Charcoal-Grilled Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Spiced Slaw

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

Slow-cooked pork shoulder smoked over charcoal, shredded and served on toasted buns with a crunchy, spiced cabbage slaw. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 450 minutes pairs pork shoulder, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 6, 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: 90 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 American cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 4 lbs pork shoulder with 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp garlic powder. Coat evenly and let rest for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
  2. Step 2: Prepare a charcoal grill for indirect cooking at 225°F. Place the pork shoulder on the cooler side of the grill and smoke for about 6 hours, adding 1 cup apple juice to a drip pan every hour to maintain moisture, until internal temperature reaches 195°F.
  3. Step 3: While pork cooks, combine 3 cups shredded green cabbage, 2 cups shredded red cabbage, and 1 cup shredded carrot in a large bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper to make a spiced slaw. Chill until serving.
  4. Step 4: Once pork is done, let it rest for 20 minutes, then shred with two forks. Toast 6 hamburger buns brushed with 2 tbsp softened butter on the grill until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
  5. Step 5: Assemble sandwiches by piling shredded pork generously on buns and topping with the spiced cabbage slaw.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Charcoal-Grilled Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Spiced Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 450 minutes (90 min prep + 360 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 Charcoal-Grilled Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Spiced 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 pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charcoal-Grilled Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Spiced 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 Charcoal-Grilled Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Spiced Slaw for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Charcoal-Grilled Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Spiced Slaw?

American bbq & smoked 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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