What to Serve with Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Best BBQ Sides)

Pulled pork sandwiches are the ultimate summer sammy, but what do you serve with them?! From slaw to stewed collards and beyond, there are so many great Southern sides for pulled pork sandwiches.

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What to Serve with Pulled Pork Sandwiches

One of the best parts of summer is the food. Y’all know I love a good backyard barbecue!

You can take the girl out of Tennessee and put her in Texas, and, well… she will love barbecue no matter what. But she’ll always return to the BBQ of her youth.

While pulled pork is harder to come by here in Texas, it’s still a favorite of mine. My personal favorite classic pulled pork recipe is made in the slow cooker.

Pulled pork sandwiches are the quintessential summer food, if you ask this Southern girl, and if you’re going to serve them, you’re going to need some really great summer side dishes to go alongside ’em.

From baked beans to French fries, potato salad to mac and cheese and beyond, there are so many favorite sides to serve with this barbecue staple.

More pulled pork recipes to try: Pulled Pork Nachos | BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza | Pulled Pork Egg Rolls

Close up of a pulled pork sandwich drizzled with BBQ sauce

Pulled pork recipes

Not sure what to put in your pulled pork sammies? Don’t you worry. There are so many delicious homemade pulled pork recipes.

If you have a great pork barbecue restaurant near you (especially a local business), you can also support them by buying a pound or two to transform into pork sliders.

Here are some easy recipe ideas to try if you go the homemade route:

What type of meat should I use to make pulled pork?

I look for a recipe that calls for a pork shoulder, Boston butt or pork butt for the next level flavors because I like when the pork cooks low and slow. The fattier cut of meat will yield super tender pork after a long cook. I do not like using a leaner cut of meat, like pork loin.

I have not successfully made pulled pork in the air fryer or the electric pressure cooker. While I know there are some recipes for this, I prefer to cook mine extremely slowly so that the pork is tender as all get out and incredibly juicy, too.

No Mayo Honey Mustard Coleslaw sits on top of a pulled pork barbecue sandwich, sitting on a white platter on a granite background

Pulled pork sandwich toppings

I know the toppings on your sandwich won’t determine what you pair this wonderful Southern main dish with, but I just want to put it out there: In Memphis, Pulled Pork Sammies are served with tangy coleslaw ON the sandwich.

You pile that shredded meat high on your favorite bun (brioche buns are my fave), add a homemade (or storebought) coleslaw recipe, then finish it with a drizzle of BBQ sauce for the ultimate main dish.

You can also serve the slaw on the side if you’re not into your sandwich being super messy.

Here are our best Pulled Pork Sandwich sides:

What to Serve with Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Pulled pork sandwiches are the ultimate summer sammy, but what do you serve with them?! From slaw to stewed collards, there are so many great Southern side dishes to pair with this barbecue staple.

Classic Potato Salad

Whip up some creamy, classic potato salad, the ultimate side dish for any occasion, especially a summertime barbecue. This 7-ingredient old fashioned potato salad recipe is easy to make and absolutely delicious.

Oven Fried Okra

Us southerners love our fried okra, but it can get messy. Make it in the oven for a lighter, crispier fried okra. It’s a classic at all summer BBQs!

Homemade BBQ Sauce

Okay, it’s not a side dish. But if you’re making some homemade side dishes for your BBQ, why not make some homemade sauce? This sweet-and-spicy is a family favorite.

Macaroni and Cheese

This Instant Pot version of mac and cheese will change your mind about how to make this classic side dish. Dress it up with seasonal ingredients like spring peas or toasty bacon and serve for the easiest, most comforting meal.

Memphis-Style Creamy Coleslaw

Looking for a classic coleslaw to make and serve? This Memphis-Style Creamy Coleslaw recipe strikes the perfect balance and is simple to put together.

No Mayo Potato Salad

Mayo haters will love this No Mayo Potato Salad recipe, which is a lighter rendition of the classic. Serve it at any picnic or cookout this summer and expect compliments on this surprisingly creamy potato salad.

Oven Fried Pickles

Frying pickles at home can be messy! Bake these Oven Fried Pickles for the same tasty effect, but with less mess and grease. This recipe is sure to be a summertime favorite and is wonderful served with your favorite pulled pork sandwich and an ice-cold beer.