Pulled pork is such a great main course or party food option, requiring only a few ingredients and minimal effort. But what do you serve alongside this savory sandwich? Read on for 33 ideas about what to serve with pulled pork!
Original post: May 2021 | Updated: August 2022
Don’t you love recipes that come together so effortlessly that you may as well have waved a magic wand? Pulled pork is one of those recipes. Head to the store, pick out a delectable-looking 3ish-pound pork roast, along with an onion, a can of beef broth and bbq sauce.
Now drive home, throw all of the above into your slow cooker and turn it on. That’s it. Walk away and when you come back, a steaming hot dinner is ready to serve guests or your hungry family.
This is the perfect party or dinner food for summer or any time of the year. It is super easy to make and it’s just so savory and delish. Read on for ideas about what to serve alongside this savory summer staple!
Check out my favorite bbq pulled pork recipe! This is such an easy crock pot recipe, requiring only 4 ingredients and minimal effort. It turns out juicy, flavorful and totally delicious every single time.
FAQ About Pulled Pork
It is not a necessity to bring pork to room temperature before cooking it. However! If you allow it to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, it will cook more evenly and the end product will be juicier and more flavorful. Consider adding this step into your recipe for an even yummier meal!
Pulled pork is best frozen after it has been cooked, shredded and cooled. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 months.
The ideal internal temperature for pulled pork is 205 degrees F.
The best cut of meat to use for pulled pork is the boneless pork shoulder, which could be labeled as such or also Boston butt (or just “pork butt”) or picnic roast.
Best Ways To Serve Pulled Pork
Pulled Pork Sandwiches – Spoon into hamburger buns or slices of bread to create the perfect bbq pulled pork sandwich. Don’t forget the barbecue sauce, pickles or relish!
Pork tacos – Pull out flour or corn tortillas and pile pork inside, creating the perfect easy taco. Top with sour cream, red onions, cilantro, lime juice, hot sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Pork nachos – Place tortilla chips in a single layer, followed by a layer of pulled pork and topped with toppings of your choice such as sharp cheddar cheese, jalapeno slices, guacamole and taco sauce.
Solo – No casing required! One of the best qualities about this recipe is its delicious flavor, so you can easily eat pulled pork solo or on top of a pile of mashed potatoes or cooked noodles. This is a great option if you’re looking for a gluten free way to enjoy this yummy dish.
What To Serve With Pulled Pork
Below is a great selection of dishes that would be perfect pulled pork sides!
- Fresh vegetables
- Fruit salad
- Baked potatoes, sweet potatoes or loaded baked potato rounds
- Green salad
- Cornbread or corn fritters
- Potato chips
- French fries
- Potato salad
- Baked beans
- Rolls or biscuits
- Onion rings
- Coleslaw
- Pasta salad or macaroni salad
- Sweet corn or Mexican street corn
- Black bean salad
- Honey butter biscuits
- Regular or spicy collard greens
Roasted Broccoli
Make this roasted broccoli recipe to accompany your next meal. Roasting broccoli is super easy and it is so good it tastes like candy!
Corn Tomato Avocado Salad
This Corn Tomato Avocado Salad (from Hot Pan Kitchen) is the perfect dish for summer. Made with grilled corn and topped with chopped basil and lime juice, it’s the a healthy side dish for BBQ season!
Avocado Ranch Dressing
This dressing is bursting with flavor. Fresh lime, cilantro and avocados create a delicious dressing you’ll want to lick off the spoon! Pour this creamy sauce over the top of your next pork sammy.
Baked Potatoes
Introducing the most Perfect Baked Potato Recipe that can easily be baked in your oven with no fuss! There’s a yummy, simple, secret ingredient that makes these baked potatoes even more perfect.
Chopped Salad
This is the best chopped salad recipe you’ll find. It makes a large batch to enjoy for lunch throughout the week or serve at your next gathering.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries is a delicious way to enjoy sweet potatoes! The air fryer works its magic and transforms them into a sweet or savory treat or side that will not last long.
Farro and Orange Salad
If salads could online date, this Farro and Orange Salad (from Josie + Nina) would have a full social calendar. Farro and Orange Salad complements a big grilled steak, balances spicy smoked pork, and shines at a girls’ lunch or a holiday buffet table.
Crock Pot Baked Beans
Slow cooker baked beans are the way to go! Once you try these, you’ll never eat them straight from the can again. Great for summer BBQs and game-day parties!
Dinner Rolls
These rolls are fluffy, slightly sweet and delicious and they go great with any meal, whether it is a large turkey dinner or a simple weeknight meal.
Whole30 Potato Chips
Make potato chips the healthy way! Whole30 chips are yummy and great as a side dish or snack. These baked chips are so much better than store bought!
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
This cornbread recipe made without buttermilk is the perfect side for any meal. Omit the jalapeño and cheese for a perfect go-to cornbread recipe.
