BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Juicy BBQ pulled pork sandwiches are made with slow cooked pork and piled high on soft buns. An easy, flavorful meal that’s perfect for feeding a crowd!

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BBQ Pork Sandwich Recipe

Whenever we make my easy BBQ pulled pork, it almost always ends up piled onto soft hamburger buns with our favorite toppings. These BBQ pulled pork sandwiches (or pulled pork sliders) are packed with sweet, tangy, smoky flavor thanks to BBQ sauce.

One of the best parts about this recipe, and my slow cooker BBQ brisket sandwiches, is how hands-off it is. Just add the pork to the crockpot, cook until tender, then shred and toss with BBQ sauce. A BBQ sandwich is an easy, crowd-pleasing option for game day, summer parties or a weeknight dinner!

Ingredient Notes

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Pork loin: A slightly fattier cut that stays tender and juicy in the slow cooker.
• Salt: Kosher salt helps season the pork and balance the flavors.
• Black pepper: Adds a little kick and depth of flavor.
• BBQ sauce: Use your favorite store-bought sauce or try my homemade BBQ sauce for extra flavor.
• Liquid smoke: Adds a subtle smoky flavor for that classic BBQ taste. A little goes a long way, and I don’t recommend skipping it since it adds so much flavor.
• Hamburger buns: Use soft buns that can hold all that juicy pulled pork. A hoagie bun could also be used!

How to Make BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Start by rinsing the pork, then pat it dry well and cut it into 3 large pieces. This helps it cook more evenly and shred easier later.

Place the pork in the slow cooker and pierce it several times so the flavor can soak in. Add 1 cup of water, then drizzle the liquid smoke over the top and finish with a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender and shreds easily.

Once it’s done, transfer the pork to a plate and shred it with two forks, removing any large pieces of fat as you go. Carefully pour off most of the liquid from the slow cooker, then return the shredded pork to the pot.

Add 1 to 2 cups of BBQ sauce and stir until the pork is well coated, then turn the slow cooker to warm and let it heat through. Pile the pork onto soft buns and add your favorite toppings like coleslaw for the perfect BBQ pulled pork sandwich.

Recipe Tips

• Type of pork. Boneless pork loin or pork shoulder both work well here. They have enough fat to stay tender and juicy during the long cook time.
• Keep the lid on. As tempting as it is, don’t lift the lid while it cooks. Keeping it covered helps trap the heat and moisture so the pork turns out perfectly tender and juicy.
• Let it sit. After shredding, return the pork to the slow cooker with the sauce and let it sit for about 15 minutes. This helps the meat soak up even more flavor.
• Toast the buns. Lightly toasting the buns helps prevent them from getting soggy. You can even add a little garlic herb butter before toasting for extra flavor.
• Serving size. Plan on about 4 to 5 slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches per pound of pork, depending on bun size and how full you like them.

Favorite Pulled Pork Sandwich Toppings

These BBQ pulled pork sandwiches are easy to customize with your favorite toppings. Add a little crunch, something tangy, or a bit of sweetness to balance the rich, saucy pork.

• Creamy coleslaw (or plain fresh cabbage)
• Pickles
• Lettuce
• Jalapenos
• Pickled onions
• Sliced cheese
• Tomatoes

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