BY
Okay, so I think I’m about to be mocked here. I’m all Miss Foodiepants and everything, but up until about a year ago, it had never even dawned on me to put coleslaw and pickles on BBQ pork sandwiches. Seriously. I was at one of those roadhouse-style restaurants where you can pick your own steak and throw peanuts on the floor and I ordered the pulled pork sandwiches on a whim. And I nearly died of food happiness. I like BBQ pulled pork, I like coleslaw, I like pickles…but together, it was on a completely different plane of food awesomeness. Turns out I was kind of in the dark and that this is a common practice. I felt like I did in 4th grade when everyone else was singing “Step By Step” by New Kids on the Block while my parents made me listen to Judy Collins and Art Garfunkel.
For the sauce, we recommend using your favorite BBQ sauce–Cattleman’s is a great, inexpensive national brand, or you could try picking up some from your favorite local BBQ joint.
3 lb. boneless pork shoulder
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Smoked paprika or liquid smoke
About 12 oz. of your favorite BBQ sauce
About 12 high-quality rolls
Memphis-Style Coleslaw
Thick-cut dill pickle slices
Instructions:
Rinse pork roast well in cold water and trim of excess fat. This is important because sometimes, boneless pork shoulder (and bone-in pork shoulder, for that matter) can take on kind of an icky fishy odor and a lot of that smell is in the juices and the fat. Pat dry. Sprinkle roast with liquid smoke and seasonings and place in your slow cooker. Add about 1/2 inch of water and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS: Prepare meat through the seasoning step. Instead of placing in the crockpot, place seasoned meat in a freezer-safe container. When ready, follow the same cooking instructions. Just make sure that you have BBQ sauce, pickles, and rolls on hand. Because coleslaw isn’t freezer-friendly, if you’re not up to making homemade coleslaw, just pick up a container from KFC or your favorite BBQ restaurant.
I'm a coleslaw/pork sandwich virgin but you've inspired me. Country Bob, hook me up!
I have also been searching for the perfect pulled pork recipe!!! (I actually had one for lunch today, with pickles – they were out of coleslaw.) I'd love to try Country Bob's since it sounds like it might be the way to go!
Man, now I'm hungry again – for pulled pork, of course!!!
I really love Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce, but it would be lovely to find another that we love! And, I think cole slaw and pickles sound LOVELY on a pulled pork sandwich. Yum.
Sign me up for this! I love pulled pork. If I win, I'm going to serve this at my Halloween party.
This looks AMAZING and makes my mouth water at 8:30 in the morning!
I made bbq ribs in the crockpot this week. That sauce would have been perfect.
I've never heard of this. Does that make you feel better? DH and I are always on the quest for the best BBQ sauce. I would love to give Country Bob's a try!
Kate, that looks so yummy. I am no a coleslaw person, but you've inspired me to give it a try. Where can you buy Country Bob's? Any idea?
We just recently discovered the absolute perfection of coleslaw on bbq pulled pork. Have yet to add the pickle, however. Just add a side of cornbread and honey butter and I am a happy camper. We'd love to try some new bbq sauce!
Kat, this link should tell you where to find it! 🙂 I just added this to the post, but I HAVEN'T been able to find it at the fancy Walmart, but I HAVE been able to find it at the regular ol' trashy Walmart.
http://www.countrybobs.com/locations.html
Coleslaw. Pure genius! We're also on the hunt for the perfect BBQ sauce here… Gotta go out and get me some Country Bob's!
I've never tried country bob…I'm willing. The thought of coleslaw on pulled pork is a new one for me. There is a lunch place in my town that makes a panini with corned beef sliced thin topped with cheese and coleslaw that is way better than it sounds. I will have to give yours a try.
I don't normally like to mix my food so trying this would be way out of my comfort zone. But for food I will be a brave girl, of course I need some Country Bob's to make it happen!
Mmmm….send some this way!
mmm pulled pork is so yummy! i haven't been able to find the perfect sauce, so country bob – hook me up!
mmm pulled pork is so yummy! i haven't been able to find the perfect sauce, so country bob – hook me up!
