Pulled pork, with its smoky, tender, and rich flavor, is a barbecue staple that’s loved across the globe. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, a casual get-together, or simply craving some Southern comfort food, pulled pork is always a fantastic choice. But the perfect pulled pork experience isn’t complete without the right side dishes. Choosing What To Serve With Pulled Pork can elevate your meal from good to unforgettable.
The beauty of pulled pork lies in its versatility. It pairs well with a wide array of flavors and textures, from creamy and comforting to fresh and zesty. To help you create the ultimate pulled pork feast, we’ve compiled a list of exceptional side dishes that will complement your main course and delight your guests. Get ready to explore a world of culinary possibilities and discover your new favorite pairings for pulled pork.
Classic BBQ Sides That Sing with Pulled Pork
When it comes to BBQ, certain sides are just inherently right. These classic choices are not only crowd-pleasers but also designed to balance the richness of pulled pork, creating a harmonious and satisfying meal.
Southern Skillet Cornbread
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Cornbread is a quintessential Southern side, and skillet cornbread takes it to another level. Its slightly crumbly texture and subtly sweet corn flavor are the perfect canvas to soak up the savory juices of pulled pork. A warm wedge of skillet cornbread, especially with a pat of butter, is a comforting and delicious addition to any pulled pork plate.
Classic Coleslaw
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No BBQ sandwich, especially one loaded with pulled pork, is truly complete without coleslaw. The creamy, crunchy, and slightly sweet nature of classic coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the smoky and savory pulled pork. Its coolness cuts through the richness, making each bite balanced and flavorful.
Hush Puppies
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These savory, deep-fried cornmeal dumplings are a Southern BBQ tradition. Hush puppies, with their crispy exterior and soft, flavorful interior, offer a delightful textural contrast to pulled pork. Their slightly sweet and savory taste complements the smoky meat beautifully, making them an irresistible side.
Baked Beans: Smoky and Sweet
Baked beans are a BBQ side dish staple, and for good reason. Their hearty, smoky, and sweet profile aligns perfectly with pulled pork. Whether you opt for classic Texas-style baked beans with their savory and slightly spicy notes, or smoky-sweet baked beans with a touch of brown sugar and molasses, you’re in for a treat. The richness of baked beans mirrors the depth of flavor in pulled pork, creating a satisfying and robust pairing.
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Potato Salad: Classic and Creamy
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A scoop of classic potato salad is a welcome addition to any BBQ plate, especially alongside pulled pork. Its creamy texture and tangy dressing provide a cooling contrast to the warm, smoky meat. The simple, comforting flavors of potato salad make it a reliable and delicious side dish that complements pulled pork without overpowering it.
Macaroni Salad: Cold and Tangy
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Similar to coleslaw and potato salad, macaroni salad offers a cold and creamy counterpoint to pulled pork. Its slightly tangy and savory flavor profile, often with hints of onion and celery, cuts through the richness of the meat, making each bite more refreshing. A classic macaroni salad is a simple yet effective side to balance your pulled pork meal.
Fresh and Vibrant Vegetable Sides
To lighten up your pulled pork feast and add a touch of freshness, vegetable-based sides are an excellent choice. These options bring color, nutrients, and contrasting textures to your plate.
Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob
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Sweet corn on the cob, whether grilled, roasted, or air-fried, is a summer BBQ essential. The natural sweetness of corn provides a lovely contrast to the savory, smoky pulled pork. Oven-roasted corn on the cob, with its slightly caramelized kernels, is especially delicious, adding a touch of char and depth of flavor that enhances the entire meal.
Corn Salad: Bright and Zesty
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For a lighter take on corn, a fresh corn salad is a fantastic option. Bursting with vibrant veggies like tomatoes, red onion, and sweet corn kernels, this salad adds a refreshing element to your pulled pork spread. The addition of mozzarella balls provides a creamy, cheesy bite that ties everything together beautifully.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
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Cool and creamy cucumber salad is incredibly refreshing, making it an ideal side for a hot BBQ day. The crisp cucumbers and creamy dressing offer a welcome contrast to the richness of pulled pork. Its light and tangy flavor profile cleanses the palate and prepares you for the next delicious bite.
Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
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Green beans are a versatile vegetable side, and when elevated with garlic and parmesan, they become truly irresistible. Garlic parmesan green beans offer a savory and slightly cheesy flavor that complements pulled pork without being too heavy. The slight crispness of the green beans provides a pleasant textural contrast.
