Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Barbecue pulled pork sandwiches are on the top of my list of favorite foods. It is also a very American dish, which is perfect for the Fourth of July. 

The pork is slow-cooked in a crockpot making it tender, and it frees up the rest of your day to prepare other dishes or relax! I used a pork shoulder, which results in a meat that you cut into small pieces once cooked. A pork butt is shredded and is a little more fatty. Either will work great for this meal.

The pork is topped with a coleslaw adding a crunch and more colors to the sandwich. The coleslaw pulls the whole sandwich together and is something you definitely don't want to leave out.

One of the best parts of getting barbecue food at a restaurant is the different flavors of barbecue sauce. I wanted to be able to have some variety in flavor so I added some extra ingredients to some original flavored barbecue sauce.

I made homemade rolls for the sandwiches and followed this recipe, which makes 6 rolls.


Pulled Pork
3 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon garlic
1 tablespoon dry mustard
3 tablespoons coarse salt
1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
1 (5-7 pund) pork shoulder or butt

1. Mix ingredients together and liberally rub into pork. 
2. Place pork in a crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours.
3. Remove from crockpot and shred (if butt) or cut (if shoulder). Return to crockpot to keep warm until ready to serve.

Coleslaw

1/4-1/2 a red cabbage

1 1/2 carrots, shredded

3 tablespoons dijon

3 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons white vinegar

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon hot sauce (I used Frank's, do not use a Mexican hot sauce)

1. Cut cabbage into long, thin strips. Shred carrots with a potato peeler. Place cabbage and carrots in a large bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk mustard and sugar together. Slowly add in oil, then vinegar, then hot sauce.
3. Pour dressing on carrots and cabbage, toss to coat.

Apricot Curry Barbecue Sauce

1 cup original flavored barbecue sauce (I used Kansas City)

3 tablespoons apricot preserves

1 tablespoon curry powder

1. In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients together

Cilantro Lime Barbecue Sauce

1 cup original flavored barbecue sauce

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, about 1 lime

1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped fine

1. In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients together

Spicy Honey Dijon Barbecue Sauce

1 cup original flavored barbecue sauce

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

1 tablespoon honey

1/8 teaspoon chili powder

1. In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients together