Smoked Memphis-Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Coleslaw
Tender smoked pulled pork piled high on toasted buns, topped with a crisp and tangy homemade coleslaw for a classic Memphis barbecue experience. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder (bone-in), 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 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
- 4 lbs pork shoulder (bone-in)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 8 hamburger buns
- 3 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for slaw)
- 1 tbsp sugar (for slaw)
- 1/2 tsp salt (for slaw)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (for slaw)
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp chili powder in a bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over a 4 lb pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Place the pork shoulder in the smoker and cook for 6-8 hours until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender enough to pull apart easily.
- Step 3: Mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup water and spritz the pork every hour during smoking to keep it moist.
- Step 4: While the pork smokes, prepare the coleslaw by combining 3 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded red cabbage, and 1 cup shredded carrot in a large bowl.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Pour this dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Step 6: When the pork is done, shred it with two forks and toss with any juices from the smoker.
- Step 7: Toast 8 hamburger buns until golden. Pile each bun with a generous portion of pulled pork and top with the tangy coleslaw before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Memphis-Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Coleslaw take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Memphis-Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Coleslaw?
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 (bone-in) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Memphis-Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Coleslaw?
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 Memphis-Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Coleslaw 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 Smoked Memphis-Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Coleslaw?
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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