The 20 Best Side Dishes For Pulled Pork Sandwiches

The humble pulled pork sandwich is a hero dish in our house. It is a perfect way to use up leftovers, it is completely customizable (so even the pickiest eaters will be satisfied), and most importantly of all, it is absolutely delicious. 

However, more often than not, a pulled pork sandwich won’t fill up the average adult. As such, whether you’re hoping to serve these sandwiches at a BBQ, or simply as an evening family dinner, it is necessary to whip up some side dishes. 

That’s where we come in. Below, we’ve listed our favorite side dishes that work to elevate pulled pork sandwiches.

Whether you fancy something traditional or you’re a foodie who loves to experiment, we’ve got you covered. 

1. Classic Slaw

We had to kick things off with a classic. You can never go wrong with a good, tangy coleslaw. This one, in particular, has a simple dressing that provides the ideal balance of sweet, creamy, and tangy flavors.

We love adding shredded carrot or cabbage for a pop of color. 

2. Grilled Corn With Spicy Aioli 

If you’re hosting a BBQ, this grilled corn recipe must make an appearance. There is no doubt that this side dish makes every summer meal better.

For the best results, don’t hold back with the butter, salt, and garlic powder! If you like your food to have some extra spice, feel free to increase the amount of Sriracha in the recipe too. 

3. Slow-Cooker Baked Beans

If you want a comforting and low-maintenance dish to accompany your pulled pork sandwiches, these slow-cooked baked beans will be perfect.

You cook them entirely in the slow-cooker, so you can go about your chores (or enjoy a lazy afternoon) as they cook to perfection!

4. Roasted Red Onions

The humble onion is often overlooked as a side dish. However, these roasted red onions work beautifully with pulled pork sandwiches.

They take just 30 minutes to make in total and require only 3 ingredients. But, don’t let this simplicity fool you, they are the perfect addition to the table, regardless of the occasion!

5. Hawaiian Potato Salad

We love hosting a BBQ. What could be better than enjoying good food with family and friends? However, we know that BBQ food can get a bit tiresome.

If you feel the same, we highly recommend that you try this Hawaiian potato salad recipe. It puts a fresh and fun twist on a classic dish!

6. Fried Okra

Most veggies make a great side dish for pulled pork sandwiches. And, this fried okra recipe is absolutely no exception!

To get the perfect results, we recommend using an instant-read thermometer to make sure that the oil remains at a suitable temperature. 

7. Cucumber Salad

If you want a fresh and zingy side dish to combat the heaviness of your pulled pork sandwiches, we cannot recommend this cucumber salad enough.

It takes just 30 minutes to make, and it truly is the perfect summer side dish!

8. Hush Puppies

You can never go wrong with hush puppies. This southern specialty makes for a perfect, indulgent side dish.

They are deep-fried balls made from cornmeal batter, and they work beautifully with tender and flaky pork meat. 

9. Jalapeno-Avocado Mac And Cheese

Whether you’re putting on a spread, or you are simply craving a comfort meal, you have to give this jalapeno-avocado mac and cheese recipe.

It is super creamy, bursting with flavor, and when paired with a pulled pork sandwich, will leave you feeling incredibly satisfied. Feel free to add more chiles if you love a bit of heat!

10. Grilled Zucchini And Squash 

If you’re hosting a summer party, then it’s likely that you’ll want to throw as much food as possible on the grill.

If this is the case, you will love this grilled zucchini and squash recipe. It is simple, fresh, delicious, and looks beautiful on the table. 

11. Baked French Fries

It’s impossible to name a better pairing than crunchy French fries and tender, juicy pulled pork sandwiches. These French fries are perfect for a quick dinner.

Baking the fries means that you can save money, and you can feel a bit better knowing that they are healthier than their fried counterparts. 

12. Picnic Potato Salad

We couldn’t write this list without including a classic potato salad. However, this one comes with a bit of a twist – it doesn’t include mayonnaise!

Instead, the dressing for this salad relies on balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and an array of fresh herbs. It also incorporates crumbled blue cheese, but this isn’t a necessity. 

