These Pulled Pork Sandwiches are the king for serving a crowd or make ahead meals, complete with optional creamy crunchy coleslaw and crispy onion rings!
This Pulled Pork Sandwich recipe is fall apart tender, tangy, sweet and smoky with the perfect kick, smothered in the best homemade barbecue sauce– and so easy in the slow cooker, instant pot or oven! Top them off with creamy, crunchy, light coleslaw and crispy fried onion rings and you’re in for the best BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches EVER. This recipe is simple to make, easily customizable and a brilliant standby for meal prep, large gatherings or freezer meals. Serve them up with strawberry broccoli salad, potato salad or Italian pasta salad for everyone’s favorite summer meal!
Calling all sandwich lovers! If you’re a fan of fully loaded sandwiches, you’ll love: Reuben Sandwiches, Monte Cristo Sandwiches, French Dip Sandwiches, Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches, Italian Beef Sandwiches, Beef Brisket Sandwiches, Cuban Sandwiches, Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, and of course, this incredible pulled pork sandwich recipe!
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HOW TO MAKE PulLed Pork Sandwich VIDEo
What readers are saying about this pulled pork
The best pulled pork sandwiches begin with the best pulled pork! This recipe takes my readers’ favorite BBQ pulled pork recipe, which is already stand-alone-fabulous, and makes it even better with light and crunchy coleslaw and crispy fried onion rings for a mouthwatering mashup that’s too good to pass up. But you don’t have to take my word for it:
“This is hands down the BEST pulled pork I ever had.” – Grace
“Fantastic Flavor!!! I’ve used this recipe 3 times now. It’s tough to try and top this pulled pork recipe...” – Mr. Mojo Risin
“This recipe is awesome. Reading the ingredient list, I was quite skeptical, but the outcome was sooooo good. I had to prepare it two times in a week, to satisfy my friends’ requests. Pulled pork has always been a favourite, I’m so glad I can cook it on my own now. THANK YOU.” – Rachel
Why this pulled pork sandwich recipe works
The recipe is easy and foolproof. The slow cooker makes this recipe almost effortless. Just sear, cook, shred and smother! If the pork isn’t tender, you just cook longer until tender – guaranteed.
The best recipe for a crowd. Slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches are a beloved standby for large gatherings, company, parties, reunions, Game Day or basic weeknight dinners. It is a simple, set-it- and-forget-it recipe that requires little or no attention until it’s time to shred, with hardly any cleanup. It’s ideal for hot days when you don’t want to turn on your oven, or need to keep food warm without sacrificing any quality. When it’s time to enjoy, let everyone assemble their own sandwiches which makes serving a breeze!
It’s dripping with flavorful. The pork is spice rubbed in the prefect blend of chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, pepper and cayenne pepper then seared to reap the caramelizing benefits of the Maillard reaction. It’s then cooked in Cherry Coke, green chilies, brown sugar, orange zest and a splash of liquid smoke, for a tantalizing combination of sweet, tangy, bright and smoky. Once the pork is fall apart tender, you smother it with your favorite barbecue sauce for multi-dimensional flavorful pork that is so easy you can satisfy your cravings any day of the week.
It’s mouthwateringly juicy. The secret ingredient of Coke not only infuses the meat with caramel notes but is one of the most effective meat tenderizers! Additionally, after the pork is shredded, it’s left to braise for 20 an additional minute to further tenderize and soak up the flavorful juices.
The pulled pork is smothered in the best homemade barbecue sauce. We use this barbecue sauce regularly in our house to make BBQ ribs, BBQ brisket, BBQ brisket sandwiches, BBQ pulled chicken, BBQ grilled chicken, BBQ burgers, BBQ chicken pizza and of course these pulled pork sandwiches – because it’s SO GOOD! It has hundreds of 5 star reviews between the aforementioned recipes such as: “The sauce is so good that I’ll never buy a bottle of sauce again.” and “This is the best BBQ sauce ever!”
The coleslaw isn’t drowning in mayo! This coleslaw recipe uses less mayonnaise than most and swaps some of the mayo for sour cream so the crunchy cabbage is the star of the show. It’s light, crisp, cooling, tangy with a hint of sweetness, the perfect cooling compliment to our robust pulled pork.
It’s make ahead friendly. These pulled pork sandwiches begin in the slow cooker, and even taste better after being cooked and refrigerated the next day, making them perfect to reheat for a crowd or for make-ahead meals. The homemade barbecue sauce, coleslaw and onion rings can all be made ahead of time so they’re ready to be piled on the saucy, crazy tender pulled pork.
