heavy on the tomato and others prefer more vinegar and heat.

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