What to serve with pulled pork in the UK?
In this article we will look at sweet, savory and spicy dishes and sides that pair best with pulled pork.
Summer lunches or dinner highlights the delectable backyard barbecue not just as such simple pulled pork, but with the right side dishes, can turn into elegant meals.
Planning out a cookout for your family and friends can be daunting and quite tasking. Make it more enjoyable by surprising your loved ones with a simple yet impressive menu of pulled pork and the well thought of side dishes.
With pulled pork, serving the side dishes should be varied and complimentary. As the heavy meat is the main highlight, sides can be something from sweet and light, tasty and refreshing, soft to crunchy and twists of everything in between.
And yes, pulled pork is not just a sandwich with a coleslaw. We can take the pulled pork into a totally different level of mouth watering treat.
You can even make it Asian-style or Italian-style, and the good old traditional American way. There is no wrong or right way to do or eat it. It’s important to enjoy it with your family and friends.
What to serve with pulled porkin the UK (13 Best sides):
- Sweet Jalapeno cornbread
- Sweet Corn Fritters
- Adrienne’s Cucumber salad
- Honey Butter biscuit
- Spicy Collard Greens
- Classic Rice Pilaf
- Mexican corn on the cob
- Best baked french fries
- Coleslaw
- Macaroni Salad
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Rainbow Fruit Salad
- Baked Beans
Sweet Jalapeno Cornbread:
Cornbread is a classic pair of pulled pork dishes where you can never go wrong. Spice it up a bit with adding Jalapeno on it. It incorporates the sharp flavor of cheddar and spicy jalapeno for that classic corn goodness with a distinct twist.
It is very easy to make from scratch, yet a sure hit on the table. The blend of savory sweet goodness is hard not to miss eating with pulled pork.
Sweet Corn Fritters
A crunchy alternative to all the heavy barbecued meat is a fritter. Even young kids will enjoy its crunchy flavorful taste. The golden, crispy deep fried sweet corn balls is a surefire hit with pulled pork.
You can also try other recipes like the Buttermilk Hush Puppies for that Northern Carolina crispy goodness of batter balls.
Adrienne’s Cucumber Salad
Composed of vinegar and dill give this sliced cucumbers and white onions a pickle like tangy goodness, making it a perfect pair with sweet and savory pulled pork.
Honey Butter Biscuits
A pulled pork barbecue party will never be the same without the classic honey butter biscuits that everyone will surely enjoy. They are very easy to make, and a sure hit with the young and young at hearts alike.
Try not to serve the instant biscuits from the can, as the ones from scratch are not that hard to make. The best part about the bread side dish is that it will act as a sponge wiping out all the sauce that’s left on your plate, leaving no drop behind.
Watch out on serving this before the actual meat, as it might disappear with the roving kids hands even before the party starts.
Check out this recipe for honey butter biscuits.
Spicy Collard Greens
Another top Southern side dish is collard greens, and it is everywhere for sure. The spicy twist of the greens will make the pulled pork dish standout. And a great compliment to the savory meat that you cannot just resist.
There’s a lot of recipes for the collards that you can try so you’ll never have the same one each time.
Classic Rice Pilaf
This simple yet flavorful rice is a sure show stealer if paired with the barbecued pulled pork dish. It simply stands out in any party. Reviews attest that this versatile dish just goes nicely with any dish like pork, fish, steak or chicken.
Never start a barbecue pulled pork party without this one, it’s a crime.
Mexican corn on the cob
This corn is never to be taken for granted. Try grilling it mayo, and it will take it to a whole different level. It acts as a binder to the corn, and tastes just fabulous. Stock up on this one on your next barbecue pulled pork party.
Best Baked French Fries
The classic potato side dish that can fit into any occasion. It used to be solely for burger and fries, the inseparable duo. But, pulled pork and fries should be a thing too. Never miss this on your table as a classic starter and side.
Try it on top of your pulled pork, and you’ll never look for any buns again the same way.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw is another classic in your menu, never to miss. One of the best sides that should always be available for pulled pork. And you can make various versions of this one as you see fit or as whatever’s in your fridge.
The traditional coleslaw is a definite. But if you want to sway a bit to the healthy side, try the healthier version of low fat mayo or even a vegan mayo. Or skip it out entirely so vegans and vegetarians in your crowd can enjoy the sides instead.
Macaroni Salad
This side is best served chilled and it’ll be a hit. A fun filling side that you will always want as a side dish to your barbecue party. This can be done a night before and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
This is also a tricky way to serve the tiny veggies to the kids without the complaints.
Macaroni and Cheese
Another comfort food that will be a surefire hit in your table is the macaroni and cheese. Very easy to make, and it even comes in an instant pack or can.
