Caribbean Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Pineapple Slaw

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pulled pork rubbed with bold jerk spices, slow-cooked to perfection and piled high on soft buns with a refreshing pineapple and cabbage slaw. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs trimmed pork shoulder, olive oil, jerk seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 8 Caribbean cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 3 lbs trimmed pork shoulder evenly with 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp jerk seasoning, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Let marinate at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Place the seasoned pork shoulder into a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is very tender and pulls apart easily with forks.
  3. Step 3: While pork cooks, combine 1 cup finely chopped pineapple chunks, 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro in a bowl. Mix well to make the pineapple slaw.
  4. Step 4: When pork is done, shred it using two forks and toss with cooking juices to keep moist.
  5. Step 5: To assemble sandwiches, place generous portions of pulled pork on 8 soft sandwich buns and top with a scoop of pineapple slaw. Serve immediately for a sweet and spicy Caribbean-inspired meal.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Caribbean Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Pineapple Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Caribbean Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Pineapple Slaw?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep trimmed pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Caribbean Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Pineapple Slaw?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Caribbean Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Pineapple Slaw for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Caribbean Jerk-Spiced Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Pineapple Slaw?

Caribbean pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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