Springfield-Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Slaw

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-07 · Updated 2026-06-07

Slow-cooked pulled pork with a smoky spice rub served on toasted buns topped with a crisp and tangy cabbage slaw. This 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 480 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 3 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup carrot, shredded
• 8 hamburger buns

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Rub this spice mix all over 3 lbs pork shoulder evenly.
2. Step 2: Place the pork in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours until tender and easily shredded.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, and 1/3 cup mayonnaise in a bowl. Add 3 cups thinly sliced green cabbage and 1/2 cup shredded carrot, tossing to coat well. Refrigerate slaw covered.
4. Step 4: When pork is done, shred it with two forks, discarding excess fat. Stir some cooking juices into the meat to keep it moist.
5. Step 5: Toast 8 hamburger buns in a skillet or oven until golden. Pile each bun bottom with pulled pork and top with a generous spoonful of the tangy slaw. Serve immediately.