Once you’re done making this pulled pork recipe, you can use it for barbecue, Mexican food, sandwiches, or pasta!
This pulled pork is the best! It’s so simple to make with just a few ingredients, and the flavors work so well together that you can eat it by itself or use the meat in another dish.
Whenever I’m planning dinner I like to have a specific meal in mind. My creative husband always tells me to make a lot of meat so that we can eat it in different ways over the next few days. This pulled pork is exactly that – a versatile base to so many incredible recipe ideas.
I often jump to barbecue pork when thinking about shredded pork. You could do this, but why not make this one recipe and serve it as barbecue pork one night and with Italian pasta the next? We find that this pulled pork tastes best just the way it is!
One reason I love this recipe is because it’s easy. When you cook something so quickly, the results are great, which isn’t always the case with short-cook pulled pork. That pork is so juicy, and the flavor and moisture stay in it longer because I cook it whole instead of cutting it up. Also, I don’t trim the fat before cooking because it makes the dish taste better! But I do get rid of that fat eventually because I don’t like eating it.
I had to talk to myself about this recipe because I always want to add a lot of things. I really tried to tone it back and get back to the basics and it’s paid off. Because of the simplicity this shredded pork becomes much more versatile!.
Could you freeze some of this recipe? Yes, you can! I would suggest freezing some of the liquid with the meat so that when you thaw it and reheat it, you have the juices to mix back into the meat.
BBQ Pulled Pork: Just add your favorite barbecue sauce and serve as is, or put it on a bun and make a barbecue sandwich. Keep an eye out for my homemade barbecue sauce recipe, it’ll be shared here soon!.
For tacos and burritos with pork, strain out some of the juice and serve with rice, onion, beans, avocado, lime juice, and so on.
Pasta and shredded pork are a great pair. I prefer a thicker noodle when adding pork, like a Penne or Rigatoni. Add some spinach, onions, tomatoes that have been sautéed, and a tomato-based or white cream sauce. You’ll have a tasty meal!
Pulled Pork Sandwich: Let the flavors shine without adding too many extra ingredients. We like to use a firmer bread like a sourdough. Layer cheese, onion, shredded pork, and of course more cheese.
Pulled pork is a classic BBQ dish that is usually served on bread, like in sandwiches or sliders. However, for those looking to cut carbs or just mix things up, pulled pork can easily be enjoyed without the bread! In this article, I’ll share 15 amazing recipes for serving pulled pork creatively and deliciously without the bun.
Why Serve Pulled Pork Without Bread?
There are a few good reasons you may want to skip the bread and serve pulled pork in other ways
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You’re cutting carbs or following a low-carb or keto diet. Removing the bread slashes a major source of carbs.
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You’re gluten-free. Most bread contains gluten, so avoiding it makes recipes GF.
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You want to present pulled pork in a fun, new way. Bread can get boring after a while!
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You want to add more veggies and nutrition. Serving pulled pork in salads, bowls, stuffed peppers etc boosts nutrition
No matter the reason, pulled pork translates deliciously to breadless dishes. Let’s look at 15 exciting ways to serve it up!
1. Pulled Pork Tacos and Burritos
Using pulled pork in Mexican recipes like tacos and burritos is an obvious but delicious bread substitute. You get all the flavor of traditional pulled pork in a handheld package, just swap the tortilla for the bun! Some options include:
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Pulled pork tacos – Load pulled pork, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce into soft corn or flour tortillas. Add hot sauce or salsa for extra flavor.
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Pulled pork burrito bowls – Fill a bowl with pulled pork, Mexican rice, black beans, sautéed peppers and onions, guacamole, and enchilada sauce. Top with cheese and cilantro.
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Pulled pork quesadillas – Sandwich pulled pork and cheese between flour tortillas and grill until crispy. Cut into triangles and serve with salsa and sour cream for dipping.
2. Pulled Pork Salads
Turning pulled pork into a main-dish salad is an easy way to skip the bread. Here are some delicious salad ideas:
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Pulled pork Cobb salad – Top chopped romaine with pulled pork, bacon, avocado, hard-boiled egg, tomatoes, blue cheese and ranch dressing.
