Memphis-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Slaw

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

Slow-roasted pulled pork with a sweet and tangy Memphis-style dry rub, served on soft buns with crunchy vinegar slaw. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 320 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, brown sugar, paprika 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: 300 min Serves 6 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, and 1 tsp cayenne pepper to create a dry rub.
  2. Step 2: Rub the 3 lb boneless pork shoulder evenly with 1 tbsp olive oil, then coat all sides thoroughly with the dry rub.
  3. Step 3: Place the pork in a roasting pan and cover tightly with foil. Roast for 4-5 hours until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: While pork cooks, combine 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 cups shredded green cabbage, and 1 medium shredded carrot in a bowl. Mix well and chill to develop the tangy slaw.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork from oven and shred using two forks. Serve generous portions of pulled pork on 6 soft sandwich buns topped with the chilled vinegar slaw.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Memphis-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 320 minutes (20 min prep + 300 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 Memphis-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy 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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Memphis-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy 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 Memphis-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy 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 Memphis-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy 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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