What To Serve With Pulled Pork (26 Simple Sides)

Pulled pork is a popular dish across cultures that is made from slow-cooked, tender pork shoulder or butt, seasoned to perfection, and then shredded into succulent strands. Its versatility makes it an ideal choice for lunch or dinner. Pulled pork is prepared by marinating the meat with a blend of spices, herbs, and sauces, and then slow-cooking it until it becomes incredibly tender.

The slow-cooking process allows the flavors to meld, resulting in a rich, smoky, and savory taste. The pork is then shredded into small pieces, creating a texture that melts in your mouth. These 26 sides for pulled pork celebrate the savory, tender shredded meat without taking over in flavor. Each dish complements the pork in its own unique way, so you can easily choose your favorite from the list and never go wrong. From potatoes to buns, we’ve got a variety to choose from, so let’s get to it! 

1. Sides for Pulled Pork: Sweet Potato Wedges

If you’ve never paired pulled pork with sweet potatoes, it’s an absolute must-try. The slight sweetness in the potatoes brings out the natural sweetness in the pork, that no other side can do. It only takes 10 minutes to make roasted sweet potato wedges at home. They are kid-friendly and adults love them too.

2. Homemade Brioche Burger Buns

Any time pulled pork is brought into the picture, a good flavorful bun is a must. It makes a fantastic hearty sandwich that can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Brioche burger buns bring in a bit of sweetness that makes pulled pork sandwiches to die for. These homemade brioche buns are a breeze to make. 

3. Sides for Pulled Pork: Creamy Cilantro Lime Coleslaw

Just like a bun, a creamy coleslaw is a must-make if there’s pulled pork on the table. This recipe has a bit of a twist on the classic dish, by adding in cilantro and lime. We know cilantro and lime is a delicious combination that also pairs well with pulled pork, so this combo is genius. 

4. Puerto Rican Beans and Rice

This isn’t just any beans and rice recipe, it’s straight from a Puerto Rican grandmother, so you know it’s absolutely packed with flavor and very authentic. You’ll need dried pinto or pink beans, dried sazon, sofrito (a Puerto Rican sauce), and sazon seasoning. Green pigeon peas are an incredible and very good for you ingredient. White basmati rice is a great kind to use, but you can substitute another rice type.

5. Heirloom Tomato Salad

If you’re looking for something light, whether it’s summer or you just want something healthy, this heirloom tomato salad is a fantastic option. The bright tangy tomatoes bring in a fresh bite and balance out the rich, fatty pulled pork. Fresh herbs, feta cheese, and a bit of garlic and onion bring it all together. 

6. Easy Ultimate Baked Beans

This recipe for Ultimate Easy Baked Beans is so easy to make in a slow cooker! Just combine the ingredients, stir, and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Since the crockpot does the work for you, you can sit back and enjoy the delicious aroma coming from these baked beans and your pulled pork. Everyone will be drooling by the time dinner rolls around. 

7. Roasted Parmesan Green Beans

These aren’t just a regular side of green beans. Roasted parmesan green beans are slightly crunchy, giving much-needed texture to a tender pulled pork dish. These green beans are coated with a mixture of parmesan cheese and panko bread crumbs. Plus, they are roasted, so the texture is perfect. 

8. Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes Carrots and Zucchini

Other veggies that roast up really well are potatoes and carrots. With zucchini thrown into the mix, you get a nice mix of dense carbs and lighter veggies. This veggie mix is coated in garlic and spices and then roasted to perfection. While it will be amazing as a side of pulled pork, putting the pork right on top of a big bowl of this is divine! 

9. Sides for Pulled Pork: Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

A creamy baked mac and cheese with a thick cheese sauce and crunchy, golden baked cheese topping is comfort food perfection and incredibly easy to whip up. It pairs so well with pork, that it has to be included on this list of sides for pulled pork. The richness from both mac and cheese and the pork will have everyone digging in without complaint. 

10. Creamy Baked Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts are normally roasted or boiled and while they do pair well with pork that way, this recipe switches things up a bit! When you’re not in the mood to make something fancy or complicated, these creamy brussel sprouts are the perfect side dish! They’re ready in less than 30 minutes and taste like you spent the entire in the kitchen. 

11. Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

This quick casserole is simply made with just six ingredients. It’s what you need if you need to throw something together quickly. The tater tots are coated in a mixture of sour cream, cheddar cheese, and cream of mushroom soup. The French onion topping gives it a fantastic crunch, and the whole thing is divine as a side for pulled pork. 

12. Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob

If you don’t have the grilling space to cook corn on the cob (or maybe it’s the dead of winter and you don’t want to stand outside!), this oven-roasted corn on the cob is a great go-to recipe. It’s still buttery and tender, and divine next to a huge chunk of pulled pork. It’s very family-friendly as well as crowd-friendly, as it’s easy to make a large batch! 

