Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Buttermilk Coleslaw & Barbecue Beans

 

 

It's been quite warm outside the past few weeks. Actually, it's been hot! The Labor Day weekend was upon us and what are you suppose to do for Labor Day? Well, you are suppose to have a Barbecue!

So, that's what we did for Labor Day with just a couple of minor changes. We stayed inside under the cool of the mighty AC and ditched the grill for a couple of crock pots. Confused? Please continue and you will find three tasty recipes to make your next indoor barbecue a huge success! Two of the recipes are Paula Deen variations, tweaked just a bit to my liking.

Let's Try It!

First up: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches. 

Ingredients: (makes approx. 12 sandwiches)

• 5 or 6 lbs. boneless pork butt or shoulder (I used two 3 lb. pork butts.)
• 2 c. barbecue sauce + additional for serving (Use your favorite homemade or store bought. I used Guy Fieri Kansas City Smokey & Sweet.)
• pork spice rub (Use your favorite homemade or store bought. I used Famous Dave's Rib Rub.)
• hamburger/sandwich style buns for serving

Preparation:

1. Using your homemade or store bought spice, generously rub the mixture on all sides of the pork.

2. Cover pork & refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
3. Place pork in slow cooker, set on low heat & cook for 10 hours.

4. Transfer pork to a platter & shred meat with a fork, removing any pieces of fat. Set aside.
5. Pour the pork broth from the slow cooker into a fat separator or heatproof dish. Skim off the fat.
6. Put pork back in slow cooker.
7. Combine 2 c. barbecue sauce & 3 c. skimmed broth. Stir into the pork & continue cooking on low for 2 hours.
8. Remove shredded pork from slow cooker & place on serving platter. Serve barbecue pork broth and/or additional barbecue sauce along with shredded pork.
9. Lightly toast buns, load up with pulled pork, a dollop of barbecue sauce & Buttermilk Coleslaw!

Second: Buttermilk Coleslaw.

Paula Deen introduced this Buttermilk Coleslaw on Good Morning America a couple of weeks ago. She recommended the coleslaw along with her pulled pork sandwiches and Paula was right - the colors of the cabbage and carrots make pretty slaw, if you're in to pretty. It was a must-have for this little barbecue fest! You can get the recipe here: Buttermilk Coleslaw. I spiked the ingredients just a little, as follows:

• 3 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp. brown sugar
• 4 tbsp. buttermilk

Third: Slow Cooker Barbecue Baked Beans.

Barbecue beans make a great side for Pulled Pork Sandwiches and this is an easy, make ahead recipe. Again, using the trusty old slow cooker keeps that kitchen heat to a bare minimum and when the beans have finished cooking they can just 'rest' on the 'keep warm' setting for at least a couple of hours.

Ingredients: (makes a lotta beans)

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 slices bacon, chopped (I like thick cut.)
• 1 lb. dried navy beans (a.k.a. great northern beans) (rinsed/washed)
• water (enough to cover beans)
• 1 bottle Guinness Beer (optional)
• 3/4 c. barbecue sauce (Use your favorite homemade or store bought. I used Guy Fieri Kansas City Smokey & Sweet.)
• 1 c. brewed coffee
• 1/3 c. dark brown sugar
• 3 tbsp. molasses
• 1/4 c. Dijon or grainy brown mustard
• hot sauce (to taste)
• salt & pepper (to taste)

Preparation:

1. In heavy skillet,  cook bacon until crisp. Remove from skillet & set aside.
2. In same skillet, saute onion & garlic in bacon drippings for about 5 minutes, until tender.
3. Transfer onion & garlic to slow cooker. Add beans, water, beer, barbecue sauce, coffee, sugar, molasses, mustard, hot sauce, salt & pepper. Stir well to combine ingredients.
4. Cover & cook on high for 6-7 hours or low for 10-11 hours. Not all slow cookers cook the same, so do a little taste test near the end time!
5. Stir the bacon back into the beans right before you serve them. 

Now, how's that for a barbecue on a super hot day, minus the grill and the heat! I also included a little cucumber, tomato, onion salad and to satisfy the sweet test, a Strawberry Cream Poke Cake. Enjoy!

Enjoy! WildWSS outta here!