Grilled Honey Boy’s BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

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

Slow-cooked pulled pork glazed with smoky BBQ sauce, served on toasted buns with crunchy coleslaw for a perfect balance of flavors and textures. This bbq & smoked-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, 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 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: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 BBQ & Smoked cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder with 2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder evenly. Place in slow cooker and pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar over it. Cook on low for 8 hours until tender and pulls apart easily.
  2. Step 2: Shred pork with two forks and stir in 3 tbsp honey and 1 cup BBQ sauce. Keep warm.
  3. Step 3: In a bowl, combine 3 cups coleslaw mix with 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp celery seed, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss until well coated.
  4. Step 4: Toast 6 buns on a grill or skillet until golden and slightly crispy, about 2 minutes per side.
  5. Step 5: Assemble sandwiches by piling pulled pork onto each toasted bun bottom, topping with a generous scoop of coleslaw, and covering with the bun tops.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Honey Boy’s BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich 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 Grilled Honey Boy’s BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich?

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 Grilled Honey Boy’s BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich?

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 Grilled Honey Boy’s BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich 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 Grilled Honey Boy’s BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich?

BBQ & Smoked sandwiches & wraps 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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