Wondering what the best pulled pork sides are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide. So that you can find a great side for your pork dinner in a hurry!
Pulled Pork + Amazing Side Dish = PERFECTION!
When serving pulled pork, there are 4 essentials:
- An amazing homemade barbecue sauce.
- Napkins. Lots of napkins. Especially if pulled pork sandwiches are involved.
- Wine. Here are 7 bottles that pair perfectly with barbecue.
- And, of course, some really stellar side dishes.
From classics such as mac & cheese and potato salad to healthier options such as vinegar coleslaw (my personal favorite) and quick pickles, there are so many options.
Favorite Sides for Pulled Pork
These are some of my favorite pork side dishes:
- Crunchy Slaw – A great choice, especially added on top of a pulled pork sandwich.
- German Potato Salad – This classic side dish is perfect for summer BBQs because it’s mayo-free.
- Tomato Cucumber Salad – This fresh salad is one of the best healthy sides.
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese – A definite crowd pleaser!
But the list goes on! Keep reading to discover 35+ delicious sides for pulled pork!
The BEST Pulled Pork Side Dishes
Red Cabbage Coleslaw (No Mayo)
Red Cabbage Slaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayo. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.
Red Cabbage Slaw
German Potato Salad
This delicious warm German Potato Salad combines tender potatoes with a warm bacon-mustard vinaigrette dressing. It’s tangy, creamy and the perfect side dish for the summer grilling season.
German Potato Salad
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Learn how to make the BEST Instant Pot Corn on the Cob. This pressure cooker corn on the cob recipe uses a simple, secret ingredient to guarantee that your corn is sweet, tender and delicious!
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Instant Pot pinto beans are easy to make and taste so much better than the canned version! Perfect for meal prep or as a side dish to your favorite tacos, salads, or protein bowls, these beans can be ready in under an hour with no soaking required.
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Mexican Street Corn Potato Salad
Creamy potato salad meets smoky street corn in this easy Street Corn Potato Salad. It’s the ultimate Mexican-inspired side dish for summer picnics, backyard BBQs, and everyday dinners. Serve it with grilled meats, tacos, and more.
Mexican Street Corn Potato Salad
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
These quick and easy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes are deliciously seasoned and cooked to crispy and golden perfection! Enjoy them as a convenient side dish or healthy snack to pair with almost anything.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
These easy air fryer Hasselback potatoes are drenched in garlic herb butter, giving you an almost addictive crispy-on-the-outside, pillowy-on-inside snack or side dish in no time.
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Mexican Street Corn Salad
This Couscous Corn Salad puts a salad twist on Mexican Street Corn. Smoky grilled corn, a creamy cumin-lime dressing, and pearl couscous combine to create this delicious salad.
Couscous Corn Salad
Cauliflower Potato Salad
This Cauliflower Potato Salad is just like potato salad, but without the potatoes! Steamed cauliflower and crisp veggies are tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing, leaving you with a low-carb and keto-friendly side dish for cookouts, potlucks, or any quick dinner.
Cauliflower Potato Salad
Blistered Shishito Peppers Recipe
These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you.
Blistered Shishito Peppers
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
This is the BEST Instant Pot Mac and Cheese! Made extra creamy with evaporated milk, plus delicious cheddar & parmesan cheese. It can be made in just 4 minutes with your electric pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer. Dip them in an easy-to-prepare creamy aioli flavored with tarragon and lemon.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Hawaiian Coleslaw
Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds and a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette brings a tropical taste to traditional slaw.
Hawaiian Coleslaw
Mediterranean Tomato Cucumber Salad
This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Air Fryer Shoestring Fries
These Air Fryer Shoestring Fries come out exactly like your favorite fast food fries! They’re crispy, golden on the outside and perfectly fluffy inside. SO much better than deep frying or baking! Plus, you can cook different types of fries – waffle fries, steak fries and more!
Air Fryer Frozen Shoestring Fries
1 Hour Pickles
These Quick Pickled Cucumbers are ready to eat in 1 hour! There’s no canning required and they stay crisp for months.
Quick Pickled Cucumbers
Mexican Pasta Salad
This Mexican Pasta Salad is a fiesta of tender pasta, black beans, sweet corn, and crisp veggies, all tossed in a creamy, zesty chili-lime dressing. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
Mexican Pasta Salad
Instant Pot Black Beans (No Soak!)
These no soak Instant Pot Black Beans are easy to make and taste so much better than the canned version! Perfect for meal prep or as a side dish to your favorite tacos, salads, or protein bowls, these black beans can be ready in under an hour.
