This BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe might be the ultimate comfort food: fall-apart tender, juicy pork cooked to perfection, smothered in a delicious homemade barbecue sauce, and tucked between freshly toasted hamburger buns. Perfect for family cookouts, picnics, game days, or weeknight dinners!
If you’re in the mood for a juicy, tender, fall-apart, smoky BBQ pulled pork sandwich, look no more! So easy to make and such crowd-pleasers, these pork sandwiches are sure to become a staple in your kitchen. They require minimal effort, make loads, can be enjoyed any time of the year, and are perfect as make-ahead for large gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe
– Fall-apart tender pork – due to the slow cooking, which makes this a delicious meal that is so filling and comforting
– Full of delicious flavor – making every bite of this sandwich yummy and satisfying
– Easy to make – using simple ingredients and requiring only 15 minutes of hands-on work, this amazing pulled pork is cooked in the pressure cooker in just about one hour.
– Great way to feed a crowd – the perfect recipe for those gatherings where you need to feed a large crowd. Plus, everybody will love it! When it’s time to serve, just prepare the buns, the meat, and the sides, and let everyone else do the heavy lifting while having fun preparing their own sandwiches!
– Highly customizable – you can serve it whichever way you want – in sandwiches, burgers, wraps, quesadillas, dinner plates – paired with your favorite sides – mac and cheese, green beans, potato salad, creamed corn, etc.
– Great make-ahead – prepare your pulled pork ahead of time, and it will taste even better the next day. This makes it the perfect make-ahead meal!
Ingredients for This BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe
For the meat:
3-4 pound pork butt (pork shoulder, pork roast)
For the dry rub:
– yellow mustard
– brown sugar
– garlic powder
– onion powder
– thyme
– cumin
– smoked paprika
– salt
– freshly ground black pepper
– Cayenne pepper or hot sauce
For the sauce:
– BBQ sauce – homemade or store-bought
For the sandwich:
– hamburger buns, or Brioche buns
– coleslaw
Equipment:
– Pressure cooker, or Instant Pot
– Sharp knife
– Tongs
– Mixing bowls (large and medium)
– Wooden spoon
– Small saucepan (for homemade BBQ sauce)
– Whisk
– Forks for shredding
BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe at a Glance
How To Make This BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe
Step 1
Pat the pork butt dry with some paper towels and cut it into 4 inch pieces.
Step 2
In a small bowl, mix all of the dry ingredients.
Step 3
Rub the pork pieces with mustard. Then liberally coat with the dry rub on all sides pressing it into the meat, making sure it sticks well.
Step 4
Pour the olive oil into the pressure cooker and sear the pork pieces on both sides until dark brown. Remove the pork on a plate.
Step 5
Deglaze the pot with the chicken stock. Place the pork back in the pressure cooker and add the barbecue sauce. Cook for 70 minutes, until the meat falls apart when shredded.
Step 6
Meanwhile, toast the hamburger buns (optional).
Step 7
Take the pork meat out and shred with two forks. Add some of the braising liquid (around 1 cup). Add extra BBQ sauce to your liking.
Step 8
Assemble the sandwich: pile up the pulled-pork to your liking, add the coleslaw and top with the bun.
Storage and Reheating Tips for This BBQ Pulled Pork
Refrigerate:
Place the leftover BBQ pulled pork in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freeze:
Cook the pork and mix it with your BBQ sauce. Let it cool completely, then place it in Ziploc bags (push all the air out and flatten) or airtight containers and freeze. You can freeze your pulled pork for up to 3 months
Reheat:
There are several ways you can reheat your BBQ pulled pork. I recommend that you thaw it overnight in the fridge. To reheat:
– On the stove – place the pulled pork in a covered dish with a splash of chicken broth, apple juice, or just water and warm through.
– In the microwave – place the pulled pork in a microwave-safe dish and heat it through on medium power.
– In the oven – place the pulled pork on a baking tray and reheat at 350 degree F (175 degrees C) until warmed through, about 20-30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the best cut of pork for this BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe?
Pork shoulder, pork butt or pork sirloin roasts are ideal for BBQ pork sandwiches because they have a lot of marbling, and this fat will keep the meat juicy during cooking, and ultimately provide a great flavor to the pulled pork.
Can I make this BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe ahead of time?
Yes! To be honest, I think pulled pork actually tastes even better the next day. The delicious BBQ sauce has time to infuse the meat, and the result is a fully-flavored juicy BBQ pork .
What to put on a BBQ pork sandwich?
BBQ pork sandwich goes well with coleslaw, pickles, crispy onion rings, caramelized onions, bacon, sliced cheese
What is good with BBQ pork sandwich?