13. Air Fryer Mexican Corn (Elote)

Another version of corn is this Elote. But it’s made in the air fryer, which gives it a delicious crunch on the outside. Not to mention it’s covered in amazing spices and cheeses. Fresh cilantro and squeezed lime bring out the amazing Mexican flavors in the corn as well as the pulled pork. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ve got a flavor-packed meal. 

14. Sides for Pulled Pork: Truffle Fries

You can’t beat a good batch of fries with pulled pork, especially if they’re truffle fries. Truffle Fries are a restaurant staple side dish that’s so easy to make at home with parmesan cheese and truffle oil. Although the flavor is strong and rich, it stands up to pulled pork enough that it will only enhance the whole dinner – not overpower it. 

15. Slightly Sweet Apple Pecan Fruit Salad

Spiced apple fruit salad is a lighter and healthier pulled pork side dish that combines crunchy apples, sweet grapes, tangy oranges, dried cranberries, and toasted nuts. If you’re in the autumn or winter months, this fruit salad is a great way to keep things refreshing, but comforting and winter-themed! 

16. Grilled Balsamic Peaches

Grilled peaches can be used for dessert, but with this balsamic glaze added, they make an amazing pulled pork side dish. The succulent peaches caramelize on the grill, which only adds to the delightful flavor of the dish. The sweetness from the peaches and from the caramelization balance perfectly with the tangy balsamic and the savory pulled pork. 

17. Sides for Pulled Pork: Pineapple Coleslaw

This is such an easy recipe, but still full of flavor, and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. In fact, letting it sit for a day or two in the fridge only enhances the flavor. The pineapple really shines through in this coleslaw, giving any pulled pork entree a tropical, sweet, and tangy bite. It’s a yummy surprise that goes perfectly on a pulled pork sandwich. 

18. Ultra Flavorful Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad is a BBQ staple, and this recipe shows how to pack it with flavor. Elbow Macaroni Noodles are the classic shape for Macaroni Salad, but Ditalini pasta, wagon wheels, or shells can be a fun substitution. Add in dill pickles, red onion, celery and red bell pepper finely diced for crunch, sweetness, and color. Just a few more steps, and you’ve got an ultra-flavorful macaroni salad. 

19. Sides for Pulled Pork: Air Fryer Onion Rings

Crispy, sweet, and savory onion rings are perfect for this list of sides for pulled pork. However, frying things at home can take a while and make a huge mess. This air fryer version is the solution. You’ll get perfectly crispy onion rings every time with minimal effort and minimal mess. 

20. Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

Not much can beat a warm, crunchy, melted mozzarella stick. Except for making them at home and pairing them with succulent pulled pork. You could have a whole plate full if you wanted, and eat it nacho style with the pulled pork. No judgment here! Homemade mozzarella sticks are seasoned with breadcrumbs on the outside and hot, gooey melted cheese on the inside. Serve them with marinara sauce for dipping, and a generous helping of tender pulled pork. 

21. Honey Butter Skillet Corn

You will be amazed at how easy it is to make this dish and get the flavor that comes from it. By sauteeing a few simple ingredients – corn, honey, butter, and cream cheese – you end up with a similar version to creamed corn. But you will notice an amazing flavor (the honey!) that ties this skillet corn into the pulled pork perfectly. 

22. Sides for Pulled Pork: Healthy Cornbread

Leave all the calories for your pulled pork and make this healthy cornbread to go along with it. Most cornbread can have up to a cup of sugar in the recipe, but this version is lightened up. Don’t worry, it still packs the Southern flavor we all love. It’s perfect for soaking up any leftover juice from the pulled pork. 

23. Easy Lemon Orzo Salad

This easy Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta is loaded with fresh herbs, cucumbers, peppers, and lots of feta. Feta brings a punch of flavor as well as a creamy element needed through the tender orzo and shredded pork. Cucumbers and peppers give color, freshness, and a good crunch tossed throughout. 

24. Sides for Pulled Pork: Feel Good Fall Salad

This roasted sweet potato and arugula salad feels just right for the sometimes-warm, sometimes-cool days that happen as you head into Autumn. Pulled pork is often a summer BBQ meat, but it’s hearty enough to be made in the fall as well, so this feel-good fall salad will pair amazingly. 

25. Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy caviar or Cowboy salsa is often served as an appetizer at a BBQ or potluck, but I’m here to tell you that it should be paired as a side for pulled pork. It’s packed with bright tangy flavors that perfectly cut through the rich savory pork. You could even put a little bit of both (cowboy caviar and pulled pork) on a chip, and enjoy it that way. 

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26. Sides for Pulled Pork: Smoked Potato Casserole

There are a plethora of potato casseroles out there, but a smoked potato casserole is the way to go if you need a side for pulled pork. It brings in the delicious smoky flavor we want from any type of BBQ meat and will round out the entire dinner. As long as you have a smoker to do the work for you, you’ll end up with a casserole that will win everyone over. 

With this list of 26 sides for pulled pork, you can explore the savory meat and elevate your lunch or dinner experience. Its versatility and ease of preparation make it a fantastic option for any occasion. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or a cooking novice, pulled pork is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving more.