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Pulled pork taco salad – Fill a fried tortilla bowl with shredded lettuce, pulled pork, peppers, onions, black beans, corn, shredded cheese and chipotle ranch dressing.
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Pulled pork Waldorf salad – Toss pulled pork with apples, celery, walnuts, raisins and a creamy poppyseed dressing. Serve on a bed of greens.
3. Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps
Using crisp lettuce leaves in place of a bun gives a fun presentation to pulled pork. Great options for fillings include:
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Pulled pork with mango, red onion, cilantro and lime yogurt sauce wrapped in butter lettuce or romaine leaves.
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Pulled pork with sweet & spicy slaw wrapped in iceberg lettuce cups.
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Pulled pork with guacamole, pico de gallo and queso fresco in Boston or bibb lettuce cups.
4. Pulled Pork Stuffed Potatoes
Baked potatoes make a hearty vessel for pulled pork instead of a bun. Turn them into a complete meal with creative toppings like:
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Twice baked potatoes with pulled pork, cheddar, bacon, green onions and sour cream.
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Pulled pork loaded sweet potatoes with BBQ sauce, cheddar and scallions.
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Chili pulled pork baked potatoes with pulled pork chili, onions and shredded cheese.
5. Pulled Pork Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Trading bready rice and pasta for riced cauliflower is an easy way to make pulled pork bowls and skillets carb-free. Try recipes like:
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BBQ pulled pork bowls – Pulled pork atop cauli rice with roasted broccoli and drizzled with BBQ sauce.
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Tex Mex pulled pork skillet – Pulled pork, riced cauliflower, black beans, corn and salsa baked with a chipotle cheese sauce.
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Mediterranean pulled pork skillet with cauliflower rice, artichoke hearts, spinach, feta and sun-dried tomatoes.
6. Pulled Pork Casserole Dishes
Serving pulled pork in a casserole dish allows you to skip the bread but keep it hearty by mixing in veggies and cheese. Some yummy options include:
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Pulled pork shepherd’s pie – Pulled pork, peas, carrots and gravy topped with creamy cauliflower mash. Baked until golden.
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Pulled pork stuffed peppers – Bell peppers stuffed with pulled pork, rice, smoky tomatoes and cheese.
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Pulled pork enchilada casserole – Layers of tortillas, pulled pork, enchilada sauce, beans, and cheese.
7. Pulled Pork Soups, Stews and Chilis
Warm bowls of soup and stew are comforting choices for chilly days. Try adding pulled pork to recipes like:
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Pulled pork chili – Kidney beans, pulled pork, tomatoes, onions, chili powder and cumin. Garnish with scallions.
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Pulled pork stew – Pulled pork, potatoes, peas, carrots and celery simmered in a savory broth.
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Pulled pork tortilla soup – With black beans, corn, zucchini and topped with crunchy tortilla strips.
8. Pulled Pork Pizza
Using pulled pork as a pizza topping allows you to skip the crust completely or swap in a low-carb cauliflower crust. Some pizza ideas include:
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BBQ pulled pork pizza with red onion and cilantro on a thin, crispy crust.
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Mexican pulled pork pizza with pork, peppers, onion, cheddar and salsa verde on a cauliflower crust.
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Greek pulled pork pizza with feta, artichokes, red onion, spinach and lemon zest on a crust of your choice.
9. Pulled Pork Sandwiches Without Bread
For pulled pork sandwiches minus the bun, try these creative low-carb swaps:
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Pulled pork lettuce wrap sandwiches – Butter lettuce, Boston bibb or iceberg lettuce leaves replacing buns.
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Pulled pork stuffed tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes hollowed out and filled with pulled pork and coleslaw.
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Pulled pork in sweet potato buns – Baked sweet potato halves used in place of bread.
10. Pulled Pork Pastas
Zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash and other veggie pastas make tasty pulled pork pasta dishes without the carbs:
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Pulled pork zoodle Bolognese – Pulled pork and marinara over zucchini noodles. Top with parmesan.
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Pulled pork spaghetti squash boats – Halved and roasted spaghetti squash topped with pork and cheese then baked.
