Sheet Pan Barbecue Pulled Pork with Honey Cornbread

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-cooked pulled pork with smoky barbecue spices roasted on a sheet pan alongside sweet honey cornbread for an easy Southern-inspired meal. This american southern-inspired pork ready in about 230 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 720 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: 210 min Serves 6 American Southern cuisine 720 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. Rub this spice mix all over 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Place the pork on a rimmed sheet pan and roast in the oven for 3 to 3 1/2 hours until the pork is tender and pulls apart easily.
  3. Step 3: While the pork roasts, whisk 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a medium bowl. In another bowl, combine 1 cup whole milk, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, and 3 tbsp honey. Stir wet ingredients into dry until just combined.
  4. Step 4: When pork is done, increase oven temperature to 375°F. Remove pork from the sheet pan and cover with foil to rest. Spread the cornbread batter evenly on a greased 9x9-inch baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  5. Step 5: Shred the pork using two forks and toss with 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1 cup barbecue sauce. Serve pulled pork alongside warm honey cornbread.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sheet Pan Barbecue Pulled Pork with Honey Cornbread take to make?

Total time is about 230 minutes (20 min prep + 210 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 Sheet Pan Barbecue Pulled Pork with Honey Cornbread?

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 Sheet Pan Barbecue Pulled Pork with Honey Cornbread?

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 Sheet Pan Barbecue Pulled Pork with Honey Cornbread 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 Sheet Pan Barbecue Pulled Pork with Honey Cornbread?

American Southern pork 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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