WHAT’S THE BEST PORK FOR PULLED PORK?
Pulled Pork can be made with pork shoulder or pork (Boston) butt. Despite the names, both pork butt and pork shoulder both come from the shoulder of the pig. Pork shoulder comes from the shoulder area just above the forelegs and Boston butt comes from the area stacked vertically above that, around the shoulder blades.
If you have a choice between Boston pork butt and pork shoulder, always choose Boston Pork butt. It is named after the barrels (butts) pork used to be stored in around the time of the Revolutionary War. Pork butt is fattier and has more marbling throughout the meat so it emerges more flavorful and tender.
Whether you choose pork shoulder or Boston butt, look for a roast with a good amount of marbling, which will transform into succulent, richly flavored Pulled Pork.
Best buns for pulled pork
The best buns for pulled pork sandwiches are typically soft, slightly sweet, and sturdy enough to hold the juicy filling without falling apart.
Brioche buns are a popular choice and my personal favorite due to their rich, buttery flavor and pillowy texture, which complements the savory, tangy pulled pork.
Potato rolls are another excellent option with a soft, tender crumb and a hint of sweetness that pairs well with the pork.
Some people also enjoy using pretzel buns for their distinctive flavor and sturdy structure or ciabatta rolls for their crisp exterior and airy interior.
FAT CAP ON OR OFF?
Boston Butts have a fat cap, a layer of hard white fat that sits on top of the meat, sometimes as much has an inch thick. I recommend trimming all of it except a very thin layer. The thin layer of remaining fat will create a self-basting effect as it breaks down and drips over the meat, resulting in extra juicy and extra flavorful pork, with little surface fat remaining after cooking.
Pulled Pork Rub Ingredients
The rub is earthy, smoky, salty with a ginger, garlic zing. It manages to be flavorful but not overpowering, so you can still smother the pulled pork sandwiches with barbecue sauce. You will need:
braising liquid
Braising the pork in a few inches of seasoned liquid helps to transform the tough pork shoulder into a tender, succulent, fall-apart masterpiece. The moist environment gently cooks the pork while the liquid continuously infuses the pork with moisture and flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
What reader’s are saying about the bbq sauce:
“Absolutely incredible!! My husband is a huge BBQ rib fan. He’s been to rib competitions always looking for the best BBQ sauce. He was blown away.” – Danielle
“…. The best I have ever had and I will be making my own (your recipe) from here on out. I was skeptical reading all the posts about how good it was and I now know why. Absolutely amazing…” – Terry
“The SAUCE, is absolutely the best, better than any homemade or out of a bottle we’ve ever had.” – Stephanie
BARBECUE SAUCE INGREDIENTS
My homemade BBQ Sauce recipe is an intoxicating blend of sweet, tangy, spicy, smoky and ready in less than 20 minutes – 15 of those minutes are hands-off simmering! So, while it’s easier and more convenient to squeeze a bunch of store-bought barbecue sauce all over the pulled pork, I promise the homemade sauce will make your pulled pork sandwich recipe 1000X better!
This homemade BBQ Sauce recipe comes together very quickly with just a handful of ingredients. You will need (measurements included in the printable recipe card):
HOW TO MAKE pulled pork Sandwiches with BBQ Sauce
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches are the epitome of a minimal prep and maximum flavor recipe! Once you’ve gathered the ingredients, it’s a simple season, sear and cook until fall-apart tender. While the pork is cooking, whip up an easy batch of barbecue sauce, and if you’re feeling more ambitious, whip up some coleslaw and onion rings too! Here’s how:
- Step 1: Braising liquid. Combine the Coke, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, orange zest and green chilies in a lightly greased slow cooker; set aside. You want to prep these ingredients first so you can transfer the pork directly to the crockpot after searing.
- Step 2: Spice rub the pork. Whisk all the seasonings together in a small bowl. Lightly drizzle the pork with vegetable oil, then rub it on the top and sides of the pork, then coat all over with seasonings, pressing to adhere. Flip the pork over, drizzle oil over the top and finish rubbing in the spices.
- Step 3: Sear the pork. Wait until the vegetable oil is smoking hot before you add the pork. I find two forks the easiest to rotate the pork to sear it on all sides.
