BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
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Sink your teeth into this BBQ pulled pork sandwich: savory, saucy, tender pork is nestled between warm brioche buns, with tangy slaw and satisfying crispy jalapeños for the perfect bite! The slow cooker does most of the work for you, making this the ultimate make-ahead meal for feeding a crowd or enjoying an effortless dinner!
Nothing compares to the feeling of getting your hands on a satisfying, meaty sandwich. Spice things up with this Korean pulled pork sandwich or lighten things up with a pulled chicken sandwich!
Tender pulled pork is bathed in smoky BBQ sauce, contrasted with a crisp and zesty slaw, topped off with crispy jalapeno, all served in between soft, warm brioche buns!
Not only are these sandwiches delicious, but they're also the easiest way to feed a crowd! Set up a BBQ pulled pork sandwich station by arranging the buns alongside the tender pulled pork and tangy slaw. Then, allow your guests to assemble their own while you sit back and relax! The slow cooker does most of the work for you, so you can enjoy stress-free entertaining without skimping on flavor.
Ingredients notes
You only need a handful of ingredients to make your BBQ pulled pork, then add some brioche buns, mayo and slaw, and your crispy jalapenos, and you're off to pulled pork sandwich heaven! Gather these items:
- BBQ pulled pork: Pork butt, BBQ sauce, and broth.
- Spice rub: Brown sugar (or coconut sugar), smoked paprika, and garlic.
- Crispy jalapeños: Jalapeños, all-purpose flour, and cooking oil.
- The sandwiches: Brioche buns, chipotle mayo, and coleslaw.
How to make bbq pulled pork sandwiches
When life gets busy, the slow cooker gets taken out of the cupboard. Let it do the work for you so you can focus on more important things, but still eat well! This is how it's done:
- Prepare pork: Add the spices to a small bowl to make the spice rub. Remove the butcher twine from the pork, then cover it with the spices. Pop it in the slow cooker, cover it with the broth and BBQ sauce, then set it and forget it!
- Finish pork: When the pork is ready, use tongs to transfer it to a bowl. Retrieve all the juices left behind in the slow cooker and transfer them to a pot, boiling to reduce it. Shred the pork with two forks, then pour the reduced sauce over top.
- Crispy jalapeños: Add the jalapenos and flour to a bowl, mixing to coat, then take the sliced jalapenos out to fry them.
- Assemble: Slather chipotle mayo on the buns, pile on the BBQ pulled pork, then top with the coleslaw and crispy jalapeños. Enjoy!
Which cut of pork to use for pulled pork
There are numerous choices when it comes to buying pork, but for pulled pork, you're looking for a piece where the fibers will slowly break down during slow cooking. The best cut is pork shoulder, also referred to as pork butt or boston butt. Don't let the name fool you – the cut comes from the upper part of the pig's front shoulder, not the butt! It's well-marbled with fat and connective tissues that break down to become tender strands of juicy pork.
Note that pork loin is not suitable for this recipe – it's a leaner cut, so the lower fat content means it'll end up quite dry if you slow-cook it.
Boneless pork shoulder is going to be more convenient for shredding, but you can get bone-in, too. You'll just want to be careful to remove all pieces of bone before shredding.
You'll know the pork is ready to be shredded when it gives under the gentle pressure of tongs. The internal temperature should be 205 degrees Fahrenheit. If it's not quite there, let it cook for a bit longer.
If you've got pork chops in the freezer, take them out to make our baked pork chops recipe. It's the most popular recipe on our site!
Sides for BBQ pulled pork sandwiches
Pulled pork BBQ sandwiches are so easy, they're the perfect standby recipe for gatherings. You can make a self-serve station, putting the buns and slaw down next to the pulled pork and letting your guests help themselves. Then, add some delicious sides for a complete crowd-pleasing dinner! Here are some of our top picks:
- Mac and cheese: A classic to pair with BBQ pulled pork, this comfort food contrasts and complements the smoky BBQ notes with creamy, cheesy goodness!
