Southern-Style Spiced Pulled Pork Sandwich

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

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.

Tender pulled pork seasoned with a smoky southern spice blend, served on a soft bun with classic BBQ toppings for an easy hearty sandwich. This Southern American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, brown sugar, smoked 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: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Southern American cuisine 550 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 lbs pork shoulder
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
6 hamburger buns
1 cup, for topping coleslaw

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Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the spice rub.
Step 2: Rub the 3 lbs pork shoulder thoroughly with the spice blend, massaging it into all sides.
Step 3: Place the pork shoulder into a slow cooker and pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar over the top.
Step 4: Cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
Step 5: Remove the pork from the slow cooker, shred using two forks, and discard any large pieces of fat.
Step 6: Mix 1/2 cup barbecue sauce into the shredded pork to coat evenly.
Step 7: Toast 6 hamburger buns lightly, then pile generous portions of the pulled pork onto each bun.
Step 8: Top each sandwich with about 2 tbsp of coleslaw and serve immediately.