- Step 4: Cook the pork until fall apart tender. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours or on LOW for 8 to 12 hours OR until the pork easily shreds with a fork. Make sure to check the pork at the early part of the cooking window and continue to cook if needed.
- Step 5: Shred and braise. You can either shred the pork directly in the crockpot or it’s a little easier to remove any excess fat by shredding it on a cutting board. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and allow to cook for 20 minutes on LOW to soak up the juices.
- Step 6: Add barbecue sauce. Add the pork to a colander over a large bowl and strain all but about ½ cup broth from the pork. Return the pork to the slow cooker/pot and stir in the desired amount of barbecue sauce.
pulled pork temperature
Pulled pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of about 205 degrees F for shreddable tender. This is far past the 145 degrees for safe consumption. The high internal temperature allows collagen to break down, making the meat melt-in-your-mouth juicy. This will take anywhere from 8-12 hours in a slow cooker. In old slow cookers, it may even take up to 16 hours. It will take about 6 hours in the oven and 80 minutes plus a slow release in the instant pot.
Pulled Pork Sandwich Toppings
Pulled pork sandwiches are scrumptious on their own, but even better loaded with toppings! In this recipe, I’ve added my favorite toppings of coleslaw and fried onion rings. This homemade coleslaw recipe combines traditional coleslaw ingredients with sour cream, Dijon, lemon juice, celery seed and dried dill for dynamic layers of texture and flavor!
You can also create a topping bar of the below ideas so your eaters can customize their own sandwiches:
- coleslaw
- fried onion rings
- bacon
- caramelized onions
- pickles
- pickled vegetables
- jalapenos or pickled jalapenos
- pepperoncini
- onion jam
- avocados
- horseradish sauce
- hot sauce
What cheese goes with pulled pork?
- Cheddar cheese pairs excellently with pulled pork, offering a sharp, tangy contrast to the rich, savory meat.
- Smoked gouda is another great option, adding a smoky depth that complements the barbecue flavors.
- Monterey Jack and pepper jack provide a mild, creamy texture, with the latter adding a bit of spicy kick.
- Provolone and mozzarella are also good choices, as their mild flavors and excellent melting qualities enhance the overall sandwich without overpowering the pulled pork.
INGREDIENTS FOR ONION Rings
The crunchy fried onion strings really elevate this pulled pork sandwich recipe to restaurant delicious. They are so addicting, I could at them all day sans sandwich! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Onions: use yellow onions for the most flavor.
- Buttermilk: I often don’t have buttermilk, so I will use a DIY buttermilk. To make your own buttermilk, Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar to a 3 cup+ measuring cup. Add enough milk to equal cups. Give it a stir then wait 10-15 minutes for it to curdle, then give it another stir before using. If you only have 1% milk, then add a splash of heavy cream before filling the rest of the measuring cup with milk.
- Egg: helps bind the flour and panko to the onions.
- Flour: I use all-purpose flour and have not experimented with gluten free flour but I imagine it would work fine.
- Panko: is a Japanese breadcrumb sold in every grocery store (including Walmart) usually next to the other breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are larger and dryer than normal breadcrumbs so they absorb less moisture and become much crispier. Please do not substitute panko breadcrumbs with Italian breadcrumbs or you will be missing out on the gorgeous, satisfying CRUNCH. If you need to omit the panko, then substitute with flour instead.
- Salt and pepper: to season those onions! I don’t recommend adding herbs because they can burn when fried.
- Oil: you will need oil with a neutral flavor and high smoking point to fry the onions. Vegetable or canola oil work great.
HOW TO MAKE ONION STRINGS
STEP 1: SOAK ONIONS
- Add onions to a shallow baking dish and pour buttermilk/egg mixture over top. Press the onions down so they’re submerged as much as possible.
- Let them soak at room temperature for 15 minutes to an hour, stirring and pushing down occasionally. Cover and refrigerate if soaking longer.
STEP 2: PREP WORKSTATIONS
- When ready to fry onions, fill a deep frying pan, Dutch oven or deep heavy-duty pot with approximately 2 inches of oil. Heat to 375 degrees F.
- While heating, combine flour, panko, salt and pepper in a large bowl; set aside.
- Line a large baking sheet with paper towels; set aside.
STEP 3: Bread ONIONS
- Using tongs, transfer a handful of onions from the buttermilk to the flour/panko mixture. Toss to combine, shake off any excess flour, then carefully transfer to the hot oil. You can also bread all of the rings at once and transfer to a baking sheet so they’re all ready to fry.
