If you’re feeding a crowd, there’s not many recipes easier or more beloved than slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches topped with a simple, crunchy, vinegar-dressed slaw.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Whether it’s summer get togethers or a laid back game day gathered ’round the TV, there’s no better option for easy eats like pulled pork sandwiches. They’re simple to make, easily customizable, and it’s rare I don’t hear enthusiastic, “Oh, that sounds so good” from those I’m making them for.
These sandwiches start with my slow cooker pulled pork that seriously tastes even better the longer it sits in the fridge, making it perfect for make-ahead menus and weekly meal planning.
And in the world of recipe making, how many can claim that distinction?!
How to Make Pulled Pork Sandwiches
These sandwiches start with a pork butt or pork shoulder roast cooked in the Crock Pot then shredded and mixed with the sauce it’s cooked in. The slow cooker tenderizes the meat just right, making it a super simple option for when life is busy but you still want to have fun—inside and outside of the kitchen.
Get my Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe here with all the tips and tricks to make it a success every time.
see more: 50 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Dinner
The Best Toppings for Pulled Pork Sandwiches
I love a great pulled pork sandwich, but they’re even better thanks to the toppings I can’t get enough of like these:
- Horseradish Sauce: Mix together sour cream or Greek yogurt with prepared horseradish for a hot flavor bite.
- Classic Coleslaw: A simple slaw with a vinegar tang gives a crunchy bite to these succulent sandwiches.
- BBQ Sauce: I reserve the sauce the pork is slow cooked in and add half of it to the shredded pork, then give the rest of it a whiz in the blender to use as a dipping sauce if I’m really feeling into it.
- Also adds: Potato chips, fresh sliced or caramelized onions, melted cheese, homemade pickles, and even pickled jalapeños are so good too.
I always choose a super soft bun or roll for my favorite pulled pork sandwiches. Basic grocery store hamburger buns work for family dinner, or choose smaller rolls if you’re feeding a bigger party crowd to make the recipe go further.
see more: 31 Days of Comfort Food Favorites to Make Now
Good Side Dishes with Pulled Pork Sandwiches
There are lots of favorite sides to add to these sandwiches to make a meal, like:
- Heavenly Funeral Potatoes
- How To Make The Best Potato Salad
- How To Make Classic Macaroni Salad
- The Best Homemade Mac And Cheese
- The Best BBQ Baked Beans
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Bookmark this recipe and leave a comment below, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Ingredients
For the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar divided
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 5-pound bone-in pork butt (shoulder roast)
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 medium white onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced or pressed
- 1/2 cup beef or chicken stock
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
For the Crunchy Coleslaw
- 10 cups shredded coleslaw mix or 1 16-ounce bag
- 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Sandwiches
- 12 hamburger buns or rolls
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup prepared horseradish or more to taste
Instructions
For the Slow Cooker Pork
- Set a 6 quart slow cooker to high to preheat.
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, paprika, cumin, coriander, kosher salt and black pepper together. Rub half of the mixture on the pork, setting aside the remaining spice rub. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or high sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork to the pan and brown evenly on each side, about 5 minutes per side.
- Add the onion and garlic to the slow cooker and top with the pork butt. In a bowl or measuring cup, mix the remaining spice rub with the stock, ketchup, and vinegar then pour over the pork. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, or until fork tender.
- Place the pork on a baking sheet or cutting board and let rest for 20-30 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Shred the pork into pieces and place in a bowl or back into the slow cooker insert.
- Skim the fat from the cooking liquid and transfer to a blender. Blend until smooth then pour 1-2 cups of the liquid over the shredded pork and toss to combine.
For the Coleslaw
- Toss the coleslaw mix and red onion with the canola oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, caraway seeds, celery seed, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour for flavors to blend.
To Assemble the Sandwiches
- In a small bowl, mix the sour cream with the prepared horseradish, adding more to taste.
- Slather the horseradish mayo on one side of a bun, then top it with the shredded pork and crunchy slaw. Serve warm with extra dipping sauce if desired.
Nutrition
More Slow Cooker Recipes to Feed a Crowd
- Butternut Squash Beef Stew (Instant Pot, Pressure Cooker Or Slow Cooker)
- Slow Cooker Corned Beef And Cabbage
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Chili
- Slow Cooker Hatch Green Chile Verde
- Vegetarian Crockpot Lasagna Soup
- Slow Cooker Mexican Pot Roast
More Pork Recipes to Try for Dinner Too
- Braised Pork Roast In Almond Milk
- Quick And Easy Homemade Chile Verde Burritos
- Grandma’s Easy German Schnitzel
- Baby Back Ribs In The Instant Pot
- Slow Cooker Smoky Pulled Pork Tacos
- Grilled Pork Chops With Spicy Balsamic Grilled Peaches
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