Spicy Jamaican Jerk Pulled Pork Sandwiches

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

Slow-cooked pulled pork infused with spicy Jamaican jerk seasoning, served on soft buns with a tangy slaw for a lively Caribbean-inspired sandwich. This caribbean-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder roast, jerk seasoning, brown sugar 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 Caribbean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder roast all over with 3 tbsp jerk seasoning and 1 tbsp brown sugar, letting it marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork on all sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  3. Step 3: Transfer the pork to a slow cooker, add 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare the slaw by mixing 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage, 1 medium shredded carrot, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl; refrigerate until serving.
  5. Step 5: Shred the cooked pork with two forks, discard any excess fat, and mix with the cooking juices.
  6. Step 6: To assemble, pile the jerk pulled pork onto 8 soft sandwich buns and top with a generous spoonful of the tangy slaw for contrast and crunch.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Jamaican Jerk Pulled Pork Sandwiches 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 Spicy Jamaican Jerk Pulled Pork Sandwiches?

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 roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Jamaican Jerk Pulled Pork Sandwiches?

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 Spicy Jamaican Jerk Pulled Pork Sandwiches 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 Spicy Jamaican Jerk Pulled Pork Sandwiches?

Caribbean sandwiches & wraps 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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