Classic American BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Coleslaw

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

Slow-cooked pulled pork smothered in a smoky BBQ sauce, piled high on soft buns and topped with crisp, tangy coleslaw for a perfect Memorial Day cookout meal. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs pork shoulder (boneless), smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs pork shoulder (boneless)
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
• 8 hamburger buns
• 3 cups green cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup carrot, shredded
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp salt for slaw
• 1/4 tsp black pepper for slaw

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder. Rub this spice mix evenly all over 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder.
2. Step 2: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or until the meat is very tender and pulls apart easily.
3. Step 3: While the pork cooks, prepare the coleslaw by mixing 3 cups shredded green cabbage and 1 cup shredded carrot in a bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss the dressing with the cabbage and carrot until well coated and refrigerate.
4. Step 4: When the pork is done, shred it with two forks and stir in 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce until fully combined.
5. Step 5: To assemble sandwiches, pile the pulled pork onto 8 hamburger buns and top with a generous scoop of the tangy coleslaw. Serve immediately.