Southern-Style Pulled Pork Sandwich with Pickled Slaw

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

Slow-cooked pulled pork piled high on a toasted bun with tangy pickled slaw for a perfect balance of savory and bright flavors. This american-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, yellow mustard, paprika 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: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 2 tbsp yellow mustard, then coat with a dry rub made from 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tbsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Place pork shoulder in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours until the meat is tender and easily shredded.
  3. Step 3: While pork cooks, combine 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 tsp salt in a bowl; whisk until sugar dissolves.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 cups shredded green cabbage and 1 cup shredded carrot to the vinegar mixture, toss well, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to pickle.
  5. Step 5: Once pork is done, shred it with two forks and stir in any cooking juices for moisture.
  6. Step 6: Toast 6 hamburger buns brushed with 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden.
  7. Step 7: Assemble sandwiches by piling generous portions of pulled pork on the bottom buns, topping with pickled slaw and 2 dill pickle slices each, then cover with the top buns.
  8. Step 8: Serve warm with your choice of sides.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Southern-Style Pulled Pork Sandwich with Pickled Slaw 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 Southern-Style Pulled Pork Sandwich with Pickled 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 Southern-Style Pulled Pork Sandwich with Pickled 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 Southern-Style Pulled Pork Sandwich with Pickled 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 Southern-Style Pulled Pork Sandwich with Pickled Slaw?

American 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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