Best 2 Healthier Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipes
Indulge in the smoky, tender delight of our healthier pulled pork sandwiches, a guilt-free culinary journey that combines taste and wellness. This recipe collection presents three variations tailored to diverse dietary preferences and health goals.
For the classic pulled pork experience, our original recipe stays true to tradition, using lean pork shoulder slow-cooked to perfection in a symphony of spices and tangy barbecue sauce.
Our leaner version caters to the health-conscious, featuring leaner pork tenderloin and a lighter barbecue sauce, resulting in a flavorful yet balanced meal.
For a plant-based alternative, our vegetarian pulled "pork" sandwich reimagines the classic dish with tender jackfruit, infused with smoky spices and a tangy barbecue sauce, offering a meatless option that's equally satisfying.
These pulled pork sandwiches are not just delicious but also versatile. Serve them on soft buns, piled high with coleslaw, pickles, and your favorite toppings. Or, enjoy them as a protein-packed salad, topped with a drizzle of barbecue sauce and a sprinkle of crispy onions. The possibilities are endless, making these sandwiches a perfect choice for picnics, potlucks, or a cozy family dinner.
Each recipe includes detailed instructions, cooking tips, and serving suggestions, ensuring a successful culinary adventure. So, grab your aprons, fire up the grill or slow cooker, and embark on a tastebud-tingling journey with our healthier pulled pork sandwiches.
OVEN-ROASTED PULLED PORK SANDWICHES
Tyler Florence brings barbecue flavor indoors with a flavorful dry rub for his Oven-Roasted Pulled Pork Sandwiches recipe from Food Network.
Provided by Tyler Florence
Categories main-dish
Time P1DT6h15m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 30
Steps:
- Mix the paprika, garlic power, brown sugar, dry mustard, and salt together in a small bowl. Rub the spice blend all over the pork and marinate for as long as you have time for, as little as 1 hour or up to overnight, covered, in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Put the pork in a roasting pan and bake for about 6 hours. Basically, roast the pork until it's falling apart and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 170 degrees F.
- To make the barbecue sauce: combine the vinegar, mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, garlic, salt, cayenne, and black pepper in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer gently, stirring, for 10 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove the pork roast from the oven and transfer to a large platter. Allow the meat to rest for about 10 minutes. While still warm, take 2 forks and "pull" the meat to form shreds. Using 2 forks, shred the pork by steadying the meat with 1 fork and pulling it away with the other. Put the shredded pork in a bowl. Pour 1/2 of the sauce on the shredded pork and mix well to coat.
- To serve, spoon the pulled pork mixture onto the bottom 1/2 of the hamburger bun, and top with the spicy slaw. Serve with pickle spears and the remaining sauce on the side.
- Combine the cabbage, carrot, red onion, green onions, and chile in a large bowl. In another bowl, mix the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, and sugar; stirring to incorporate. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss gently to mix. Season the cole slaw with celery seed, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Chill for 2 hours in refrigerator before serving.
PULLED PORK SANDWICHES
This recipe takes a good deal of time, but it yields a lot of sandwiches, more than enough for a sloppy, spicy dinner party feast. You'll roast a dry-rubbed pork shoulder in the oven until it's pull-apart tender, 3 or 4 hours that you can spend doing other things while your kitchen fills with the aroma of the cooking meat. Then you'll assemble a quick slaw and simmer a tangy barbecue sauce for about 10 minutes before putting it all out on the table with soft rolls. Serve the combination warm, at any time of the year, for a weekend project well worth an afternoon's work.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories lunch, project, sauces and gravies, main course
Time 6h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 28
Steps:
- Assemble the spice rub for the pork: In a dry, small skillet over medium-low heat, toast coriander, cumin and peppercorns until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, grind toasted spices into a fine powder. Transfer to a bowl and mix with salt, mustard powder, chile powder and sugar.
- If your roast is tied up, untie it. Massage meat generously with spice rub. If you have time, let meat rest for an hour or two at room temperature, or refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
- Heat oven to 300 degrees. Place pork in a baking pan and roast for 3 to 4 hours or until meat is pull-apart tender and internal temperature reads 200 degrees on a meat thermometer. Let meat cool for at least 30 minutes before pulling it apart and shredding with your hands or two forks. (This works best when the meat is warm but not hot.)
- Prepare the barbecue sauce: Combine ingredients in a medium pot. Simmer over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce has deepened in color. Season with more hot sauce if you like. Add two-thirds of the sauce to meat and toss to coat, adding more sauce as needed. (Any leftover sauce will keep for at least 2 weeks in the refrigerator.)
- Make the slaw: Combine cabbage, onion and jalapeño in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add dressing to cabbage and toss well.
- Serve pulled pork with slaw, buns and hot sauce on the side, letting people assemble their own sandwiches.
Tips:
- For a healthier pulled pork, use lean pork shoulder or loin roast. - Trim excess fat from the pork before cooking. - Use a slow cooker or Instant Pot to cook the pork for a tender and juicy result. - Add your favorite spices and seasonings to the pork for extra flavor. - Use a variety of vegetables in your pulled pork sandwiches for a nutritious meal. - Choose whole-wheat or multigrain bread for a healthier option. - Top your pulled pork sandwiches with healthy toppings like avocado, salsa, or Greek yogurt.Conclusion:
If you're looking for a healthier way to enjoy pulled pork sandwiches, this recipe is a great option. It's made with lean pork, cooked in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, and loaded with vegetables. You can also choose whole-wheat or multigrain bread and healthy toppings to make it even healthier. So, next time you're craving pulled pork sandwiches, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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