Pulled pork sandwiches are my favorite! I've never had one with coldslaw but then I don't really like coldslaw. I would love to try Country Bob's sauce!
Mmmm…steak sauce/BBQ sauce sounds like a delicious combo. BTW, I {adore} your blog. My family has been eating such yummy new food thanks to you. My email is adventuread@sfcn.org.
Oooooh, yes please!
I just made pulled pork yesterday and will have to get some of this to try on my sandwich. Pick me, Country Bob!!
I need some of that sauce, Please. 🙂
I LOVE putting cole slaw on any kind of sandwich! same goes for pickles YUM!
I am always up for some new barbecue sauce.
i would love to try this recipe. i get excited to see what recipes you will come up with next because all of them are delicious! i have never tried bbq and coleslaw but would love to try it..yumyum!!
I love love love BBQ pork sandwiches and coleslaw and pickles!! I want to make it right now! I would love to try Country Bob's sauce!
This sounds like something new to try. I'm always ready for new recipes. I would love to try the new sauce.
I wanna try!!!
I NEEEEd this Country Bob BBQ sauce!
Sounds like the best BBQ Pulled Pork I have seen in a while. Have a great week-end!
That looks so good! My family loves BBQ–we would love to try Country Bob's!
I'm game… I'd love to try Country Bob's sauce.
I love any kind of BBQ foods. Yum!
I would love to try this bbq sauce! Country Bob's sounds amazing because I like my sauce not too tangy, not too sweet, and this sounds like it's the perfect combo!
UTOPIA! I have searched for YEARS for a good pulled pork recipe. I found myself lost in the land of pork shoulders and butts… scratching my head! The level of joy I am at right now, cannot be expressed!
I need Country Bob sauce to help me reach pulled pork perfection!
I'd love to try Country Bob's sauce!
I love pulled pork sandwiches and we do coleslaw in them at home, but I have never tried the pickle thing. Sounds like a great sauce!
Looks so good!
Ohio could use some of that Country Bob Sauce!!
Just like Nashville, TN barbecue cafe serves!! Now I'm really hungry.
The sauce in any cooking is so important. I'm just starting to experiment a little with making my own. I would love to win some yummy sauce to try!
If it makes you feel better, I'd never heard of adding pickles to a pork sandwich. Coleslaw, yes, but pickles? Interesting…
I've been craving your blueberry cheesecake icecream and now I'm thinking that would pair well for dessert with pulled pork sandies and country bob's sauce!
Those look delicious!! Pickles are the best on top of all sandwiches!!I've never tried the coleslaw on top, but I think I will next time 🙂
btw, made the asian bbq chicken last night, it was a HUGE HIT!!! loved it 🙂
thanks you girls ROCK!!
I've never tried coleslaw but I do like me some pickles on one. Another good one is the pickled banana peppers.
I loved pulled pork, just finished a sandwich. I would love to try a new sauce.
Wow! That looks really good! Loving it!
http://www.cookingwithlibby.blogspot.com
This looks delicious! I also love BBQ pulled-pork sandwiches, and I would love to find that "missing link" with Country Bob's. I live out in Indiana, so what's the chance of me stopping by the store to pick some up?
Sounds delish. I remember meeting you and Camille for lunch at Roadhouse once!
Don't worry about not knowing about that! After 25 & 1/2 years of not knowing, I finally found out in June of this year at a church BBQ. A guy that served a mission down in the Carolinas took the liberty to fill me in all about coleslaw on pulled Pork Sandwiches. I have to admit that I'm not really a cabbage of coleslaw fan, but that sandwich was good! I'd love to try out you recipe with a bottle of Country Bob! I LOVE your blog BTW!
Okay, just wanted to let you guys know that I went to Kroger today and saw Country Bob's there! It most definitely has not been at my Kroger in the past, so it seems like the word is getting out and it may be easier to find.
I love smokey flavors. I think it would be great to be able to give this BBQ sauce a try.
mock mock mock.
Dear Miss Foodiepants,
What old bottle of Heinz 57 sauce have you been living in???