STEP 4: FRY ONIONS
- Test the oil with a small pinch of panko; if it bubbles and fries, then it is hot enough.
- Fry onions until golden brown (just 1-2 minutes), watch closely! Remove fried onions with a spider strainer, heat-proof slotted spoon or tongs to paper towels. Repeat with the remaining onion slices.
HOW tO TOAST Sandwich BUNS
I strongly believe the buns need to be toasted in order to achieve the best BBQ pulled pork sandwiches! The toasted exterior prevents them from becoming soggy as well as delivering a golden, crispy outside, giving way to a soft buttery inside.
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line top and bottom buns on a baking sheet, cut side up.
3. Bake until warmed and lightly crispy about 5 minutes. Don’t over bake or they can become dry – we don’t want croutons!
Tips for making the best BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
- Use smoked paprika in the spice rub and barbecue sauce. The difference between smoked paprika and normal paprika may seem nominal, but it has a big impact on the the overall flavor. Normal paprika uses crushed dried chilies, whereas smoked paprika uses chilies that are first smoked with oak, then dried and crushed. This adds a smoky, woody, outdoorsy flavor that elevates your BBQ Pulled Pork to next level.
- For the best pork, sear first. This extra step is well worth it. It caramelizes the outside of the pork for a depth of flavor and increases its moisture capacity so its’s extra juicy. It also binds the seasonings to the pork. That being said, the original recipe did not sear the pork, and readers still found it delicious – so, your call!
- Use a cast iron skillet. I recommend a large cast iron skillet because it gets piping hot and sears more evenly. When searing, the pork will naturally release from the pan once it’s properly seared. If it’s sticking to the bottom of the pan, it most likely needs more time.
- Use a high smoking point oil. Use vegetable oil, avocado oil or sunflower oil to sear the pork– don’t substitute with olive oil. Olive oil has a lower smoking point and will not only smoke like crazy but can burn leaving behind a bitter taste and harmful chemicals.
- Cook the pork until tender. If your pork isn’t crazy tender, then cook on! It just means the proteins needs more time to break down and tenderize. Even 30 more minutes can make the world of difference between “okay” and melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork. If it’s your first time making this recipe, plan on the full cooking window, but check the pork for doneness at the early part of the cooking window to be safe.
- Don’t skip soaking the pork after shredding. Cooking the shredded pork on low for 20 minutes is crucial to allow the flavorful slow cooker juices to seep into every nook and cranny before adding the barbecue sauce.
- Drain pork using a colander. I place my strainer on top of a large bowl to catch the braising liquid so the fat doesn’t go directly in my sink, then refrigerate the bowl and skim the fat later and ditch the rest of the juices in the sink sans fat.
- Use homemade barbecue sauce! This is the number one tip for the best BBQ pulled pork sandwiches!
- Splatter screen. If you have a splatter screen, you might want to place it over the barbecue sauce in between stirring.
- Thinly slice onions. Thinly sliced onions ensure the ideal proportions of onions to coating. To shortcut this process, use a mandolin slicer if you have one.
- Stir onions. Once you add the onions to the hot oil, give them a stir to break up any of the onions that may be sticking together.
- Watch closely. The onions don’t take long at all to fry up – just a minute or two per batch, so make sure to watch closely. To check for doneness, use your slotted spoon and lift a few out of the pot because it can be hard to see their true color in the oil.
- Don’t over-fry. The onions should be golden and not dark golden when you remove them from the oil.
Pulled Pork sandwich Variations
You can easily adapt the pulled pork sandwiches by mixing up the homemade barbecue sauce. Like a sweet sauce? Add more sugar. Like a tangier sauce? Add more vinegar. Like a spicy BBQ Sauce? Add more chipotle. Here’s how:
- Make it sweeter: add more brown sugar. I suggest you simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, taste and add additional sugar at this time if desired (and not right off the bat); continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Make it tangier: add additional apple cider vinegar at the end of simmering.
- Make it smokier: add additional liquid smoke, ½ teaspoon at a time.
- Make it spicier: add additional chipotle chili powder for smoky heat or cayenne pepper for penetrating heat.
- Make the seasonings your own. Like more garlic? Use more garlic. Like more mustard? Use more mustard. You can adjust all of the seasonings to suit your tastes and even add additional seasonings such as oregano or parsley.
