These slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches are meltingly tender and delicious, the perfect easy dinner option!
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? That’s more like it. When you add the slaw, it becomes a meal that appeals to adults too. I created this recipe for slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches to satisfy everyone’s different tastes.
How Do You Make Pulled Pork Sandwiches?
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. The pork is coated in a spice blend then slow cooked to perfection. After the meat is done, it gets shredded and tossed in your favorite barbecue sauce. Grab some buns and whip up a quick slaw, then dinner is served!
The slaw is a mixture of shredded cabbage and carrots 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.
This recipe makes a lot of slow cooker pulled pork, so you can use the leftovers the next night for a different meal (like chili or nachos), or you can freeze some for another night. The leftovers are also perfect to take to work for lunch the next day!
The whole family is sure to love these slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches – my husband actually thinks this pork is almost as good at what you’d get at a BBQ restaurant! That’s a pretty high compliment, don’t you think?
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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Ingredients
For the pork:
- 3 lbs boneless pork country ribs or pork shoulder roast cut into large chunks
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
For the slaw:
- 2 cups green cabbage shredded
- 2 cups purple cabbage shredded
- 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
- In a small bowl mix together the onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, pepper and cumin.
- Sprinkle the spice mixture all over the pork. Place the pork in a slow cooker with the chicken broth. Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred. Toss with the barbecue sauce to coat evenly. Serve on buns with slaw.
- For the slaw: Combine the cabbage and carrots 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.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on May 6, 2015 and was updated on October 3, 2017 with new photos.
annabelt says
We all love pulled pork too 🙂 And that rainbow slaw looks a lot more interesting than regular coleslaw!
Christina Boyer says
Your recipes always look so amazing! They make me hungry 🙂 We love pulled pork sandwiches. I’ll be trying this one as well!
Roxana says
Rainbow is RIGHT! These sandwiches look stunning!
Carol Borchardt says
These look SOOOOOO good! I’m in Memphis–the land of barbecue and I’d make yours over going out any day!
Elena says
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).
amanda @ fake ginger says
Such pretty sandwiches! I’m with your daughter – anything is tastier when served on bread! I could go for one of these right now.
tanya says
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!
[email protected] Cooking on the Front Burner says
These look amazing – I’ve never tried making my own pulled pork but will give it a try with your recipe!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
My husband had all the carbs out there throughout the day yesterday! He loves them! And I know he would love this 🙂
Colleen C says
This combo on pretzel buns looks delicious! My husband will love this! xoxo
Pepper and Style (Lara) says
OMG, looks amazing! Can’t wait to try this!
xoxo
Lara
http://pepperandstyle.com/
Olga @ MangoTomato says
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!
Sara says
You knew that already ;)!!!
Becky says
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!
Jennifer Fuller says
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!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
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.
Abigail says
We love pulled pork and what a delicious combo it is with the rainbow coleslaw. Perfect to serve for a summer party! Pinned. 🙂
Heather / girlichef says
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.
Frickingvikki says
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!!!
Nikki says
Ooh this looks amazing! Pinning this for later!
Elizabeth says
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?! 😀