Seriously… you never knew?
I might be able to talk to you guys anymore. Seriously.
I forgive you cause you guys are an endless supply of cool recipes and tips (but only if you promise to never mention that you did not know this age old BBQ secret ever again). Amen.
HUGS,
Lolly
P.S. I personally prefer a 1:1:1 bbq, pickle, slaw ration.
I would LOVE some of that Country Bob's!
Yes please!
I wanna try some. I usually use regular old BBQ sauce but I always like adding a little variety. Generally I use a pork tenderloin when I make this. The slow cooker makes it shred up so nicely.
I'll try it!
I have a Big Green Egg grill/smoker and love to smoke meat – both pork and beef. Unfortunately, though, I've never tried coleslaw on the pulled pork sandwich, but now I can't wait to try! I'm also looking forward to shopping for Country Bob's!
That sounds amazing! I would like to try it!
Sign me up sounds wonderful. Here in Cleveland Oh. we put fries and slaw on burgers it's wonderful too.
Can't wait to try this, it looks so yummy!
thanks for all the freezer instructions to recipes!
We love pulled pork sandwiches here. Never heard of the combo though. Very interesting.
I would LOVE some sauce. Sounds yummy!
I am anxious to try Country Bob's. We've discovered Sweet Baby Ray's Honey BBQ sauce, but I'm game for the competition. I've never tired the pulled pork, coleslaw, pickle combination- i'll try it next week-sounds good!
Thank you!!! I was literally JUST looking for a good BBQ pulled pork sandwhich yesterday….and here is the answer to all my dreams. =) THANKS!
I love pulled pork, but never had it with slaw and pickles. I grew up south side Chicago and we did not go that route. I do not think I would like it that way………..Maybe it is a regional thing. Luv to try Country Bobs, thanks for the great give-away!
Yum! Some new BBQ sauce sounds great! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Wow! Look at all the people who want some free all-purpose sauce! I'm joining the ranks! I love how the bottle looks; so bright and cheery, and not dark and dull like barbecue sauce bottles. It's beautiful! I love to try it too, having recently lived in Southern Mississippi, where pulled pork sandwiches are a dime a dozen! I'd like to see if it lives up to Darwell's and The Shed, two of my favs from Gulfport. Sounds so yummy!
Okay, my family home schools our 4 kids and one of our classes is, of course, cooking. We read your blog for your AWESOME recipes! Now after reading about the pulled pork, and having tried it several times, but not quite getting the "right" taste, we're really curious about this sauce! We would REALLY, REALLY love to try some!
I am DYING to try this. I have been off sugar for 3 weeks and have 3 weeks to go but after that it is the first thing I am making!
I like you, have been on the hunt for the perfect smokey, tangy, sweet BBQ sauce. I am tired of wasting money on the sauces that say they are the #1 winner of this or that. I would LOVE to try Country Bob's to end my hunt!!!
Awesome recipe. I'll have to try this one!~Came across your site via Books and Cooks
I've always wanted to add coleslaw but have never taken the leap! lol This looks delicious!
I am a sweet baby ray's fan too, but it just isn't spicy enough for us at times. I would love to try another kind!
Angela
samiller95@gmail.com
I can't wait to try this, it sounds so yummy!
I too just discovered the art of putting cole slaw on the pork sandwich. My discovery came about two months ago while watching Food Network. I always thought it was just for the side but I was SO wrong. Thanks for the recipe. Can't wait to try it!!
LOL! Don't feel bad, my first coleslaw ON pork experience scared me to death! I mean, coleslaw ON b-b-q?!? Seriously? But it is oh, so to die for! Traditionally speaking, from a Virginia/Maryland view, there is no sauce acceptable for this adventure, you eat it sans-sauce but from my west coast perspective, marry it with a great sauce and I am in b-b-q heaven. Thanks for inspiring me to go smoke my own! – going to go look for Country Bob now.
This came at the PERFECT time for me. I LOVE coleslaw but recently my daughter asked me if I could cook something similar to this sandwich. I am going to add it to my menu this coming week!