- Make it thicker: simmer the sauce for upwards of 15 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency, however, it is already gorgeously thick after 15 minutes so I don’t think you’ll find this necessary.
- Make it gluten-free: double check your ingredients to ensure they are gluten free.
- Homemade Maple BBQ Sauce: substitute half of the brown sugar for pure maple syrup – not the breakfast imitation kind!
- Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce: substitute the brown sugar for honey.
pulled pork in the oven
Cooking pulled pork in the oven is my second favorite method behind the slow cooker. Cook the pork roast at 325 degrees for about 6 hours or until very tender. Full instructions in the recipe card.
CAN I MAKE pulled pork IN An instant pot?
Yes, pulled pork can be cooked in the pressure cooker but it is my least favorite method between braising in the oven, slow cooking and pressure cooking. Pork butt/shoulder should be cooked low and slow so the marbling throughout the meat has plenty of time to break down to create juicy, tender pork. Instead, pressure cooking sacrifices some of the rich flavor. It is also harder to gauge when it is done, so it can either be a little tough or too tender/borderline mushy.
In conclusion, you can use an instant pot if you’re short on time but lower your expectations. For the best pulled pork sandwiches, use the slow cooker or oven. Still, I have included instant pot instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Recipe INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS
What to serve with pulled pork sandwiches
BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with a side of potato salad, pasta salad and fruit salad is the quintessential potluck meal! Here are some more to choose from:
Potluck Favorites: Baked Mac and Cheese, Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Crockpot Creamed Corn, Corn Casserole, Elote (Mexican Street Corn), Grilled Corn on the Cob and Corn Casserole
Pasta Salad: Taco Pasta Salad, Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, Italian Tortellini Salad, Greek Pasta Salad, BLT Pasta Salad, Cowboy Pasta Salad, Bacon and Pea Pasta Salad and Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
Salad: Broccoli Bacon Salad, Strawberry Avocado Broccoli Salad, Strawberry Salad, Cucumber Tomato Salad, Mexican Salad, Wedge Salad, and Corn Salad
Fruit: Watermelon Feta Salad, Creamy Grape Salad, Pina Colada Fruit Salad, Summer Fruit Salad, Perfect Fruit Salad, or Tropical Fruit Salad
meal prep pulled pork sandwiches
BBQ Pulled Pork: Cook the pulled pork all the way through adding the barbecue sauce. Transfer the pork to the refrigerator directly in the ceramic crockpot insert or Dutch oven. The next day, warm the pork in the crockpot on LOW for 1-2 hours or gently warm on the stove. Add a splash or additional barbecue sauce or water if it seems dry after it’s warmed through (it will release juices as it heats up).
BBQ Sauce: Transfer the cooled barbecue sauce to an air-tight container. Store for up to two weeks in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months.
Coleslaw: Homemade coleslaw will last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge, but is at peak freshness within the first few hours of combining.
To make ahead further in advance, thinly slice the cabbage, shred the carrots, and slice the green onions. Store in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. The dressing can be whisked together and refrigerated up to 5 days in advance. Combine when ready to use.
Onion Strings. You can slice the onions a day ahead of time and refrigerate in an airtight bag if you aren’t ready to fry right away. This will cut down on the onion prep significantly. For fried onions, let them cool COMPLETELY before transferring to an airtight container. Store onions at ROOM TEMPERATURE for up to three days.
How to Store
Pulled pork: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The buns can be refrigerated or frozen to prolong their shelf life. If desired, wrap buns in a damp paper towel and microwave for 10 seconds or so to soften before toasting.
Onion Strings: Let onions cool COMPLETELY before transferring to an airtight container. Store onions at ROOM TEMPERATURE for up to three days.
Coleslaw: Homemade coleslaw will last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge, but is at peak freshness within the first few hours of combining. The cabbage will soften over time and the dressing will become runnier. The carrots and red cabbage will also alter the color of the dressing the longer it sits.
How to Reheat
-To reheat in the microwave: Warm the pork in the microwave for 1 minute then at 20 second intervals until warmed through.
-To reheat on the stove: Rewarm the pork gently over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if the pork seems a little dry after warmed through.
-To reheat in the slow cooker: Reheat in the slow cooker for 1-2 hours on low.
Can you freeze cooked pulled pork?
Yes! Let the pork cool completely then transfer to a freezer safe container or portion it into smaller containers. Press freezer bag(s) flat and squeeze out excess air to prevent freezer burn. Seal, label, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Looking for more pulled pork recipes?
