Pulled pork barbecue is a beloved dish, known for its smoky, tender, and flavorful meat. But to truly elevate your BBQ experience, choosing the right side dishes is crucial. The perfect sides not only complement the rich taste of pulled pork but also create a balanced and satisfying meal. If you’re wondering What To Serve With Pulled Pork Barbecue, look no further. This guide explores a variety of delicious side dishes, from classic Southern staples to fresh and flavorful options, ensuring your next BBQ is a resounding success.
Classic BBQ Side Dishes to Complement Pulled Pork
For a traditional BBQ feast, you can’t go wrong with classic side dishes that are practically synonymous with barbecue. These options offer familiar flavors and textures that pair beautifully with pulled pork.
Coleslaw: The Crunchy and Creamy Counterpart
Coleslaw is an absolute must-have with pulled pork. Its creamy, crunchy, and slightly sweet profile cuts through the richness of the pork, providing a refreshing contrast. A good coleslaw recipe balances sweetness with tanginess and offers a satisfying crunch from the cabbage. Whether you prefer a mayonnaise-based or a vinegar-based coleslaw, this side is essential for any pulled pork sandwich or plate.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Classic_Coleslaw_015-2000-ed6f557ae9754ec9af014614585ab828.jpg)
Baked Beans: Smoky, Sweet, and Savory
Baked beans are another quintessential BBQ side dish, offering a hearty and flavorful complement to pulled pork. The smoky sweetness of baked beans, often with a hint of molasses or brown sugar, echoes the smoky notes of the barbecue. Whether you opt for a classic recipe or a Texas-style version with added spices and savory elements like bacon or brisket, baked beans are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SouthernLiving27401_LUBakedB_00205-1-smoky-sweet-baked-beans-4e6466961f484d438332059de4fca785.jpg)
Potato Salad: Creamy and Comforting
Potato salad is a creamy and comforting side dish that’s always welcome at a BBQ. The cool, creamy texture and mild flavor of potato salad provide a pleasant contrast to the warm, robust pulled pork. A classic potato salad with mayonnaise, mustard, celery, and hard-boiled eggs is a timeless choice. You can also explore variations with herbs, bacon, or a tangy vinaigrette for a twist.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living_87_ClassicPotatoSalad-3348-f520e49939034a38b8248bd332ae0e94.jpg)
Cornbread and Corn Dishes: Sweet and Savory Harmony
Cornbread and corn-based side dishes bring a touch of sweetness and satisfying texture that pairs wonderfully with pulled pork. The slight sweetness of corn complements the savory and smoky flavors of the meat.
Skillet Cornbread: Warm, Moist, and Tender
Skillet cornbread is a Southern staple that’s perfect with pulled pork. Warm, moist, and slightly crumbly, cornbread is ideal for soaking up BBQ sauce or enjoying alongside the tender pork. The crispy edges from skillet cooking add a delightful textural contrast.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Skillet-Cornbread_Beauty2_Audit7042-72-2-311a58b179df45049174a9bf52e4dc21.jpg)
Corn Salad: Fresh and Vibrant Flavors
Corn salad offers a lighter, fresher approach to corn as a side dish. Combining sweet corn kernels with vegetables like tomatoes, red onion, and mozzarella balls creates a vibrant and flavorful salad that complements pulled pork without being too heavy. The fresh veggies and light dressing provide a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the meat.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Corn_Salad_013-c0e5cdd1944b4da78958aa9715492105.jpg)
Creamed Corn Pasta: A Rich and Indulgent Twist
For a more indulgent corn side dish, creamed corn pasta is a unique and delicious option. Transforming classic creamed corn into a pasta dish creates a rich and silky side that pairs surprisingly well with pulled pork. The creamy, sweet corn sauce combined with pasta offers a comforting and satisfying addition to your BBQ.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Creamed_Corn_Pasta_008-66036f65c82549928b88e9a5d8c56a49.jpg)
Potato Side Dishes: Versatile and Satisfying
Potatoes are incredibly versatile and offer a range of textures and flavors that make them excellent side dishes for pulled pork. From crispy fries to creamy mashed potatoes, there’s a potato side for every preference.
Roasted Potatoes: Crispy on the Outside, Fluffy Inside
Roasted potatoes are a simple yet satisfying side dish. Roasting potatoes brings out their natural sweetness and creates a crispy exterior with a fluffy interior. Seasoning with herbs like thyme and rosemary enhances their flavor, making them a versatile and delicious accompaniment to pulled pork.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Roasted_Potatoes_006-1-8e683ab857354fec9adf59c9c27e2a37.jpg)
Spiced Up Shoestring Fries: A Fun and Flavorful Choice
Spiced up shoestring fries offer a fun and flavorful alternative to classic fries. Seasoning fries with spices like cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder adds a bold kick that complements the smoky pulled pork. Serve them with ketchup or a chipotle mayonnaise for dipping.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SL_011223_00254-shoestring-fries-2f2fe5881b0642549a1f755cac8a6631.jpg)
Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and Indulgent
For ultimate comfort food, cheesy baked mashed potatoes are a fantastic choice. Creamy mashed potatoes, elevated with cheese and baked to golden perfection, offer a rich and indulgent side that pairs beautifully with the savory pulled pork.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cheesy_Mashed_Potatoes_009-c1189591af6b479bbd8511852513821c.jpg)
Mac and Cheese: Cheesy Comfort in Many Forms
Mac and cheese is a beloved comfort food that comes in many variations, all of which can be delicious side dishes for pulled pork. The creamy, cheesy richness of mac and cheese is a satisfying complement to the smoky meat.