Spicy Corn Mexican Salad
This Spicy Corn Mexican Salad (from That Skinny Chick Can Bake) has all the delicious flavors of elotes, or Mexican street corn, with no grilling involved. Just chop and mix and prepare to swoon!
Creamy Mushroom Soup
This creamy, rich soup is packed with delicious mushrooms and tons of flavor. A super affordable soup to make, this will fill everyone up! Dunk bread sticks or garlic bread into it or serve with a delicious side salad for a complete hearty meal.
Instant Pot Steamed Green Beans
Free up space on your stove top by preparing Instant Pot steamed green beans quickly and perfectly! Enjoy these crunchy-tender, healthy beans as a side dish for any meal. They cook perfectly every single time and will be done in minutes.
Creamy Sweet Potato Salad with Bacon
Sweet Potato Salad with Bacon (from Cathy’s Gluten Free) is a naturally sweet and creamy treat that I enjoy during the summer and all year round. It seems indulgent, but really – it’s not!
Mashed Potatoes
This is my mom’s perfect mashed potatoes recipe. It is the best side dish you’ll ever meet and it goes great with any meal, any time of the year.
Quinoa Edamame Salad
Quinoa Edamame Salad is great choice for parties and can be served in throw-away cups for serving ease. Also great as a salad to have in the fridge all week! Packed with fresh fruit and veggies and it is so healthy and delicious.
Baked Asparagus
Baked Asparagus is topped with a delicious, savory balsamic butter sauce. It cooks to perfection every time and makes the perfect side to any meal!
Fruit Salad
Put a delicious spin on your next summer gathering by learning how to make Fruit Salad step by step with a super-secret and unexpected ingredient. Simply mix together your favorite fresh summer fruits to enjoy a naturally sweet salad. This salad is a hit at parties!
Hawaiian Rolls
These Hawaiian Rolls (from Butter and Baggage) have just a hint of sweetness and are so so fluffy. EASY to make and perfect every time. The BEST yeast rolls you’ll ever make.
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes are easy and delish! Reduce cook time in half compared to baking and they turn out perfectly every time with little effort.
Twice Baked Potatoes
These ultimate twice baked potatoes are a delicious main or side dish. Comfort food at its best! Also acts as a meal to freeze and eat at a later time.
Instant Pot Red Potatoes with Garlic and Lemon
Delicious Instant Pot red potatoes are covered in a garlic lemon sauce. They cook quickly in your Instant Pot, freeing up space on your stove top. Great side dish recipe for your next holiday meal or intimate weeknight dinner!
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Learn how to make air fryer frozen tater tots quickly and deliciously in a matter of minutes. Straight from the freezer to your air fryer, these are the best tots you’ll make all year! Great replacement for boring French fries or shredded potatoes.
Kale Salad With Chickpeas
This kale salad with chickpeas recipe is a great lunch any day of the week. Or double the recipe and serve it at your next gathering. The different textures and bold flavors make this salad a keeper!
Asian Pasta Salad
Spruce up your party with an Asian Pasta Salad! Packed with an irresistible sweet and salty flavor and full of colorful, crunchy vegetables.
Instant Pot Potato Salad
Cook potatoes and eggs together in a single pot to make Instant Pot Potato Salad with Eggs. Done in less than 30 minutes and requires minimal clean-up. This is the perfect party food or summer side dish!
Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens
This Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens (from Cooking Chat) is the perfect side dish to serve as part of a meal inspired by “soul food” traditions. We cooked up this recipe as part of a meal that we served with a bottle of Pinot Noir from Maison Noir, as part of the Wine Pairing Weekend exploration of BIPOC owned wineries and BIPOC winemakers.
Instant Pot Potato Soup
This delicious and creamy Instant Pot Potato Soup is made even more delicious when made in a pressure cooker. Russet potatoes, carrots, celery and cream cheese transform this into a comforting and dreamy meal to enjoy on a chilly day!
Bok Choy Salad
This crunchy, veggie-packed bok choy salad is a great dish to bring to parties. Prepare just before serving. It will quickly become a salad favorite!
Gluten-Free Hashbrown Casserole
A crowd favorite for potlucks and parties, this gluten-free hashbrown casserole (from Wheat By The Wayside) is cheesy and delicious! This easy hashbrown casserole recipe is made without canned soup!
Coleslaw
Throwing together a delicious coleslaw recipe should be easy and simple. This classic crunchy slaw contains shredded cabbage, creamy vinaigrette dressing and it’s not loaded down with mayo! This will be your go-to slaw for a dinner side, picnic fare and fish tacos!
Spicy Chickpea Salad
Spicy Chickpea Salad is packed with fresh tasty vegetables and chickpeas. Each crunchy bite offers a scrumptious hearty mouthful. This is a great appetizer or side dish, it acts as a great topping for chicken and it is also a delicious wrap filling!
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