Slow Cooker Asian Caramel Pulled Pork: crazy tender smothered in the most addicting savory, sweet and spicy sauce infused with coconut milk, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, fish sauce, sriracha, ginger and garlic. Serve with rice or make into tacos with pineapple cucumber slaw!
Carnitas (Crockpot): Juicy pork smothered in a dynamic fiesta spice rub then slow cooked with orange juice and lime juice all finished in the oven to create glorious caramelized crispy burnt ends.
Chipotle Sweet Pulled Pork: A Café Rio Copycat that’s juicy, tender, melt-in-your-mouth with the perfect balance of saucy sweet heat.
Salsa Verde Honey Lime Pork (Crockpot): bright, tangy, zesty with just the right amount of kick all balanced by a hint of honey.
Kalua Pork: ridiculously juicy, tender, smoky and salty made by rubbing the pork with Hawaiian sea salt and spices, searing, drizzling with liquid smoke then letting the slow cooker, oven or instant pot do the rest of the work.
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BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe
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Ingredients
FOR THE PORK
- 4-6 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast (Boston Butt roast)
- 1 12 oz. can Cherry Coke (1 ½ cups)
- 2 4 oz. cans mild diced green chilies
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- zest of 1 orange
- 1 TBS EACH garlic powder, chili powder, salt
- 2 tsps EACH onion powder, smoked paprika
- 1 tsp EACH pepper, ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- vegetable oil
ADD LATER
- 2 cups homemade BBQ sauce (or store-bought), more or less as needed
FOR THE SANDWICHES
- 1 recipe homemade coleslaw
- 12 -15 hamburger size buns
FOR THE FRIED ONION RINGS (Optional)
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups buttermilk (see DIY in notes)*
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp EACH salt and pepper
- vegetable or canola oil for frying
Instructions
PORK
- Lightly spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the Coke through the orange zest in the slow cooker; set aside.
- Whisk all the seasonings together in a small bowl (garlic powder through cayenne pepper). Lightly coat pork with vegetable oil, then rub seasonings all over the pork.
- Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over high heat in a large cast iron skillet. Using tongs or 2 forks, sear pork on all sides until lightly browned. Place pork in prepared slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8-12 hours or on HIGH for 4-6 hours, UNTIL the pork is very tender. (Check pork at early end of cooking window and add more time as needed). Use this time to prep toppings such as coleslaw and onion strings.
- Remove pork to a cutting board and shred – don’t discard slow cooker juices. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and cook for 20 minutes on LOW to soak up the juices.
- Strain all but about ½ cup broth from the pork. Stir in the desired amount of barbecue sauce until evenly coated, adding more or less as desired. Taste and add hot sauce/salt/pepper/brown sugar to taste.
COLESLAW
- Prepare Coleslaw according to recipe directions. Don't make the coleslaw too sweet if your barbecue sauce is on the sweeter side. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use, best if 1-2 hours after combining. If making ahead, keep dressing and vegetables separate and then combine a little before serving.
FRIED ONION STRINGS
- Whisk buttermilk and egg together. Add onions to a shallow baking dish and pour buttermilk/egg mixture over top. Press the onions down so they're submerged as much as possible. Let them soak at room temperature for 15 minutes up to an hour, stirring and pushing down occasionally. Cover and refrigerate if soaking longer.
- When ready to fry onions, fill a heavy duty fry pot (this is the exact one I use) or large Dutch oven with approximately 2 inches of oil. Heat to 375 degrees F.
- While heating, combine flour, panko, salt and pepper in a large bowl; set aside. Line a large baking sheet with paper towels; set aside.
- Test the oil with a small pinch of panko; if it bubbles and fries, then it is hot enough. If it turns black right a way, it is too hot. Using tongs, transfer a handful of onions from the buttermilk to the flour/panko mixture. Toss to coat, pressing to adhere, shake off any excess flour, then carefully transfer to the hot oil. (The coating will be thin but will crisp up.)
- Fry onions until lightly golden brown (just 1-2 minutes), watch closely! – they will continue to darken after they're removed from the oil. Remove fried onions with a spider fry strainer or fine mesh sieve to paper towels. Repeat with the remaining onion slices.
TOAST BUNS
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Working in batches as needed, line top and bottom buns on a baking sheet, cut side up. Bake until warmed and lightly crispy, about 5 minutes. Don’t over bake or they can become dry – we don’t want croutons!
