These easy pulled pork sandwiches are topped with a colorful rainbow slaw – pure comfort food that can even be made in advance!
Do you have a carboholic in your life? One of my children loves bread, I think she would live on garlic bread if I let her. Obviously that’s not healthy so she gets her garlic bread in moderation but I’ve come to realize that she is more willing to try new things if they come served on her beloved bread. If I served her pulled pork plain, I doubt she’d want to try it. But pulled pork sandwiches? On pretzel bread? That’s more like it. When you add the rainbow slaw, it becomes a meal that appeals to adults too. I created this recipe for easy pulled pork sandwiches with rainbow slaw to satisfy everyone’s different tastes.
Let’s talk about the meat first. I use boneless pork country ribs for this recipe, but you could also use a pork shoulder roast. I prefer to cook this low and slow in the oven, but if you want to do it in the crockpot it’ll work just fine. The pork gets browned and is then cooked for 3 hours in a mixture of chicken stock, ketchup and spices. I don’t claim to be a barbecue master, I just cook food that I think my kids will like. And my kids like anything that involves ketchup, so there’s my reasoning. The ketchup adds a sweet and tangy note to the meat. After the meat is done cooking, you’ll want to shred it and then add some more ketchup to make it a little more saucy. My kids are happy with the meat on the bun but my husband and I definitely prefer a pile of rainbow slaw on top.
The rainbow slaw is a mixture of shredded vegetables tossed in a tangy lime dressing. I use a mandoline to finely shred my cabbage but you can do it by hand or with a food processor. You’re not going to find any mayo here as my family doesn’t care for it. This slaw is great to serve on its own as a side dish to the meal or heaped on top of the sandwiches.
I make these sandwiches with pretzel bread because my kids love it but you can definitely switch it out for some other type of bun. This is another one of those recipes that can be made a day or two in advance and reheated later. I actually made this late in the afternoon and it was ready by bedtime. I shredded the meat, popped it in the fridge and dinner was done for the next day!
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Easy Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Rainbow Slaw
Ingredients
- For the pork:
- 3 lbs boneless pork country ribs or pork shoulder roast
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 3/4 cup + 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- salt and pepper
- For the slaw:
- 2 cups green cabbage , shredded
- 2 cups red cabbage , shredded
- 1/2 red bell pepper , cut into thin strips
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper , cut into thin strips
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper
- Buns for serving
Instructions
- For the pork:
- Season the pork generously with salt and pepper. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
- In a large pan over medium-high heat, brown the pork, about 5 minutes per side. You may need to work in batches. Combine the chicken stock with 3/4 cup ketchup, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and brown sugar, season with more salt and pepper. Pour the liquid mixture over the browned meat.
- Place in the oven and bake for 3 hours. (or cook in crockpot for 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high)
- Remove the meat from the oven and discard any excess fat. Shred the meat and toss with remaining 1/2 cup ketchup. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
- For the slaw:
- Combine the cabbages, carrots and bell peppers in a bowl. Mix together the lime juice, vinegar, sugar and olive oil; add salt and pepper to taste.
- Let the slaw sit in the fridge for at least one hour; add cilantro just before serving.
Recipe Notes
Make Ahead: The pork can be made a day or two in advance.
Things You’ll Need (or Want!)
Oooh I don’t know what sounds better – the pulled pork or the pretzel bread – oh my goodness gracious me what lucky children you have! Can I come over for dinner too?! 😀
Ooh this looks amazing! Pinning this for later!
I’m out for all-you-can-eat Chinese tonight and as such have got a very minimal lunch….this post has destroyed my willpower lol!! Looks so awesome and I love homemade slaw!!!
These sandwiches are absolutely gorgeous! Pulled pork pleases everybody in my family (as do pretzel buns), add a vibrant slaw and all I’ll hear are happy noises. Yum.
We love pulled pork and what a delicious combo it is with the rainbow coleslaw. Perfect to serve for a summer party! Pinned. 🙂
You had me at pulled pork, but then the rainbow slaw and pretzel bun? Over the top! I want this for dinner, definitely pinned for later.
This looks amazing! I went ahead and pinned this so I can make it in the future, and your blog just became a must read for me! Looking forward to more deliciousness!
This looks absolutely divine, and the photography is gorgeous! I just ate with my eyes for sure. Can’t wait to try this…pinning right now!
You don’t like mayo!? Did I know this? I’m not sure we can remain friends 😉
The pulled pork mixture would be so good for brunch with eggs and potatoes!
You knew that already ;)!!!
OMG, looks amazing! Can’t wait to try this!
xoxo
Lara
http://pepperandstyle.com/
This combo on pretzel buns looks delicious! My husband will love this! xoxo
My husband had all the carbs out there throughout the day yesterday! He loves them! And I know he would love this 🙂
These look amazing – I’ve never tried making my own pulled pork but will give it a try with your recipe!
I am in love with all the colors in this slaw! It’s gorgeous! I have to get myself a mandolin! This is such a great recipe!
Such pretty sandwiches! I’m with your daughter – anything is tastier when served on bread! I could go for one of these right now.
These look great! I had a cole slaw lately that was made with Brussels sprouts and it was fantastic! I am usually a purist when it comes to my ‘que, but I was inspired to branch out (within reason, of course).
These look SOOOOOO good! I’m in Memphis–the land of barbecue and I’d make yours over going out any day!
Rainbow is RIGHT! These sandwiches look stunning!
Your recipes always look so amazing! They make me hungry 🙂 We love pulled pork sandwiches. I’ll be trying this one as well!
We all love pulled pork too 🙂 And that rainbow slaw looks a lot more interesting than regular coleslaw!
Oh man, this sandwich is heavenly! Not only do I love pulled pork, but that rainbow slaw you made? Gotta try it!!
Omgeeee this looks so so so yummy!!! Thanks for sharing
This sounds like one awesome sandwich. I’m loving the rainbow slaw!
How colorful! Love the slaw with the pulled pork! They sound perfect for our next BBQ!
This looks SO GOOD. Now I wish I had all the ingredients in my fridge so I could eat it shortly.