BBQ pork sandwich can be served with a side of French fries or chips, corn on the cob, pasta salad, baked beans, creamy potato salad, potato wedges, fresh salad.
How do I know when the pork is done cooking?
The pork should have an internal temperature of 195-205 degrees F (91-96 degrees C), so it can be easily shredded with a fork. If you feel the meat still has some resistance, it needs more time to cook.
Can I use a slow cooker for this BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe?
Yes! Instead of the pressure cooker, you can use a slow cooker for your pulled-pork, and the results will be just as great. In the slow-cooker, you will cook your pork for 7-8 hours on low, or for 5-6 hours on high, so that your pork is perfect fork-tender.
Can I cook my BBQ pulled-pork in the oven?
Of course! Depending on the size of your pork butt, cooking in the oven should take around 1 hour for every pound of meat. So, for a 4-pound piece of pork, it should take around 4 hours. After 4 hours, check if it is fork-tender; if not, cook for another half an hour.
What’s the best type of bun to use for this BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe?
Depending on your taste, you have several options. Brioche buns are a great choice for their buttery flavor and soft interior. But hamburger buns also work just as well. For sturdier sandwiches, you can use Kaiser rolls or even focaccia bread.
How do I serve BBQ pulled pork sandwiches for a crowd?
The easiest way to serve a crowd is to set up a buffet or a sandwich bar with buns and various toppings for easy self-serve. You can keep the shredded pork warm in a chafing dish or slow cooker.
This packed with flavor BBQ pork sandwich recipe is everything you need to wow your friends or family. So, give it a try, and don’t forget to grab your napkins… plenty of them!
And if you give this recipe a try (or add your own twist to it), drop a comment below. I’d love to hear what magic YOU cooked up in your own kitchen!
Other recipes you might like:
- Takeout Style Crispy Fried Chicken Wings Recipe
- Healthy Chicken Quesadilla Recipe (Quick and Easy!)
- Mac and Cheese Hot Dogs – So Cheesy and Gooey!
- Mom’s Creamy Potato Salad Recipe – Rich and Savory
- Corndog Recipe Without Cornmeal: Easy and Delicious
- Roast Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic
- Easy Fresh Blackberry Cobbler Recipe (Old-Fashioned)
BBQ PORK SANDWICH RECIPE: JUICY, TENDER, AND DELICIOUS
Ingredients
For the pulled pork
- 3 pound (1.3 kg) pork butt, boneless pork shoulder, pork sirloin roast
- 2 TBSP yellow mustard
- 2 TBSP brown sugar
- 1 TBSP garlic powder
- 1 TBSP onion powder
- 1 tsp thyme
- ½ tsp cumin
- 2 TBSP smoked paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp Cayenne pepper or hot sauce
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- 1 tsp liquid smoke (optional)
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock
For the BBQ sauce
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- ¼ cup black vinegar
- 3 TBSP apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ TBSP Worchestershire sauce
- ¼ cup molasses
- 7 ½ TBSP brown sugar
- 1 TBSP onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 TBSP yellow mustard
- 1 ½ TBSP lemon juice
- 1 anchovy (smashed into a paste)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp liquid smoke (optional)
Instructions
For the pulled pork
- Pat the pork butt dry with a paper towel.
- Cut the pork butt into 4 inch (10 cm) pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk all of the dry ingredients together: from brown sugar, to Cayenne pepper.
- Coat the pork pieces well with the yellow mustard, then sprinkle the dry rub liberally over each of the pork pieces. Make sure you press the dry rub into the meat and cover well.
- Add the olive oil to your pressure cooker and sear the pork pieces in batches (we don't want it to steam), on medium heat, until they have a nice brown color, around 2-2 1/2 minutes on each side.
- Once ready, take the meat out and deglaze with the chicken stock.
- Place pork back in the pressure cooker and add 1 1/2 cups of BBQ sauce and the liquid smoke.
- Cook for 70 minutes until the pork can be easily pulled apart.
- Remove the pork from the pressure cooker to a baking tray. Shred the meat using a couple of forks. Remove any large pieces of fat. Add some of the braising liquid to keep the meat juicy (around 1 cup). Add the BBQ sauce to taste (around 1/2 cup to 1 cup).
- Serve on toasted hamburger buns with extra BBQ sauce and coleslaw.
For the BBQ sauce
- In a small saucepan, combine all of the BBQ sauce ingredients.
- Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes, until thickened.
- Add the needed amount to the pulled pork. To refrigerate the leftover sauce, store in a jar for up to two weeks. To freeze, store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
To serve
- Lightly toast the hamburger buns.
- Pile the BBQ pulled pork on the toasted buns. Add extra sauce to your liking
- Top with creamy coleslaw
- Enjoy immediately!
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