Smoked Applewood Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Slaw

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender smoked pulled pork infused with applewood smoke, layered on soft buns with a crisp, tangy cabbage slaw. This bbq & smoked-inspired pork ready in about 405 minutes pairs pork shoulder, applewood chips, 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 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: 45 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 BBQ & Smoked cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and soak 1 cup applewood chips in water for 30 minutes. Combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a bowl; rub evenly over 3 lbs pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Place the pork on the smoker rack and add the soaked applewood chips. Smoke for 6 hours, maintaining 225°F, until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender enough to pull apart.
  3. Step 3: While the pork smokes, prepare the slaw: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp olive oil until emulsified.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 cups shredded green cabbage, 2 cups shredded red cabbage, and 1 large shredded carrot to the dressing. Toss until all vegetables are coated and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  5. Step 5: Once the pork is done, let it rest for 20 minutes, then shred it using two forks. Serve the pulled pork on 6 hamburger buns topped generously with the tangy slaw.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoked Applewood Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 405 minutes (45 min prep + 360 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 Smoked Applewood 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 pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Applewood 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 Smoked Applewood 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 Smoked Applewood Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Slaw?

BBQ & Smoked 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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