Can I eat that right off the page? ; )
Pick me! And thanks for the recipe!
I love a good sauce! I would love to try this!
I love pulled pork sandwiches. Never ever thought to put coleslaw on it. Can't wait to try it, would be great wit some of that bbq sauce.
I would really like to try some of that sauce. We are always on the look out for a good meat sauce. If I could try it for free that would even be better!
sheenapyatt@yahoo.com
ps. I've never heard of the coleslaw/pork sandwich combo but we may just have to try that this week!
My question is "where were you last week when I needed a good BBQ pork recipie… I had to make my own to serve 60 people. My turned out pretty good, but I would like to try it against Country Bob.
Thanks for the tip on coleslaw, it would have never dawned on me either.
Melissa (melissjc@hotmail.com)
I have to try this! This was not good for me to look at when I am starving and my fridge is empty. Please send me the sauce!
Country Bob's is awesome!
I need to try this! I'm missing my pulled pork BBQ from the south…
never tried the coleslaw/pickle thing, but we do like to slow-cook pork with a bottle of salsa and bbq sauce…I'd love to try Country Bob!
Wow! That looks yummy! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your talent of delicious food… it makes for a very happy family at my house!
I love pulled pork. And I've yet to find the perfect BBQ sauce. Let's go Country Bob!
Sounds tasty!
not sure if i'm commenting on time, but my mouth is watering after reading this post, so i figured i had to at least TRY to win!
So I am a little confused with what you are saying about the Smokehouse in Provo… now in Orem. You do or do not like their BBQ sauce with this recipe?
And where do I purchase Country Bob's All Purpose sauce… Walmart? the grocery store?
Thanks! This pulled pork tasted great… but our homemade BBQ sauce was not the right flavor to hit the spot… so I want to get the good stuff (Country Bob)! 🙂
just saw the link for country bob's… opps. So just the question about Smokehouse pizza and BBQ remains.
Thanks
Cheri, I loooooooooooove Smokehouse! 🙂 Seriously, I could just drink all of their BBQ sauces!
Thanks Kate!
So when I saw this post I was just so excited to try the recipe I jumped right to the recipe and misunderstood… anyway when I was down in Provo/Orem the other day I stopped by Smokehouse and asked for their BBQ sauce…
I'm glad I was confused because we just had the SmokeHouse's BBQ sauce with our pulled pork and WOW… amazing! (I LOVED the Sweet bbq sauce and I LOVED the spicy too!)
So if you ever want it with the Smokehouse's BBQ sauce they will sell it to you for about $3 for a pint–$3.23 with tax.mmmmm…
I can't wait to try it with Country Bob's sauce too.
Thanks for the recipe and all the hard work put into this blog! We are soo lovin it!
mmmmm…. mmmmm…. delicious!
OK, I've never used liquid smoke in a recipe before. How much should I add??? It seems pretty strong…
I made this for dinner last week and first off let me say wow. The one downfall to it was that i was so full and ready to throw up but wanted to eat more. I want to make it again for dinner in a couple of weeks. I ate it every day till the coleslaw was gone. I ate it for 3 days and after it was all gone I wanted to cry because I didn't have anymore to eat. We all loved it in our family. My husband hates coleslaw and even when he ate it the next day for lunch I watched him put the coleslaw back on it. Thank you so much for this new favorite in our home. Only thing now is that I have order me some of that BBQ sauce.
My husband loves it and calls it "sloppy porkslaw".
Thanks for the great recipe! What are the measurements on all of the ingredients? I want to make these tomorrow. Thanks!
Hi, April! You know, I don't really have specifics because pork can vary so widely in size. Just sprinkle it with liquid smoke; you don't want it soaking wet or anything, but you want it to be completely covered. As far as the sauce, just taste as you go and add as much as you like! Sorry I can't be more specific! 🙂
Do you ladies have any suggestions for a bbq sace to use if one cannot get Bob's All Purpose Sauce? I thought about Sweet Baby Rays, but it can be on the sweet side. I am having my sons 2nd birthday party in a week and I want to make this, along with the coleslaw, but they don't sell Country Bob's in the Seattle area. At least, that is what their website says. Any thoughts an a almost as good alternative.
