What To Serve With Pulled Pork

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Pulled pork is delicious and can be served for lunch, for dinner, a BBQ, or at a picnic. This versatile meal is sweet, savory, and smoky.

How you prepare your pulled pork is up to you. You can make it in a smoker, the oven, a slow cooker, or in an instant pot.

Whether you slather it in BBQ sauce or coat it with your favorite dry rub, you may be wondering what to serve along with it. Here are 17 irresistible side dishes worthy of sharing the plate.

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17 Side Dishes to Serve With Pulled Pork

Pulled Pork can be seasoned with a dry rub or sauce and the flavor options available are almost endless. The flavor profile you go for could impact the type of side you want. I have compiled a list of 17 irresistible sides that are sure to meet all of your needs.

1. French Fries

Any BBQ joint is going to offer French fries with their pulled pork, especially if it is served as a sandwich. Pulled pork sandwiches and French fries are a match made in heaven.

The best thing about French fries is there are so many styles available and they’re all tasty. For something extra special, try them loaded with cheese and bacon!

2. Potato Wedges

Potato wedges are thick and crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside and they pair beautifully with pulled pork and adaptable to fit any tastes.

For a healthier option, cook your potato wedges in the oven. Heavily season them and bake at a high temperature to get the crunch outside and fluffy inside.

3. Onion Rings

Onion Rings are the perfect crispy, crunchy side to serve with pulled pork. Whether you like them thick or thin, they’ll add some nice texture to your meal.

To keep your onion rings healthier, make them in an air fryer. Step up the flavor and add your favorite dipping sauce. Great options are ketchup, aioli, BBQ sauce, or a homemade zesty sauce.

4. Baked Beans

No BBQ or picnic is complete without baked beans. Whether they’re from a can or cooked low and slow like your pulled pork, they’re going to compliment your pulled pork beautifully.

Baked beans can be dressed up to suit your preferences. Add bacon, jalapenos, green chilies, or sweeten them up with some brown sugar or maple syrup.

5. Potato Salad

Continuing with picnic and BBQ staples, potato salad is another must-have. Fairly simple to make and always delicious to eat, potato salad will be a cool side for your pulled pork.

Popular options are mustard, Amish, or deviled egg potato salad. If you’re going to make your own, you could try some unique recipes such as bacon-ranch, ham and cheese, or avocado-shrimp potato salad.

6. Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad is another popular side dish for picnics and BBQs. Sweet, creamy, and served cold, macaroni salad is a nice contrast to your hot pulled pork.

Macaroni salad is traditionally made with elbow macaroni, hence the name, and tossed with a sweet mayonnaise dressing. It’s also a great way to sneak in some vegetables.

7. Pasta Salad

If you prefer something tangier than sweet macaroni salad, pasta salad is another popular side dish for pulled pork. It’s very easy to make and customizable to please any palate.

For homemade pasta salad, you can use any pasta from shells to colorful rotini. Add in some crunchy fresh vegetables and top with a tangy Italian dressing.

8. Coleslaw

Back to cold and creamy, coleslaw is a classic side dish that will compliment your main dish of pulled pork. A crunchy coleslaw is a perfect side to round out your meal.

You can whip up your own dressing using mayo, sugar, lemon juice, and vinegar or you can buy some premade at your local grocer. For a low-fat option try low-fat mayo.

9. Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob can be sweet or salty. Either way, it goes great with pulled pork. Throw some ears of corn on the grill in or out of the husk for a crunchy, buttery side.

For some extra fun, don’t be afraid to get creative with those ears of corn. One idea is to rub with smoked paprika, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder before grilling for extra flavor.

10. Cornbread

Sometimes you just need some southern comfort food and what better way to add a southern element to your pulled pork than by pairing it with cornbread.

Fluffy golden crumbly cornbread will look incredible on a plate next to your pulled pork. Experiment with different flavors like jalapeno cheddar or sweet jalapeno.

11. Honey Butter Biscuits

Just hearing honey butter biscuits makes my mouth water. The sweet biscuits will complement the sweetness of your pulled pork. The best part is, you don’t even have to roll out dough.

Don’t forget the honey butter. Easily make your own by mixing 4 tablespoons of butter with 1/3 cup of honey. Brush them with honey butter when they are hot and fresh out of the oven.

12. Collard Greens

Sticking with the southern theme, I have to include collard greens on the list. Highly nutritious and equally delicious, the beautiful green vegetable serves as a great side for pulled pork.

Sautéed to soften and perfectly seasoned, collard greens are the perfect addition to your meal. Try spicy collard greens or sauté them with bacon, onions, and garlic for incredible flavor.

13. Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese

Homestyle macaroni and cheese is creamy, crunchy, gooey, and fantastic when served with pulled pork. It’s loaded with cheese, topped with bread crumbs, and baked to perfection.

The great thing about making it yourself is you can add some of your favorite flavors. Try a recipe with Dijon mustard and hot sauce for flavors you won’t believe!

14. Succotash

Wildly popular in the south, succotash is a savory combination of corn, lima beans, and red peppers. This eye-catching side will delight everyone that gathers around your table.

The recipe for succotash is not set in stone. Boost the flavor by adding in ripe red cherry tomatoes, okra, squash, and fresh herbs. It can be served cold, warm, or hot.

15. Hushpuppies

Hushpuppies are golden brown on the outside and fluffy on the inside. This deep-fried dough adds a pleasant contrasting texture to your pulled pork.

The list of dipping options for hushpuppies is a mile long. Popular options are tartar sauce, ketchup, or ranch. To really up the flavor profile of your meal try them with a spicy or Cajun dipping sauce.

16. Green Salad

Taking a step back from the heavy comfort food sides, you may want something a little lighter to enjoy with your pulled pork and for that, I offer you a simple green salad.

Combine any of your favorite greens from romaine lettuce to arugula or spinach and drizzle in your favorite dressing. Add some red onions or cherry tomatoes for a splash of color

17. Fruit Salad

Healthy, light, and sweet, a fruit salad is a great side dish that can double as a dessert and will please any palate when served with your pulled pork.

Easy to make and highly customizable, you can whip up a fruit salad to satisfy every taste. Simply combine your favorite fresh fruits and drizzle with a honey-lime dressing.

Wrap-Up

It’s easy to find something delicious to serve with pulled pork, narrowing it down to one or two is the difficult part with so many satisfying options.

From crispy crunchy hushpuppies and onion rings to creamy coleslaw and macaroni salad, you have 17 irresistible side dishes to serve with your pulled pork.

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