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Pulled pork lasagna roll ups with noodles replaced by thin sliced zucchini or eggplant.
11. Pulled Pork Stir Frys
Pairing pulled pork with crisp, fresh veggies like in a stir fry is a healthy way to skip the carbs. Consider recipes like:
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Asian pulled pork stir fry with broccoli, bell peppers, onions, sesame oil and hoisin glaze. Serve over cauliflower rice.
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Fajita pulled pork stir fry with southwest flavors and veggies like peppers and corn. Enjoy in lettuce cups.
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Hawaiian pulled pork stir fry with pineapple, peppers, snap peas and teriyaki glaze.
12. Pulled Pork Kabobs
Skewered pulled pork makes for a fun, hand-held pork option perfect for grilling. Try kabobs like:
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BBQ pulled pork kabobs with cherry tomatoes, red onion and pineapple.
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Jerk pulled pork kabobs with bell peppers, mango and red onion.
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Greek pulled pork kabobs with tomato, artichokes, olives and feta.
13. Pulled Pork Egg Rolls
Ditching the starchy egg roll wrapper, you can wrap pulled pork and veggies in collard greens or lettuce leaves instead. Or make:
- Zucchini pulled pork egg rolls – Shredded zucchini replacing egg roll wrappers, filled with pork and spices.
14. Pulled Pork Omelets and Frittatas
Eggs make a hearty replacement for buns in the morning. Whip up recipes like:
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BBQ pulled pork omelet with cheddar cheese, scallions and avocado.
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Pulled pork frittata with caramelized onions, cheese and roasted red peppers.
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Mexican pulled pork breakfast taco – Scrambled eggs with pulled pork, peppers, onions, cheese and salsa in lettuce cups.
15. Pulled Pork Smoothie Bowls
Blend pulled pork into smoothies and smoothie bowls for a unique take on this classic. Toppings like peanut butter and banana complement the
Recipe Idea for Open-Faced Sandwich
½ cup shredded cheese (We love Gouda, Mozzarella, white cheddar) 1-2 tbsp. diced or sliced onion ½ cup pulled pork How to build and bake this sandwich.
Place ½ of the cheese on the bottom, then the onion, the pork, and the rest of the cheese. Bake at 400℉ on the middle rack for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts to your liking. You can use a regular oven or a toaster oven with the same settings.
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I’ve Been Making This Pulled Pork Sandwich For 17 Years Straight
FAQ
What can you eat with pulled pork instead of bread?
Can you eat pulled pork without a bun?
How else to eat pulled pork?
Can you put pulled pork in a sandwich?
Slow-cooked or smoked pulled pork remains one of my favorite meat dishes to this day. Put it in a sandwich and I can’t say no. After a while though, sandwich after sandwich can get a bit boring. So what more can we do with pulled pork than just sandwiches? In today’s post I’m going to show you a whole variety of ways that we can let pork stand out.
Can one eat pork?
A cooked, medium pork cutlet or steak provides 239 calories, 34 grams protein, 10 grams fat, 4 grams saturated fat, 697 milligrams sodium, and 0 grams carbohydrate, if you eat only the lean part of the steak. Pork contains many of the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) found in beef and it is high in protein, but can be lower in fat than beef—depending on cut and preparation. Meat from any kind of mammal, including pork, can cause an allergic reaction (and some people who are allergic to mammalian meat also react to poultry).
What to serve with pulled pork?
Making pulled pork doesn’t automatically mean you have to serve it with a sticky sweet barbecue sauce. This recipe is proof of that. The meat is cooked with dried shiitake mushrooms, soy sauce, mirin, and toasted sesame oil; once it’s fork-tender and fully cooked, serve it on buns with a hearty winter slaw.
What to do with leftover pulled pork?
Making use of leftover pulled pork, this recipe combines it with one of my other favorite comfort foods: Shepherd’s Pie. The dish might traditionally be made with ground lamb, but the pork steps up to the plate brilliantly. If you really want to experiment even more, you could even try to mix it up with some sweet potatoes and a dash of bourbon.