Pulled Pork Sandwich
“Set it, and forget it” that is a phrase most people over the age of 30 know well. This recipe for Pulled Pork Sandwich might be a little more work than Ron Popeil’s Rotisserie but not by much.
The ease of these Pulled Pork Sandwiches is putting everything in a crockpot before you leave for work. ” Set it, and forget it” then arrive to a wonderful smelling kitchen that invites you home. Finish off your Pulled Pork Sandwiches with some Southern Coleslaw and Crusty Bread and eat.
This is a great stand by meal for those days you don’t have time or days you don’t feel like thinking about dinner. The easiest way to start is by making a shopping list. Keep it with you and stop by the grocery store on the way home from work. Even buy all your ingredients on the weekend knowing you will make it sometime the following week.
The List:
- Pork shoulder
- Beer
- Root Beer ( or other favourite Pop )
- Onion
- Red Chili
- Optional Spices – Star Anise, Fennel Seeds, Cardamon, Peppercorn, Cinnamon
- Coleslaw
- Crusty Bread
- BBQ Sauce
“set it, and forget it”
Easy peasy, before you head off to work throw the Pork, Onion, Chili and any spices you might like into your crockpot.
If you noticed the spices I listed have a slight theme to them, they all have strong flavours and a few have liquorice notes like the Star Anise and Fennel Seeds. I chose them because they will all hold up well to the strong flavours of the Pork, Beer and Cola. The spices can be too much of a good thing so I would only choose one or two of the spices at a time, Fennel and Cinnamon or Cardamon and Peppercorns.
Finally pour the Beer and Root Beer, or other Cola, into the crockpot. “Set it ( to low ), and forget it”, at least until you get home, at least 8 hours will make it fork tender.
After a long day at work or short evening because of kids sports, this dinner is easy to finish. Strain the liquid out of the crockpot, shred the Pulled Pork, add the BBQ Sauce and mix. Grab a couple slices of Buttered Crusty Bread scoop some Pulled Pork on and top with some Southern Coleslaw. That easy, 10 minutes and you are eating a Pulled Pork Sandwich for dinner.
Pulled Pork sandwich Flavour boost
So far we have an easy, delicious and quick option for making Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Now how do we add just a little more flavour so our BBQ Sauce doesn’t taste like it is out of a jar.
When you strain the liquid from the crockpot strain it straight into another pot. Place the pot on the stove and simmer the stock until you’re left with half to a quarter cup of liquid. As the liquid reduces use a ladle to skim the fat off the top of the stock. Once the Stock has reduced add it to the Pulled Pork and BBQ Sauce and mix.
You can always use your favourite Coleslaw to top your sandwich but try my Southern Coleslaw recipe for a delish fresh tasting Slaw.
There you have it, super simple Pulled Pork Sandwiches and an easy way to pump up the flavour. Either way I’m sure you will be happy with the result plus you will have at least one day with a little less stress worrying about what to have for dinner.
” Th – Th – Th – Th – Th . . . THAT”S ALL FOLK’S “
Porky Pig
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1.8 Kg Pork Shoulder or 4 Lbs
- 1-2 C Favorite BBQ Sauce Depending how Sloppy you like it
The Aromatics
- 1 Onion Large pieces
- 1 1/2 inch Cinnamon stick 1 tsp Ground
- 1 Tbsp Fennel Seed
- 2 Thai Red Peppers put in whole
- 1 can Root Beer I like Dad’s
- Beer
- 1 tsp Each Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- Nothing complicated here, place your Pork Shoulder into the crockpot then add the Onion, Cinnamon, Fennel,Thai Chili's Salt and Pepper in.
- Crack open the Root Beer and pour it over the pork. I enjoy the malty flavour of Root Beer but you can use any pop you have in the cupboard. It is the sugar we are really after but it is a little nicer putting a pop in rather than handfuls of raw Sugar.
- Next the Beer, I like my Scotch Ale's so that is typically what I have around the house. Any Ale is good but try not to use anything lighter, the heavier the Beer the more flavour you will get out it. NOW open the Beer take one giant sip ( remembering you still need some for the pork )and top up the crockpot until the Pork shoulder is almost covered.
- Put the lid on the crockpot set it low and …….. "Set it, and forget it"…. for at least 6 hrs or until you get home from work.
- You have had a long day, you just want to sit down and eat so here is what you do. Pull the beautifully tender Pork Shoulder out of the crockpot into a bowl. As it is cooling cut your Crusty Bread and grab the Southern Coleslaw from the fridge.
- Using tongs or a pair of forks start shredding the Pork apart. Don’t be shy dig right in, maybe think about something your boss said today and rip that Pork apart.
- Finally add the BBQ Sauce, I prefer a sweeter BBQ Sauce for Pork, mix and you're ready. Butter your Bread, why because Butter makes everything better of course. Place your Incredible BBQ pork on a nicely Buttered Bun, top with Coleslaw and ENJOY!
- There is one more option if you are interested in a little more work. Strain that wonderful cooking liquid from the crockpot into a saucepan, use 2-3 cups worth. Turn the heat to med-high and start to reduce it, make sure to use a ladle and skim the fat off the top. Continue to reduce until you have about 1/2 – 1/4 cup of liquid left, about 30 minutes. Add this to your BBQ Sauce and mix together with the Pork. You have now knocked it out to a different level ….. congrats.