Spicy Southern-Style Pulled Pork with Tangy Coleslaw

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

Slow-cooked pulled pork with a spicy dry rub paired with crisp, tangy coleslaw for a classic Southern meal. This Southern American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, brown sugar, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 brown sugar
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp celery seed

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder to create a dry rub. Rub this mixture evenly over a 3 lb pork shoulder.
2. Step 2: Place the 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 the pork cooks, prepare the coleslaw by mixing 3 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded carrot, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/2 tsp celery seed in a large bowl. Toss until well coated and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Step 4: When the pork is done, shred it using two forks and mix with any juices from the slow cooker to keep it moist.
5. Step 5: Serve the pulled pork hot with a generous scoop of the tangy coleslaw on the side.