Classic Mac and Cheese: Timeless and Always a Hit
Classic mac and cheese is a timeless choice that’s always a hit. The creamy, cheesy pasta provides a comforting and familiar side that balances the bolder flavors of pulled pork. Whether it’s a simple stovetop version or a baked casserole, classic mac and cheese is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/27512_WT_MomsMac_305-9e6a668747164613944784d1e4bae3f1.jpg)
Cajun Mac and Cheese: Spice it Up!
For those who like a little heat, Cajun mac and cheese is an excellent option. Adding pepper jack cheese, Cajun seasoning, and bell peppers to mac and cheese creates a spicy and flavorful side that cuts through the richness of pulled pork and adds an exciting kick to your BBQ meal.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cajun_macaroni_and_cheese_1x1-561b1737fc5f4c0e8ab2f491383ef254.jpg)
Barbecue Mac and Cheese: Double the BBQ Flavor
Barbecue mac and cheese takes the BBQ theme even further by incorporating pulled pork directly into the mac and cheese. This creates a hearty and flavorful side dish that’s a meal in itself. It’s a great way to use leftover pulled pork and amplify the BBQ flavors on your plate.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/barbecue-mac-cheese-sl-8af773c8c349466893a912de4906f8b8.jpg)
Fresh and Light Sides: Balancing the Richness
To balance the richness of pulled pork, consider adding fresh and lighter side dishes. Salads and vegetable-based sides provide a refreshing contrast and prevent your meal from feeling too heavy.
Broccoli Salad: Crunchy, Chewy, and Creamy
Broccoli salad is a delightful combination of crunchy broccoli, chewy cranberries, smoky bacon, and cheddar cheese, all tossed in a creamy dressing. The variety of textures and flavors makes it a satisfying and refreshing side dish that complements pulled pork beautifully.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Broccoli_Salad_013-486baf5478dd44b6a0f7f8adc0d5aab5.jpg)
Leafy Green Salad with Sunflower Seed Dressing: Light and Bright
A simple leafy green salad with a light vinaigrette is always a welcome addition to a BBQ spread. The freshness of the greens and the tangy dressing cut through the richness of the pulled pork. Adding a unique dressing like sunflower seed dressing elevates a simple salad and adds a nutty flavor.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/27546_Passov_DIGI_9115-3e0a7289427c4a319391eefdddd2c396.jpg)
Creamy Cucumber Salad: Cool and Refreshing
Creamy cucumber salad is a cool and refreshing side dish, perfect for hot BBQ days. The crisp cucumbers and creamy dressing offer a light and hydrating counterpoint to the heavier pulled pork. You can also lighten it up further by using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream in the dressing.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Creamy_Cucumber_Salad_007-88908db060264dd18a8bbaa93785e6a5.jpg)
Fresh Fruit Salad: Sweet and Juicy
A fresh fruit salad provides a naturally sweet and juicy counterpoint to the savory pulled pork. A mix of seasonal fruits like berries, melons, and oranges offers a light and refreshing end to your BBQ meal or a palate cleanser alongside the richer dishes.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sldigi_fruitsalad58_0_0_1_0_0_0_0_0_0_1_0_0-2000-0f600661578c412d8cf862ec1c2ef1f1.jpg)
Southern Comfort Sides: Hearty and Soulful
For a truly Southern BBQ experience, include some hearty and soulful side dishes that are deeply rooted in Southern cuisine. These sides often feature rich flavors and comforting textures.
Southern-Style Collard Greens: Rich and Flavorful
Southern-style collard greens are a classic Southern side dish that’s rich in flavor and deeply satisfying. Slow-cooked collard greens, often with smoked meat for added flavor, offer a savory and slightly bitter counterpoint to pulled pork. They are a hearty and flavorful addition to any Southern BBQ spread.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20220406_SL_Southern-Style-Collard-Greens_Beauty_1605-9df766d6d96a4d00aeb240165d7a0669.jpg)
Hush Puppies: Crispy and Savory Cornmeal Fritters
Hush puppies are crispy, savory cornmeal fritters that are a quintessential Southern side dish. Fried to golden perfection, hush puppies are delicious dipped in butter or enjoyed alongside pulled pork and other BBQ favorites. Their slightly sweet cornmeal flavor and crispy texture make them incredibly addictive.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Hush-puppies_16x9-2000-2ec2711d2a0c47feaae98c02417adf9e.jpg)
Fried Okra: Crispy and Comforting
Fried okra is another Southern comfort food classic that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The unique flavor of okra, enhanced by frying, makes it a satisfying and comforting side dish. Serve it with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce for an extra touch.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Fried_Okra_007-3089e22bdb654d0da82bbd9c7b74a934.jpg)
Elevate Your Pulled Pork BBQ with Perfect Side Dishes
Choosing the right side dishes is essential to create a memorable pulled pork BBQ meal. From classic coleslaw and baked beans to refreshing salads and comforting mac and cheese, there’s a wide range of options to suit every taste and preference. Experiment with these suggestions and discover your favorite combinations to elevate your next pulled pork barbecue to a whole new level of deliciousness.
