Grilled Southern-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

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

Tender pulled pork slow-cooked and finished on the grill, served on toasted buns with tangy coleslaw for classic Southern BBQ flavor. This american southern-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder (boneless), brown sugar, paprika 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: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 8 American Southern cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over all sides of the 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker and pour 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar around it. Cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is very tender and easily shredded.
  3. Step 3: While the pork cooks, prepare the coleslaw by combining 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate.
  4. Step 4: Once the pork is cooked, shred it with two forks and stir in 1 cup BBQ sauce until well coated.
  5. Step 5: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly toast 8 hamburger buns for 2 minutes until golden.
  6. Step 6: Assemble sandwiches by piling generous portions of pulled pork onto each toasted bun and topping with a scoop of prepared coleslaw.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Southern-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches take to make?

Total time is about 495 minutes (15 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 Southern-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches?

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 (boneless) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Southern-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches?

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 Southern-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches 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 Grilled Southern-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches?

American Southern 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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