This article was updated on 3/8/2023 for clarity and freshness.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your pulled pork, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 63 of the most popular side dishes for pulled pork.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best dishes to serve with pulled pork are potato salad, grilled corn on the cob, roasted sweet potatoes, and smoked mac and cheese. You can also serve pulled pork with Alabama white sauce. Try rice and beans, kale apple salad, homemade biscuits, kimchi, or grits for more options.
Great flavor pairings for pulled pork
Pulled pork is typically made with pork shoulder that’s been slow-cooked in a braising liquid until fork-tender. It’s smoky, savory, sweet, and rich.
- Creamy, cooling flavors: Luscious mayo or yogurt-based dressings help provide a cooling contrast to the rich pulled pork. Avocado is another option.
- Tangy, acidic flavors: Citrus fruits and condiments like vinegar and mustard help cut through your pulled pork’s richness. Pickled vegetables are also great for cleansing the palate.
- Sweet flavors – brown sugar and warming spices like clove and cinnamon will complement your pulled pork’s natural but subtle sweetness (or not so subtle if it’s covered in barbecue sauce).
- Bold, smoky flavors – strong flavors like smoked paprika or chipotle can add depth and complexity to the pork’s smoky flavor.
Starches
Starchy sides and pulled pork are a match made in heaven. Not only will they bulk up your meal and fill you up, but they’re also excellent for soaking up all the goodness from your saucy pulled pork.
Dill potato salad
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill potato salad. It’s extra creamy and tangy, thanks to the apple vinegar-seasoned red potatoes and mayo-sour cream and dill dressing.
This version is just what you need to cut through the richness of your pulled pork.
Why we love this recipe: it’s simple but loaded with delicious creamy and fresh flavors.
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Dill potato salad
Make it Japanese-style
Japanese potato salad
Make it easy
Sour cream twice-baked potatoes
Smoked mac and cheese
Skip the stove and use your grill to smoke this classic pasta dish.
You’ll get the same creamy, cheesy pasta you love, with an added crunchy BBQ crust and an irresistible smoky flavor.
Pro-tip: remember to undercook your pasta slightly to avoid ending up with a soggy mess.
Why we love this recipe: it perfectly details how to achieve the ultimate smoked mac and cheese.
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Smoked mac and cheese
Make it dairy-free
Vegan mac and cheese
Make it low-carb
Cauliflower mac and cheese
Spanish rice and beans
Need something hearty with your pulled pork? You can’t go wrong with a helping of this fiery Spanish rice and beans.
It’s chock-full of delicious flavors, with the beans making this healthier and adding a tender bite to contrast all the soft textures.
Psst… I love using the leftovers to make an egg frittata in the morning.
Why we love this recipe: it’s an easy and quick dish that makes your meals more wholesome.
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Spanish rice and beans
Skip the beans
Cilantro lime rice
Make it simple
Mexican cauliflower rice
Garlic parmesan roasted sweet potatoes
These roasted sweet potatoes are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for your next barbecue.
They’re flavored with classic Italian seasoning, garlic, thyme, and a topping of parmesan cheese for the ultimate sweet-savory flavor combo. Take things up a notch by serving these with a generous helping of saucy pulled pork.
Why we love this recipe: it calls for minimal work, plus everything cooks in one baking dish.
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Garlic parmesan roasted sweet potatoes
Make it crispy
Sweet potato wedges
Go all fancy
Fondant sweet potatoes
Homemade biscuits
These homemade biscuits are a great accompaniment to pulled pork. They’re delightfully fluffy and flaky, with perfectly golden crusts.
Tear one open, load it with your pulled pork, and smother it with your favorite barbecue sauce (or a barbecue sauce substitute).
Psst… got leftovers? Enjoy them with a side of sausage gravy for the next day’s breakfast.
Why we love this recipe: it calls for equal portions of buttermilk and milk for a tender texture and a subtle, tangy flavor that won’t overpower your pork.
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Homemade biscuits
Make it easy
15-minute drop biscuits
Another Southern classic
Fluffy and moist cornbread
Cheesy grits
Serve your leftover pulled pork over a plate of grits for the perfect meal to start your day.