13. Slow Cooked Collard Greens

Don’t let the cooking time of this recipe put you off. It takes 8 hours and 35 minutes to make, however, it requires just 15 minutes of prep.

As such, you can go about your daily business as these delicious, healthy, and tender greens cook to perfection in the slow cooker. This recipe serves 4, so increase the proportions if you’re cooking for a party!

14. Air Fryer Asparagus

If you like the idea of serving greens with your pulled pork sandwiches, but the recipe above isn’t up your street, we think that you’d love this air fryer asparagus recipe.

It produces asparagus with crispy tips and tender stalks, and it requires just 4 ingredients! This side dish is also keto-friendly. 

15. Corn Fritters

Corn fritters always go down well with guests, so if you give this recipe a try, be sure to make a large batch!

These hot and crispy fritters work beautifully as a side for pulled pork sandwiches. We love serving them with sour cream or garlic aioli, but feel free to use your favorite dips! 

16. BLT Pasta Salad

This BLT pasta salad is a perfect addition to a summer party. It is bright, refreshing, light, and still bursting with flavor. It works perfectly alongside pulled pork sandwiches and other summer staples.

For the best results, try to use veggies that are as fresh as possible to provide that super satisfying crunch. 

17. Roasted Parmesan Green Beans

If you grow your own veg or know someone that does, it’s likely that you’re overrun with green beans in the summer month. So, why not make them into a tasty side dish?

This roasted parmesan green beans recipe is fresh, crunchy, and super tasty! Even the pickiest of eaters will love this veggie plate. 

18. Cajun French Fries

If you love a french fry but fancy putting a twist on the classic side dish, we highly recommend these Cajun French fries.

They are crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and they are coaxed with an irresistible combination of seasonings that provide an authentic Cajun kick. 

19. Fruit Salad

A fruit salad may not be the first side dish to come to mind when you think of pulled pork sandwiches.

However, if you have a sweet tooth and fancy something that will cut through the heaviness of the pulled pork and bread, this fruit salad recipe might be perfect for you. Feel free to swap out the ingredients for your favorite fruits, or for those that are in season. 

20. Succotash

Finally, we had to include this succotash recipe. It is simple, healthy, full of flavor, and looks just gorgeous on the table. This specific recipe calls for the use of paprika, garlic salt, and thyme.

However, feel free to throw in your favorite seasonings if these don’t sound right to you. You can also add your favorite veggies, such as cherry tomatoes or okra. 

Conclusion 

Pulled pork sandwiches are perfect for any occasion. However, they really come to life when paired with the perfect side dishes.

We hope that this list has inspired you to try something new in the kitchen!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve never made a pulled pork sandwich before, the process can be a bit intimidating. That’s why we’ve included our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding pulled pork sandwiches below. Take a look – you’ll be an expert in no time!

What Goes Well On Pulled Pork Sandwiches? 

To really elevate your pulled pork sandwich, you have to choose the other fillings carefully. For the perfect sandwich, you need the perfect combination of flavors and textures. Below, we’ve listed our favorite fillings – check them out! You won’t be disappointed. 

• Coleslaw and pickles. 
• Mango salsa.
• Pimento cheese.
• Sun-dried tomatoes.
• Onion rings.
• Kimchi.
• Honey mustard

What’s The Best Meat For Pulled Pork Sandwiches? 

When it comes to pulled pork sandwiches, the pork is obviously the star of the show.

As such, it’s important to choose your pork wisely. For the best results, we recommend using pork shoulder for pulled pork sandwiches.

The shoulder is perfect for all pulled pork dishes. It has the perfect fat content, meaning that it provides beautifully tender meat that melts in the mouth! However, it is important that you cook it slowly. If you don’t, the texture won’t be right. 

What Kind Of Bread Should You Use For Pulled Pork Sandwiches? 

This question is hard to answer because it is largely down to personal preference.

Generally speaking, brioche buns are perfect for pulled pork sandwiches. However, if you plan on dipping your sandwich into gravy, a fresh crusty roll may be ideal.