Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Carolina-Style Vinegar Slaw

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

Juicy slow-smoked pulled pork piled high on a bun with a crisp Carolina-style vinegar slaw, inspired by Chicago’s diverse BBQ offerings. This american-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 740 minutes pairs pork shoulder, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 610 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: 20 min Cook: 720 min Serves 8 American cuisine 610 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp chili powder in a bowl. Rub this spice mix all over the 5 lbs pork shoulder, covering evenly. Let rest refrigerated for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to 225°F and smoke the pork shoulder for about 10-12 hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 195°F and pulls apart easily.
  3. Step 3: While pork smokes, whisk together 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, and 1 tbsp honey in a large bowl. Add 3 cups shredded green cabbage and 1 cup shredded carrot, tossing to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  4. Step 4: Once pork is done, let rest for 30 minutes, then shred with forks.
  5. Step 5: Serve pulled pork on 8 toasted hamburger buns topped generously with the vinegar slaw.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Small appliances → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Carolina-Style Vinegar Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 740 minutes (20 min prep + 720 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 Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Carolina-Style Vinegar 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 pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Carolina-Style Vinegar 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 Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Carolina-Style Vinegar Slaw 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 Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Carolina-Style Vinegar Slaw?

American 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.

Related recipes