Assemble
- When ready to eat, pile toasted buns with pulled pork, coleslaw, fried onion rings and/or any desired toppings. Dig in!
Video
Notes
Tips
- Cherry Coke: Use regular Cherry Coke, NOT diet! Dr. Pepper is the closest substitute for Cherry Coke. The Coke not only adds flavor (contains flavoring approximates of dark spices like cinnamon, clove, allspice, cardamom, pipal, nutmeg, citrus zest, etc.) and caramelized sugar but is also highly acidic which balances the flavor and most importantly, tenderizes the meat. Cola is such a great tenderizer because it typically has a pH of about 2.7—for comparison, lemon juice has a pH of 2—making it acidic enough to break down the tough proteins without dissolving your meat.
- Liquid smoke: If you aren’t familiar with liquid smoke, it really is liquid smoke! It is a very common ingredient and should be easy to find next to the barbecue sauces in your grocery store. You can use mesquite or hickory, but I prefer mesquite in this recipe.
- Pulled Pork in the Oven: Cover and cook the pork roast at 325 degrees for about 6 hours or until very tender.
- Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot: Cut the pork into large chunks if needed to fit into the instant pot. Cook on high pressure for 70-80 minutes (depending on size). Once time is up, let pressure release naturally for 25 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure and open.
- *DIY Buttermilk: Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar to a 3 cup+ measuring cup. Add enough milk to equal 2 cups. Give it a stir then wait 10-15 minutes for it to curdle, then give it another stir before using. If you only have 1% milk, then add a splash of heavy cream before filling the rest of the measuring cup with milk.
Make Ahead
- BBQ Pulled Pork: Cook the pulled pork all the way through adding the barbecue sauce. Transfer the pork to the refrigerator directly in the ceramic crockpot insert or Dutch oven. The next day, warm the pork in the crockpot on LOW for 1-2 hours or gently warm on the stove. Add a splash or additional barbecue sauce or water if it seems dry after it’s warmed through (it will release juices as it heats up).
- BBQ Sauce: Transfer the cooled barbecue sauce to an air-tight container. Store for up to two weeks in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Coleslaw: Homemade coleslaw will last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge, but is at peak freshness within the first few hours of combining.
To make ahead further in advance, thinly slice the cabbage, shred the carrots, and slice the green onions. Store in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. The dressing can be whisked together and refrigerated up to 5 days in advance. Combine when ready to use. - Onion Strings. You can slice the onions a day ahead of time and refrigerate in an airtight bag if you aren’t ready to fry right away. This will cut down on the onion prep significantly. For fried onions, let them cool COMPLETELY before transferring to an airtight container. Store onions at ROOM TEMPERATURE for up to three days.
HOW TO STORE
- Pulled pork: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The buns can be refrigerated or frozen to prolong their shelf life. The pork can be frozen for up to three months.
- Onion Strings: Let onions cool COMPLETELY before transferring to an airtight container. Store onions at ROOM TEMPERATURE for up to three days.
- Coleslaw: Homemade coleslaw will last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge, but is at peak freshness within the first few hours of combining. The cabbage will soften over time and the dressing will become runnier. The carrots and red cabbage will also alter the color of the dressing the longer it sits.
To Reheat
- To reheat in the microwave: Warm the pork in the microwave for 1 minute then at 20 second intervals until warmed through.
- To reheat on the stove: Rewarm the pork gently over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if the pork seems a little dry after warmed through.
- To reheat in the slow cooker: Reheat in the slow cooker for 1-2 hours on low.
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Carlsbad Cravings original inspired by my mother-in-law, Marcia
Cathy says
I’m so disappointed. I purchased all of the ingredients listed for the pulled pork to make for the Fourth of July. When I started making it I realized you never said at what point I’m suppose to use the apple cider vinegar, the cans of green chillies, and the liquid smoke. I’m so upset right now. I’m not some fancy chef so I can’t even guess on when to incorporate these items. I was really looking forward to this and unfortunately I had to find a different recipe
Jen says
Hi Cathy, I’m so sorry! It is Step 1: “Combine the Coke through the orange zest in the slow cooker; set aside.”
Ashley says
You just mentioned the cherry coke in step 1 nothing about the chilies or vinegar ??
Jen says
Hi Ashley its “Combine the Coke THROUGH the orange zest…” meaning combine everything listed between the Coke and the orange zest, including both of them. Hope this helps!