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 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 and potato salad, to mac and cheese (or pasta salad), corn, tomatoes 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
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:
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Apple Cider Pulled Pork
- Pear Pulled Pork
- Pumpkin Pulled Pork
- Memphis-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Tropical Pulled Pork
- Salsa Verde Pulled Pork
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.
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. (There is no such thing as adding something like cheddar cheese to one, too.)
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.
Looking for the best sides to go along with pulled pork sandwiches… or just BBQ pork?
We’ve got a mix of veggies and more that make a delicious side.
Here are our best sidedishes:
What to drink with pulled pork sandwiches:
Pulled pork sammies call for a delicious drink! If it’s summer, you will need a good refresher.
Consider a classic like fresh-squeeze lemonade. Or take things up a notch with strawberry iced tea or cherry limeade.
If you want a cocktail, pineapple margaritas would be amazing, as would Pimm’s punch.
More barbecue recipes
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
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