Broccoli Salad: Crunchy and Flavorful
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Broccoli salad is a classic potluck favorite that works wonderfully with pulled pork. The combination of crunchy broccoli, sweet cranberries, smoky bacon, and cheddar cheese, all tossed in a creamy dressing, creates a symphony of flavors and textures. It’s a hearty and flavorful salad that holds its own against the robust taste of pulled pork.
Southern-Style Collard Greens
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For a truly Southern experience, serve collard greens alongside your pulled pork. Slow-cooked Southern-style collard greens are tender, flavorful, and often infused with smoky ham hock or bacon. Their slightly bitter and savory taste provides a traditional and comforting complement to pulled pork.
Comfort Food Sides for a Hearty Meal
Sometimes, you want to double down on the comfort factor. These hearty side dishes amplify the satisfying nature of pulled pork, making for a truly indulgent and fulfilling meal.
Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes
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Take mashed potatoes to the next level by baking them with cheese. Cheesy baked mashed potatoes are incredibly creamy, rich, and comforting. The melted cheese adds an extra layer of flavor and indulgence that pairs beautifully with the savory pulled pork. This side dish is pure comfort food bliss.
Cajun Mac and Cheese
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Mac and cheese is always a welcome side, and Cajun mac and cheese kicks it up a notch with spice and flavor. Pepper jack cheese, Cajun seasoning, and bell peppers add a zesty and exciting twist to this classic dish. The creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy profile of Cajun mac and cheese creates a dynamic pairing with pulled pork.
Barbecue Mac and Cheese
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For a BBQ-themed mac and cheese, this recipe is perfect. Barbecue mac and cheese often incorporates BBQ sauce and sometimes even pulled pork itself! This creates a cohesive and deeply flavorful side dish that complements pulled pork in a uniquely synergistic way. It’s a double dose of BBQ goodness.
Spiced Up Shoestring Fries
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Fries are a universally loved side, and spiced-up shoestring fries add an extra layer of flavor that complements pulled pork beautifully. Seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder, these fries offer a bold and savory kick. The crispy texture and spiced flavor make them an irresistible accompaniment to pulled pork sandwiches or plates.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
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For a slightly healthier and sweeter fry option, air fryer sweet potato fries are a winner. Their crispy exterior and soft, sweet interior provide a delightful contrast to the savory pulled pork. The sweetness of the sweet potatoes offers a unique flavor dimension that works surprisingly well with BBQ.
Unexpected and Delicious Side Dish Surprises
Looking to venture beyond the usual? These unexpected side dishes offer unique flavors and textures that will make your pulled pork meal truly stand out.
Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad
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This salad is a delightful mix of sweet, savory, and fresh flavors. Broccoli, grape, and pasta salad combines the crunch of broccoli, the sweetness of red grapes, and the heartiness of pasta, often with a creamy or vinaigrette dressing. The optional addition of bacon adds a smoky, savory note that ties it all together and complements pulled pork beautifully.
Southern Cobb Salad with Cornbread Croutons
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Elevate your salad game with a Southern Cobb salad featuring cornbread croutons. This salad is packed with flavorful ingredients like bacon, blue cheese, black-eyed peas, and deviled eggs, all atop a bed of greens. The crunchy cornbread croutons add a unique Southern touch that makes this salad a standout side for pulled pork.
Fried Pickle Chips
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For a fun and addictive side, try fried pickle chips. The tangy, acidic pickles, when battered and fried to crispy perfection, offer a surprising and delightful contrast to the rich, savory pulled pork. Their crunchy, salty, and sour profile cuts through the richness of the meat, making for an exciting flavor combination.
Fresh Fruit Salad
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Sometimes, the best complement to rich, savory food is something light and sweet. A fresh fruit salad, with its assortment of berries, melons, and oranges, provides a refreshing and palate-cleansing contrast to pulled pork. The natural sweetness and juicy textures of the fruit offer a perfect ending note to a hearty meal.
Final Thoughts on Pulled Pork Pairings
Choosing what to serve with pulled pork is all about creating balance and complementing flavors. Whether you lean towards classic BBQ sides, fresh vegetable dishes, comforting carbs, or unexpected surprises, the goal is to enhance the pulled pork experience and create a memorable meal.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match sides to create your perfect pulled pork feast. Consider offering a variety of textures and flavors – something creamy, something crunchy, something fresh, and something savory. With so many delicious options, your pulled pork BBQ is sure to be a hit!
