Memorial Day Grilled BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

Juicy, slow-cooked pulled pork with smoky barbecue sauce, piled high on soft buns — a perfect dish for summer remembrance gatherings. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 255 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 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
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 8 hamburger buns
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix all over 3 lbs pork shoulder.
2. Step 2: Place the seasoned pork shoulder in a roasting pan, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, cover tightly with foil, and roast for 4 hours until very tender and easily shredded.
3. Step 3: Remove pork from oven and shred with two forks. Stir in 1 cup barbecue sauce and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, mixing thoroughly.
4. Step 4: Toast 8 hamburger buns on the grill or in a skillet until lightly browned. Pile the pulled pork generously on the buns and serve immediately.