They’re thick and creamy, with a salty, mildly spicy kick thanks to the cheddar and pepper jack cheese. Not a fan of this combo? Don’t stress, you can swap it for any other good melting cheese. Another combination I like is gouda and mozzarella.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a great dish for meal prep – you can store it in your fridge for up to five days.
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Creamiest cheese grits
Make it crispy
Crispy grit cakes
Transform it
Cheesy grits souffle bake
Homemade flour tortillas
You can buy flour tortillas in your local grocery store, but making them from scratch is the way to go.
The homemade version is softer, chewier, and couldn’t be easier to make. Half-Baked Harvest’s recipe only calls for five pantry staples (including water) and 30 minutes to whip up a dozen tortillas.
Load them up with your pulled pork to make delicious tacos or quesadillas.
Why we love this recipe: you can make a big batch and freeze the extra so you’ll always have them on hand when the cravings hit.
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Homemade flour tortillas
Make it low-carb
Coconut flour tortillas
Go Greek
Pita bread
Vegetables
Brighten up your plate of saucy pulled pork with these veggie sides. And no worries, these are much more exciting than regular steamed vegetables.
Grilled corn on the cob
Who doesn’t love grilled corn on the cob?
I prefer grilling corn without the husk to maximize the smoky charred notes. And these smoky flavors go superbly with savory pulled pork. But if you prefer grilling with the husks, soak the corn in water for at least 15 minutes to prevent them from burning.
Psst…and don’t forget the garlic butter to smother the corn with after.
Why we love this recipe: it shares three ways you can grill your corn: with/without the husk and wrapped in foil.
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Grilled corn on the cob
Make it different
Air fryer corn riblets
Make a salad
Fresh corn salad
Quick kimchi
Quick kimchi may not be a traditional side for pulled pork, but its refreshingly spicy and bright flavors will balance out your pork’s smokiness. Plus, it doesn’t have any of the funky fermented notes, making it great for kimchi beginners.
And the best part? This quick kimchi lasts up to seven days in the fridge, so it’s great for meal preps too.
Why we love this recipe: it doesn’t involve fermentation, so you can serve it immediately.
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Quick kimchi
Make it hearty
Kimchi fried rice
Make it fusion
Kimchi mac and cheese
Harvest succotash
Succotash is one of my favorite veggie sides because you don’t need to fire up the oven to make it. Plus, you can use any veg you want as long as you keep the traditional base of corn and butter beans.
Some of the other veggies I usually incorporate when I make this are zucchini, okra, and green beans. You can even add bacon if you prefer.
Serve this colorful side dish with your pulled pork for a well-balanced meal.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a feast for your eyes and taste buds.
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Harvest succotash
Make it simpler
Herb-buttered corn and green beans
A Cajun favorite
Corn maque choux
Creamed collard greens
You’ve heard about creamed spinach, so why not give another leafy green a similar creamy treatment?
The combination of heavy cream, nutmeg, and broth tempers the collard greens’ prominent bitterness and adds a hint of sweetness that complements your savory pulled pork.
Pro-tip: Remember to blanch the greens before tossing them in your cream sauce so they’re perfectly tender.
Why we love this recipe: it’s decadent but nourishing.
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Creamed collard greens
Make a favorite
Southern-style collard greens
Make it no-frills
Garlic-sauteed collard greens
Lemon pesto vegetable skewers
These vegetable skewers are a nice change of pace from the usual carb-loaded cookout sides you see paired with pulled pork.
They’re marinated in a mixture of pesto and lemon juice, which infuses the veg with a bright, herby flavor on top of the smoky twist they get on the grill. I used my favorite jarred pesto, but you can also make it from scratch if you want to go all out.
Pro-tip: if you want more of the pesto flavor to come through, try reducing the amount of lemon juice you use or skip it.
Why we love this recipe: it can easily feed a crowd.
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Lemon pesto vegetable skewers
Skip the skewers
Grilled vegetable platter with chimichurri
Keep it simple
Garlic and herb grilled eggplant
Salads
With a dish as savory and flavorful as pulled pork, a fresh, crisp side salad makes perfect sense. A simple bed of greens with your favorite vinaigrette works well, but I found plenty more options if you want to switch things up.
