15 Best Sides to Serve with Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Round out your plate with summery pasta salads and slaws.
Pulled pork was practically made for summer cookouts. It’s seasoned, slow-cooked until it falls apart, and shredded to perfection. Not to mention, it holds up in all kinds of leftover pulled pork recipes. “You can do absolutely anything with this meat: sandwiches on Texas toast, nachos, even pizza,” Ree Drummond says. But one of the most popular ways to enjoy pulled pork is slathered in BBQ sauce and stuffed between a buttery bun.
Pulled pork sandwiches are super satisfying on their own, but to make them a full meal, you’ll need to pair them with a round of delicious sides. Some of the best side dishes for pulled pork sandwiches complement the smoky, savory, slightly sweet flavors of the meat. That means refreshing, crunchy sides that cut through the heaviness of the pork (think coleslaw recipes, juicy watermelon, and grilled corn) along with creamy, comforting classics like mac and cheese and baked beans, which are basically made for backyard BBQs.
This list of delicious sides to serve with pulled pork sandwiches includes fun twists on the classics, such as a lemon-herb pasta salad tossed in a zippy dressing and a loaded potato salad packed with bacon, cheese, and chives. If you’re making a casual summer dinner for a busy weeknight, stick to kid-friendly choices like French fries or onion rings. But if you’re throwing an outdoor gathering, upgrade your menu with skillet-baked cornbread or a tomato-cucumber salad with a sprinkle of feta. Looking for more ideas? Scroll through this collection of the best side dishes for pulled pork sandwiches. While you’re at it, why not peruse the best sides for burgers and the best sides for hot dogs next?
Lemon Herb Pasta Salad
A light, refreshing pasta salad is the perfect complement to pulled pork. Mixed with juicy peas, salty feta, marinated artichokes, and a tangy mustard dressing, this one will surely brighten up your plate.
Get the Lemon Herb Pasta Salad recipe.
Grilled Corn On The Cob
Corn on the cob is the ultimate side for so many summer dishes, including pulled pork sandwiches. To give your main a boost without overpowering it, brush the grilled kernels with garlic-chive butter.
Get the Grilled Corn On The Cob recipe.
Dill Pickle Slaw
You can’t go wrong with crunchy coleslaw, whether it’s served on your sandwich or on the same plate. Instead of the typical mayo-based dressing, try a tangy medley made with dill pickle juice and mustard—flavors that’ll offset the pork’s richness.
Get Ree’s Dill Pickle Slaw recipe.
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
If you are craving an indulgent meal, potato salad is pulled pork’s ideal companion. In addition to wholesome potatoes and a creamy dressing, this side is loaded with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and fresh chives.
Get the Loaded Baked Potato Salad recipe.
Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad
A side of cool cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, crumbly feta, and fresh herbs will make your pulled pork sandwiches taste substantial yet light enough for a cookout. What’s more, this recipe takes 15 minutes to make!
Get Ree’s Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad recipe.
The Best Baked Beans Ever
For a summer meal that’s straight comfort food, serve pulled pork sandwiches with baked beans. The vinegar, mustard, and brown sugar give the side a smoky, slightly sweet flair, while the bacon adds an irresistible crunch.
Get Ree’s Best Baked Beans Ever recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese
If you want to go all out with cozy comfort, a scoop of mac and cheese will get the job done. Ree’s version is full of creamy, cheesy, crowd-pleasing flavor that naturally reinforce smoky pulled pork.
Get Ree’s Macaroni and Cheese recipe.
Watermelon with Lime Sugar
For a quick side that you can whip up in five minutes tops, give sliced watermelon a zesty spin with a sprinkle of lime sugar. The fresh, juicy flavors will keep your meal light, bright, and summery.
Get Ree’s Watermelon with Lime Sugar recipe.
Air Fryer French Fries
If you’re craving something fried and salty on the side, why not go for a classic? French fries are always a hit. For a lighter take that uses less oil, cook yours in an air fryer.
Get the Air Fryer French Fries recipe.
Skillet Cornbread
A thick slice of cornbread won’t just make your pulled pork sandwich taste even cozier, but it’ll also give you something to soak up all the juices. Made in a skillet, this recipe strikes a balance between light and airy, crispy and golden.
Get Ree’s Skillet Cornbread recipe.
Quick Pickles
It doesn’t matter if they’re served on the side or piled on top—pickles are one of the best sides for pulled pork sandwiches! With this 15-minute recipe, you can make your own without using canning equipment or waiting weeks on end.
Get Ree’s Quick Pickles recipe.
Collard Greens
To keep your pulled pork sandwich from feeling overly heavy, add a scoop of collard greens on the side. The silky texture and slightly bitter taste will cut through the fatty richness of the pulled pork.
Get the Collard Greens recipe.
Onion Rings
For a crowd-pleasing side that’ll keep everyone coming back for seconds, round off their plates with onion rings. Serve hot with ranch dressing and the sweet flavor of onions complement the smoky flavor of pork.
Get the Onion Rings recipe.
Pickled Deviled Eggs
Sure, you can pickle vegetables for you pulled pork sandwiches, but adding the tangy, briny flavors to deviled eggs will blow everyone at the table away. On top of that, the pretty pink color will give your plate a jaw-dropping touch.
Get the Pickled Deviled Eggs recipe.
Broccoli Salad
Crunchy broccoli tossed with shredded cheese, bacon bits, and dried cranberries has all the texture and flavor you need with pulled pork. It’s also a 15-minute dish that you can make ahead of time!
Get the Broccoli Salad recipe.
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