Wood-Fired Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Carolina Vinegar Slaw

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-08 · Updated 2026-08-08

Tender wood-fired smoked pulled pork piled high on toasted buns with a bright, tangy Carolina-style vinegar slaw for contrast. This American-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs pork shoulder (bone-in), smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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

• 4 lbs pork shoulder (bone-in)
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup yellow mustard
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 4 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1 large, shredded carrot
• 8, toasted hamburger buns

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this pork with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon salt, and 2 teaspoons black pepper in a bowl. Rub this spice mixture all over 4 pounds pork shoulder evenly.
2. Step 2: Prepare a wood-fired grill or smoker at 225°F. Place pork shoulder on the grill and smoke for about 8 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and meat is tender enough to pull apart easily.
3. Step 3: While pork smokes, whisk together 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup yellow mustard, and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Toss 4 cups shredded green cabbage and 1 large shredded carrot in this vinegar dressing to create a bright Carolina slaw.
4. Step 4: Remove pork from smoker and let rest for 20 minutes. Use two forks to shred the pork into bite-sized pieces.
5. Step 5: Serve pulled pork piled generously on 8 toasted hamburger buns topped with the vinegar slaw for a classic Carolina-style sandwich experience.