As always, thanks for your wonderful recipes! You guys are the best!
Nedrys–My next best, I think, is Stubbs. Way yummy, especially on ribs! 🙂
I ordered some Country Bob's from their website and it was well worth it! The shipping was free! I made this for my son's 2nd birthday party today and it was a hit. I also made the coleslaw and I put it and pickles on my sandwich and it was delicious! We also had the rainbow cupcakes! Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes and talents with us!
I actually have a question on the proportions of spices – what are they? 1:1 ratio for all, or should I lean to more paprika and less garlic…?
I've never done anything like this, but I'm an American trapped in the Netherlands and I've not had a pulled-pork in a decade! This is my pre-4 July project!
I'll buy a slow-cooker and an expensive hunk of pork to find out, but I would like some idea of spice balancing. I'm a newbie to all this-here cookin' stuff…
I just bought a huge pork roast at costco. I will be needing some good BBQ sauce for it! 🙂
Hi, could you provide the measurements of the spices? I have never made anything like this before but don't want to over do it on the spices and would like to make it for Father's day. Thank you for sharing with us your wonderful blog.
Would I need to change the cooking time if I used a different cut of pork? Do you recommend any other cuts? I can only find 9 lb pork shouders. Hoping to use something closer to 3lbs.
Peri–Nope, no change in cooking time necessary! 🙂
Oh my gosh! I used to work at the Smokehouse (in Provo and Orem) and I love their BBQ pork more than anything I've ever had in the South! (and their baked beans and mac and cheese eaten together… or mac and cheese with the sweet bbq sauce on it, haha). Man, I gasped out loud when you mentioned them. Seriously, I miss the Smokehouse (food) SOO bad! I wish they'd sell that stuff online! haha. I haven't found any restaurant's bbq sauce to be as good (even in glorified BBQ-land Texas.)
Yum!!! I have a pork roast just waiting to be turned into sandwiches this week, just need to choose (and buy) a new bbq sauce. Yum!
I was going to make this last night, but I realized there aren't any amounts for the seasonings. I've tried to make other BBQ pork sandwich recipes before and they've turned out blah, so I'd really like some specific amounts. Thanks!
Laura–Try 1 tsp. of each except for the black pepper (use 1/2 tsp.)
Thanks so much for the recipe…We have a small Cafe in a tiny little town in the thumb of MI. I have been searching for a perfect pork sandwich. This sauce from Country Bobs sounds perfect! I would love to try it. Thank you so much for your web site and all the wonderful information on it. We very much appreciate it.
I am so excited to try this recipe. I'm going to make it for my son's second birthday. I was wondering, how much does this make using the 3-4 lb pork? I need to feed around thirty people. Thanks!
I made this the other day with the coleslaw recipe you provide and I just have to say that I am now addicted to it. Wow!!! At first I wasn't sure how I would like it so I put a forkful on and took a bite. Um, that was it. I had to pile the coleslaw on and also the pickles. LOVE it. Thanks for sharing!!!
Never tried coleslaw or pickles on my pulled pork but I will now!
One thing we do differnt is we use Root Beer instead of water to cook the pork in. It adds just a little extra oomph to the flavor. Yum
I have all of the ingredients to make this except for the liquid smoke, (or smoked paprika). What is it and where can I find it? I live in Arkansas which is Walmart land so I don’t know if they don’t carry it or if I just am looking in the wrong aisles. Help!
Hi Rachel,
Walmart should carry liquid smoke for sure, I buy it there all the time. It’s usually near the bbq sauces and it’s easy to miss because the bottles are small and there’s usually not a whole lot of them! Sometimes I’ve seen it near the salad dressings and vinegars too. The smoked paprika may be hit or miss. Check the spice isle- I usually buy that one at Sam’s Club.
