Southern-Style Pulled Pork Sandwich with Tangy Slaw

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

Slow-cooked pulled pork piled high on a soft bun with a crunchy, tangy cabbage slaw for a classic Southern sandwich experience. This Southern American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, yellow mustard, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 cups coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp honey
• 6 soft sandwich buns

Slow cookers worth buying for this → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create a spice rub.
2. Step 2: Rub the spice mixture evenly over all sides of the 3 lbs pork shoulder.
3. Step 3: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours until the meat is tender and easily shredded.
4. Step 4: While the pork cooks, prepare the slaw by whisking together 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, and 1 tbsp honey in a large bowl.
5. Step 5: Add 3 cups coleslaw mix to the dressing and toss until the vegetables are fully coated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
6. Step 6: Once the pork is done, shred it with two forks and mix with the cooking juices for moisture.
7. Step 7: To assemble, pile generous portions of pulled pork onto 6 soft sandwich buns and top with a heap of the prepared tangy slaw.
8. Step 8: Serve immediately while warm.