Smoky Mesquite BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Slow-cooked pork shoulder infused with smoky mesquite flavor, shredded and served in soft buns with tangy coleslaw. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, mesquite BBQ sauce, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 480 min Serves 8 American cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 lbs pork shoulder
1 cup mesquite BBQ sauce
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp honey
3 cups coleslaw mix
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp yellow mustard
2 tbsp apple juice
8 hamburger buns

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Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub the spice mix evenly over 3 lbs pork shoulder.
Step 2: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker and pour 1 cup mesquite BBQ sauce and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar over it. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork is tender and easily shredded.
Step 3: While pork cooks, in a medium bowl, mix 3 cups coleslaw mix with 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, and 2 tbsp apple juice. Stir until creamy and refrigerate.
Step 4: When pork is done, remove it from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to coat with cooking juices.
Step 5: To serve, pile generous amounts of pulled pork on 8 hamburger buns and top with prepared coleslaw. Optionally, add extra BBQ sauce for more flavor.