Thanks Sara, obviously I am not the brightest, I looked for it my last 3 trips to the store and couldn’t find it. I sent my husband, and he was in and out in 10 minutes with liquid smoke in hand. 🙂
Hi, I was wondering at what point you put the liquid smoke in? At the beginning with the seasonings or at the end with the BBQ sauce? About how much liquid smoke to use also? Thanks so much.
I made this for a party the other night, and it turned out great! I had a little trouble finding the boneless shoulder, but asked the butcher at Vons (safeway) and he pulled the bone out of one for me. We cooked ten pounds in our large-ish (5 quarts?) crockpot and it cooked well. We used a bottle of Stubbs BBQ and a bottle of Trader Joes BBQ sauce and it was tasty. Thanks for the great recipe! 🙂
This recipe Rocks! It reminded me of Kalua pork before you add the BBQ sauce. I never thought to make Kalua pork in the crock pot, I’ll have to tell mom.
Sister, you nailed it on the head with this recipe. The slaw was good too. I used 1 tsp. caraway and 1 tsp. dill seed instead of the celery seed. It was great! I love it when it turns out like that. Thanks sister, many blessings.
At April: I used 2-3 Tlbs. of liquid smoke.
Made this tonight for dinner, including your coleslaw. It was great and almost as important, it was so easy! My pork shoulder simmered all day while I was at the water park with my kids. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to shread the meat and add bbq sauce and be done. The recipe I used to make was so much more complicated (made my own sauce) and I don’t know that I liked it that much better. The coleslaw was easy, too. I’d never thought of buying pre-packaged cabbage. Thanks for a quick & easy dinner!
my parents brought me a pork roast and said it had to be used soon so off to yoru site i went. found this little gem of a recipe and wow. it was so easy and tasty. cant wait to make it again.
Just curious 🙂 could you freeze AFTER you shred the pork? That way you just re-heat and throw on buns with the coleslaw?
Yep, definitely! We do it all the time! 🙂
Used root beer instead of water. It was pretty delicious. The slight sweetness from the root beer, combined with the great seasoning was fantastic.
After you freeze this meal should you defrost it before putting it in the crockpot? Or just throw it all in right away?
Either or, Kate!
just put this in the crockpot, and i’m pretty excited for dinner tomorrow night.
but is it strange that the part of this post that has resinated the most with me is this fancy wal-mart? where are these places?
a google search of “fancy walmart” gave me only fancy feast cat food pricings and websites offering pictures of rednecks in wal-mart…. :/
I don’t have a slow cooker large enough for the pork shoulder. Please tell me what temperature to use if I cook it in the oven.
Thank you for a great web site.
I honestly don’t know, I’m sorry!
Just clarifying, did you use County Bob’s Barbecue Sauce or All Purpose Sauce? In your picture you show the All Purpose Sauce and that is definitely different from barbecue sauce.
If you make ahead to freeze, can you put it in the crock pot frozen?? Or do you need to thaw first? Thanks!
Can i use a pork loin to make these and still get the shredded texture from the meat?
Wow! A new favorite for this family! I made this for dinner tonight and it was good. REAL good. As in I am pretty sure I saw my husband actually licking the plate 🙂 Happy tummies tonight!
We’ll see how good Rhoads rolls are as buns with this pork recipe tomorrow
Help! I am making this for a crowd this weekend. Can I cook the meat a day ahead, refrigerate and then reheat it to serve? I’m just concerned about it getting mushy. Any suggestions?
Can I cook this on high for 4-6 hours? I need it ready by 12pm so I won’t have 8-10 hours. Also I could only find the pork with bone-in. Will this be a problem? Or can I just cook it and pull the bone out when it’s done?
I feel like it’s worth noting that I could only find it bone-in (not that I looked really hard or anything) and it wasn’t that hard – the bone wasn’t very big or awkward. Some of the pieces were a little hard to shred, so I sort of wish I added a little more water, because I feel the parts not in water might have been the tough parts. All in all, this was great!
Really dumb question….but can I do this with chicken breasts?? I want to make pulled chicken sandwiches. I’ve made this before with pork, and loved the taste with and without sauce.