Gooey cheddar and cream cheese sauce with Dijon mustard, mixed with macaroni and topped with breadcrumbs, just spells yum.
Rainbow Fruit Salad
Take that pulled pork barbecue party up a notch by pairing it with the side dish cum dessert, better known as the fruit salad. And better if its rainbow colored fruit salad, the healthier the better. You can make it a variety of fresh produced local fruits from your market, and it will be a feast in the eyes.
It will work wonders pairing the meat with the sweetness of the fruits and condensed milk. Serving a big bowl of fruit salad is a great choice for any party.
Baked Beans
Nothing beats a low and slow cooked pulled pork paired with a low and slow cooked baked beans. Think you’re a genius, yes you are!
Throw in some brown sugar for the sweetness or apple cider for that tangy goodness to your baked beans, let it simmer and it’s ready. This traditional pairing is one you should not do without.
After barbecue pulled pork party leftover:
- Pulled pork taquitos
- Cuban French Bread pizza
- Pulled pork mexican pizza
- Smoked pulled pork hash
- Pulled pork stuffed avocados
- Pulled pork bratwurst
- Pulled pork shepherd’s pie
- BBQ pulled pork stuff sweet potatoes
- Pulled pork mashed potato sundaes
- Pulled pork sweet pepper tacos
Here are 10 ideas on how to serve pulled pork without the bun:
- Taco filling
- With mashed potatoes
- Polenta
- Tortillas wrap
- With Chili con carne
- Added to poached eggs, kimchi or potato cakes
- With sweet potato fritters
- As lasagna meat substitute
- Add to a simple salad
- In a wrap with hummus
Pulled pork hot item in the UK:
Year before, few people in the UK had heard of the pulled pork from its American counterpart North Carolina barbecue parties. Now, pulled pork is being served in all supermarkets, it was even featured in the BBC’s Bake Off as a pie filling, and making the new British Airways first-class menu.
A 35% increase in sales in the UK of the US barbecue dish since 2010, according to The Guardian (2014). Turner recommends using free-range Tamworth shoulder to make pulled pork at home. It should be smoked over hickory to reach 110C/230F for six hours long or until it reaches internal temperature of 90C/194F.
According to Chef Brad McDonald of The Lockhart in London, a huge fan of the pork “butt” and Mississippi native, “Eating it between a soft potato bun with slaw and creole mustard is my first memory of a great barbecue”. Their tradition is slow and low over the open fire, and served with lots of sweet tea.
Another version of the best pulled pork in a bun is served in a bun with pickles and vinegar slaw.
Conclusion:
Barbecue pulled pork meat is not just for sandwiches but can be the highlight to any barbecue party there is under the sun or stars. It arrived in the UK and became popular after the 2010’s. People went wild for barbecued pulled pork, and supermarkets and restaurant chains jumped the bandwagon.
Many versions of the pulled pork recipe and its side dishes have been created and evolved.
Most of it mouth-watering, so we’re not complaining here. Any question or additional recipe, do let me know. And we can sure find another way of cooking the famous pulled pork and add more to its sides.
FAQ’s on “13 Best Sides of Pulled Pork”:
What goes well with pulled pork?
As mentioned, we have 13 best sides that goes well with pulled pork; namely, sweet jalapeno cornbread, sweet corn fritters, adrienne’s cucumber salad, honey butter biscuits, spicy collard greens, classic rice pilaf, mexican corn on the cob, best baked french fries, coleslaw, macaroni salad, macaroni and cheese, rainbow fruit salad, and baked beans.
How do you serve pulled pork other than sandwiches?
Examples are: pulled pork mexican pizza, pulled pork stuffed avocados, pulled pork bratwurst, pulled pork shepherd’s pie, pulled pork lettuce wrap to name a few.
How can I eat pulled pork without bread?
Here are 10 ideas for serving pulled pork, Taco filling, with mashed potatoes, Polenta, tortillas wrap, with chili con carne, added to poached eggs, kimchi or potato cakes, with sweet potato fritters, as lasagna meat, add to a simple salad, in a wrap with hummus.
How long does pulled pork last in the fridge?
Pulled pork will last in the fridge around 4 days. Or two to four months in the freezer. Watch out for freezer burn as it might already be in that condition if it stays in the freezer for too long.
Is pulled pork healthy?
Pulled pork is a healthy source of protein, even though chicken is lower in fat and calories. A 3 ounce portion of chicken is equivalent to 5 grams of protein and 15 grams carbohydrates compared to pulled pork which has 11 grams of protein and 15 grams carbohydrates.
References:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/14364/side-dish/rice/pilaf/