Instant Pot Black Beans
Grilled Bell Peppers
Learn how to make perfectly tender and blistered Grilled Bell Peppers at home! It’s one of the best and easiest side dishes you can add to burrito bowls, fajitas, or pair with grilled meats.
Grilled Bell Peppers
The BEST Arugula Salad Dressing
This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.
Arugula Salad
Pickled Cabbage (Quick & Easy)
You’ll want to keep a jar of this Pickled Red Cabbage in your fridge at all times. Not only is it fast and easy, but you can use it on anything! Pile it onto tacos, burgers, pork sandwiches, and so much more.
Pickled Red Cabbage
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
No Soak Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas cook up quickly with the help of your pressure cooker. Serve this traditional side dish on New Year's for good luck!
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Quick Pickled Red Onions
Quick Pickled Onions are so easy to make at home. With just 5-minutes you can have your red onions pickling. Let them cool to room temperature before using and then you can store them in the fridge for up to two weeks!
Pickled Red Onions
The BEST Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Sweet Potatoes are a salty, crispy, savory, and slightly sweet side dish you can pair with almost anything! Lightly spiced and so simple, this easy recipe is a total crowd pleaser and a must-have for weeknight dinners.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Shirazi Salad
This simple Shirazi Salad recipe features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed with plenty of fresh herbs and tossed with a tangy dressing made with lime juice and olive oil. Every bite is bursting with refreshing flavors!
Shirazi Salad
Peach Caprese Salad
This fresh and tangy Peach Caprese Salad features sweet peaches, creamy burrata cheese, and juicy tomatoes. A perfect blend of summery flavors, this simple yet delicious salad is the ideal late summer side dish!
Peach Caprese Salad
Lebanese Cabbage Salad (Malfouf Salad)
Lebanese Cabbage Salad (Malfouf Salad) is packed with crunchy cabbage, fresh herbs, and a tangy lemon dressing. Quick, easy & delicious! It makes a perfect side dish or light meal.
Lebanese Cabbage Salad
Zucchini Pasta Salad
This Zucchini Pasta Salad recipe may be the best I've tried to date! Packed with sauteed zucchini, loads of parmesan cheese, fresh dill and crunchy walnuts.
Zucchini Pasta Salad
Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons
This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons.
Cherry Tomato Salad
Fried Green Beans with Dipping Sauce
Crispy Fried Green Beans are baked in the oven for a healthy, delicious treat. Served up with three dipping sauces – green goddess, honey mustard & creamy sriracha. A secret ingredient makes them extra delicious! Air Fryer directions included.
Green Bean Fries
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
Vegetarian Kale Caesar Salad
This Kale Caesar Salad is topped with crispy homemade croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.
Kale Caesar Salad
Shaved Fennel Salad
This Fennel Celery Salad comes together quickly and has such a delicious light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette and wonderful crunch. It's the perfect side salad for rich and hearty dishes like pasta or braised short ribs.
Shaved Fennel Salad
Grilled Potato Salad
Say bye bye to basic potato salad. This Grilled Potato Salad combines smoky grilled potatoes with a delicious tangy mustard dressing that’s loaded with fresh herbs and salty capers. It’s delicious!
Grilled Potato Salad
Honey Roasted Carrots
These honey roasted carrots are everything you want in a simple side dish. They’re sweet and savory with just the right level of caramelization to make your mouth water in anticipation! With a quick toss of olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper, they roast up beautifully and are presented with a pop of color from the sprinkle of fresh dill.
Honey Roasted Carrots
How to Serve Pulled Pork
- Sandwiched between a bun to make Pulled Pork Sandwiches or Pork Sliders.
- Piled into Pork Tacos with pickled onions.
- On top of baked tortilla chips to make Pork Nachos.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these pulled pork dish recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
More Side Dish Recipes
Full Recipe
35+ Sides for Pulled Pork
Wondering what the best sides for pulled pork are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide. So that you can find a great side for your pork dinner in a hurry! This Vinegar Slaw is one of my favorites!
Print
Pin
Serves 12 people
Ingredients
- ½ head red cabbage (shredded)
- ½ head green cabbage (shredded)
- 1 carrot (grated)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Add cabbage and carrot to a large bowl.
- Whisk together apple cider vinegar, honey, olive oil and salt. Pour over cabbage mixture.
- Toss well to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.
Notes
In place of the cabbage and carrot, you can use a 16-ounce package of shredded cabbage mix.
Nutrition
Calories: 39kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 169mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1276IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
Leave a Reply