- Sweet potato wedges: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these wedges are a perfect contrast texture-wise. You can also make french fries or carrot fries, too!
- Corn on the cob: Juicy kernels of sweet corn contrast the savory pork!
- Baked beans: Keep things simple with some hearty beans like these apple pie baked beans.
- Pickles: Tangy, crisp pickles offer a refreshing contrast to the rich and deep BBQ notes of the pork.
What to serve with a bbq pulled pork sandwich
First of all, let's talk about the slaw you serve on this sandwich. Changing up the slaw can be an easy way to mix up the flavor each time you make these BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, and you can serve some on the side for an easy dinner.
If you want something really convenient, you can always grab a bag of slaw from the supermarket – done! Otherwise, put an Asian twist on your sandwich by making an Asian slaw, add some depth with a blue cheese coleslaw, or a healthy broccoli slaw.
For dessert, you'll want something that balances the savory and smoky flavors of BBQ pulled pork sandwiches. Make a purple sweet potato pie, plum cobbler, or creamsicle orange sherbert.
Recipe FAQs
How many calories are in a pulled pork bbq sandwich?
One sandwich of this BBQ pulled pork sandwich has 479kcal. If you'd like a lighter option, you could omit the bun and use a lettuce leaf to make a pulled pork lettuce wrap, instead!
Which BBQ sauce should I use?
If you want to make homemade BBQ sauce, we've got a recipe for pulled pork BBQ sauce and a bourbon BBQ sauce recipe that adds an undertone of bourbon.
Otherwise, if you'd like to use store-bought BBQ sauce for ease, opt for something with a thick consistency. It'll meld into the pulled pork perfectly without making it too wet.
How do I store leftovers?
It's best to store each element of these sandwiches separately. Store any leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days, or in the freezer. Pulled pork freezes and reheats really well! The slaw can be stored for a similar time, depending on what slaw you make.
If you have leftover pulled pork, you can consider using it to make other recipes, like pulled pork enchiladas!
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
The BBQ Pulled Pork
- 1 3-4 lb boneless pork butt (or 4-5 lb bone-in)
- 1 ½ cups bbq sauce
- 1 cup broth
Spice Rub
- ¼ cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and salt
The Crispy Jalapeños
- 2 jalapeños (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (gluten-free if needed)
- Cooking oil
The Sandwiches
- 8 brioche buns (warmed)
- Chipotle mayo (see notes)
- 4 cups coleslaw (see notes)
Instructions
The Pulled Pork
- Start by mixing the spice rub ingredients together in a small bowl.2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and salt, ¼ cup brown sugar
- Remove the butcher twine from the pork and then cover it with the spices, working it into all the nooks and crannies.1 3-4 lb boneless pork butt
- Place the pork in a slow cooker and add any remaining spices. Pour the BBQ sauce and broth into the slow cooker, cover with the lid, and turn the slow cooker on high for 5-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours.1 ½ cups bbq sauce, 1 cup broth
- Remove the pork from the pot and put it into a large bowl. Pour the juices into a medium-sized pot, bring it pot to a boil over high heat, and continue to boil until the juices reduce to the thickness of BBQ sauce.
- Shred the pork using two forks and then pour the reduced sauce into the bowl and mix well.
The Crispy Jalapeños
- Add the jalapeños and all flour to a bowl and mix around until the jalapeño slices are coated. Remove the jalapeños from the flour.2 jalapeños, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Heat ½ inch of oil in a medium-sized frying pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the jalapeño slices (in 2 batches) and fry for 1-2 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove them from the pan and let them cool on a paper towel-lined plate.Cooking oil
The Sandwiches
- Slather the chipotle mayo on the buns. Pile on some BBQ pulled pork and then top with coleslaw and a handful of crispy jalapeños.8 brioche buns, Chipotle mayo, 4 cups coleslaw
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our sandwich recipes!
I made this as soon as I saw this yesterday and oh my goodness was it ever delicious. Those crispy jalapeños are everything! Thanks for another great recipe!