Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches that are tender and juicy thanks to slow cooking in apple cider and BBQ juice all day are pure perfection! Imagine the smell of this delicious pork waffling through your kitchen as it’s cooking slowly throughout the day! Your family’s mouth will be watering!
How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches are full of robust flavors and area perfect any time of the year.
Summer and BBQ Pork go hand in hand; however, you can make these tangy pork sandwiches any time of the year in your crock pot.
My crew loves eating outside during the Summer as much as we can. If your family does too, I have a few family favorites that will work fantastic for an outdoor picnic or lounging around on the deck. One cool idea that doesn’t require the oven to be turned on is my Grazing board. Another great cool idea is my Garlic Flatbread. One recipe that my family asks for a lot during the summer is my Apple Waldorf Salad.
Here’s Why This Recipe Works
Easy to make – since it slow cooks all day in the crock-pot, you just have to prep and then serve when it’s ready.
Versatile – you can eat it with bread or without bread. Totally up to you.
Taste-friendly – let’s be honest. There is nothing better than tangy and tender pulled pork.
Expert Tips, Ingredient List and Suggestions for Recipe Success
You will find a complete list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card below.
BBQ Sauce – you can use any flavor or homemade recipe you like.
Rolls – any bread preference you have will work.
Spinach – you do not need to add this. This is optional based on your family’s tastes.
What Sides Go with This Dish?
Lots of sides go quite well with pork sandwiches, however, these are the ones that work perfectly with slow cooker pulled pork.
Cornbread Muffins, BBQ Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Corn Fritters, Southern Deviled Eggs, and Homemade Mac ‘n Cheese.
What is The Best Cut of Pork?
Pulled pork can be made from any type of fatty pork roast. However, to get the most flavorful part of the hog, it is best to use pork shoulder for the pulled pork.
How to Eat Pulled Pork Without Bread?
If you haven’t had a pulled pork taco, then you don’t know what you are missing! It’s a totally different type of flavor profile and it’s a fantastic way to change up your taco night! Other ways to serve pulled pork without a bun are: Mashed potatoes, in a salad, in a wrap with hummus, on polenta, on tortillas, or added to chili.
Do You Cook Pork Fat Side Up or Down?
Anytime you are cooking pork, always cook with the fat side up. That way all of the fat drains into the pork while it’s cooking.
Can I Overcook Pork in a Slow Cooker?
Yes, if you cook it on high. The easiest thing to remember is that pork is better than you cook it slow and low.
Best Bread for Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Brioche, hands down is the best bread for these types of sandwiches if you can find it. If not, any type of sturdy buns or rolls will work.
What is the Best Cheese for Pulled Pork Sandwiches?
Normally you don’t think about cheese and pork when you are thinking about a pork sandwich, however, these two ingredients do pair well together. If you do have some cheese lovers in your family, offer up a plate full of cheddar, mozzarella, and or bleu cheese, or a combination of all of these along with your pork.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
I have found the best way to serve this up is to set up a station. I turn the pork down to warm in the slow cooker and arrange the buns on a plate. I let everyone add as much or as little pork as they would like and then add the toppings they want. That way they can totally customize the sandwich to their liking.
Step by Step Directions
A complete breakdown of the recipe instructions is in the printable recipe card below, however, here is a brief synopsis as well as a few photos.
Step 1: Sear the pork on both sides.
Step 2: Place the pork shoulder into the crock pot and place the ingredients on top of it. Make sure to set the slow cooker though to low heat and cook the pork slowly.
Related Recipes
Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Equipment
- Slow cooker
Ingredients
- Boneless pork shoulder for this recipe it was about 3.5 lbs
- 3 cups of apple cider
- 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
- 2 apples washed, peeled, core removed and cut into quarters
- 3 to 5 medium carrots washed, peeled, and thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Purple cabbage
- Cheese
- Spinach
- 12 Sturdy rolls
Instructions
- Heat a large sized non-stick pan to medium heat. Once the pan is heated, add in the olive oil and sauté the onions until they are golden brown, stirring them regularly so they don’t burn.
- While the onions are cooking, whisk the apple cider and the BBQ sauce together in the slow cooker.
Turn it to low or program it for low, 8 hours.
When the onions are done, remove them and set to the side in a small bowl.
Place the skillet back on the burner and turn the heat up to medium high. Place the pork shoulder into the skillet and sear (brown) the pork shoulder on all sides. Searing the pork helps to keep the juices inside of the
pork.
Once the pork has been seared, carefully set it into the slow cooker and in the liquids.
Lay the cut apples, carrots, and sautéed onions on top of the meat.
Place the cover on and cook for 6 to 8 hours until the pork is fall apart tender.
Pull the pork apart in the slow cooker using two forks. You will also want to remove any large fat pieces.
The carrots and apples should easily break down and mix nicely into everything.
We turned this into sandwiches and enjoyed a bit of purple cabbage on top of the sandwich.
To kick it up a notch, we’ll make garlic bread out of the rolls first and then top the rolls with the pulled pork.
Keep the rest of the meat in an airtight container in the fridge and eat it within 5 days of making.
Or you can label it and freeze it for up to two months.