Kale apple and quinoa salad
This salad is an excellent fresh side for your pulled pork. It features sweet, salty, and bitter elements, all balanced by a simple and tangy lemon dressing.
With all the complementing textures and flavors, it’s a party for your tastebuds.
Why we love this recipe: this salad holds up well in the fridge for up to four hours, so you can make it in advance.
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Kale apple and quinoa salad
Skip the apples
Pear salad with honey balsamic dressing
Ditch the leafy greens
Waldorf salad
Asian sesame ginger slaw
Switch things up and try this Asian slaw.
It’s made with crisp veggies tossed in bright, umami-loaded Asian dressing (soy sauce, vinegar, and fish sauce).
I prefer enjoying this slaw alongside my pulled pork, but you can also stuff both in a warm brioche bun or mix the pulled pork in the slaw for a complete and nourishing one-bowl meal.
Why we love this recipe: it’s a lighter version of your typical coleslaw but more complex and flavorful.
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Asian slaw
Go back to the classics
Coleslaw
Add a fruity note
Mango cucumber summer slaw
Southwestern salad
This colorful salad brings a delicious Tex-Mex flair to your pulled pork meal.
It’s packed with crisp lettuce leaves, sweet potatoes, corn, black beans, and tortilla chips all covered in a finger-licking good cilantro dressing. Is your mouth watering yet?
Pinch of Yum uses Greek yogurt for the creamy dressing, but I’ve had success with using a whole avocado to make this dairy-free.
Why we love this recipe: it’s Insta-worthy.
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Southwestern salad
Add a fruity kick
Mango kale salad with cilantro lime dressing
Skip the leafy greens
Tex Mex three-bean potato salad
Cucumber tomato salad
This cucumber tomato salad is my go-to when I need something quick and fresh.
The herb vinaigrette and the cherry tomatoes bring an acidic flavor that helps cut through the richness of pulled pork.
You can use any variety of cucumbers as long as you get the seeds out, but I prefer English cucumbers for their extra crunchy bite.
Why we love this recipe: a serving only has 107 calories.
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Cucumber tomato salad
Make it spicy
Chinese smashed cucumber salad
Make a condiment
Homemade dill and seed pickles
Appetizers/snacks
These appetizers/snacks are often eaten on their own, but trust me — they’re even better with a side of pulled pork. Imagine soaking up all that savory sauce with crispy golden French fries. Heaven in a bite.
Fried okra
Add a crunchy contrasting bite to your pulled pork with a serving of fried okra.
The combination of cornmeal and flour ensures each okra slice is coated with a satisfyingly crunchy crust. Rasa Malaysia keeps it traditional and deep-fries these, but you can also use the air-fryer if you want to make them healthier.
Try dipping these treats in your pulled pork sauce – yum!
Why we love this recipe: frying the okra removes their ‘slimy’ texture, making them way more enjoyable.
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Crispy fried okra
Skip the deep-frying
Oven-fried okra
Make it tangy
Fried pickles
Homemade French fries
I love the ease and convenience of baking fries, but double-frying them is the way to go.
It’s extra work, but this technique ensures your fries develop that crunchy crust and soft, fluffy interior. Plus, it’s the secret to making homemade fries taste exactly like what you’d get from restaurants.
Pile your golden fries on a plate and smother them with your saucy pulled pork for the ultimate movie night treat.
Why we love this recipe: these are addictive.
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Homemade French fries
Skip the stovetop
Potato wedges
Make it bite-sized
Cheesy homemade tater tots
Onion rings
Most onion ring recipes call for a panko breadcrumb coating to achieve that crunchy bite, but I prefer Just A Taste’s beer batter method.
The fizzy beer ensures a deliciously crisp, airy coating that’ll lure you into coming back for more.
Staying away from alcoholic drinks? Don’t worry, any mildly-flavored carbonated drink will give you a similar effect. I also like using ginger ale or club soda.
Why we love this recipe: it has a 4.87 rating from 144 votes.
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Beer-battered onion rings
Skip the batter
Cajun fried onion strings
Make a copycat
Blooming onion
Sauces
Pulled pork is usually served with a dark, sweet-tangy barbecue sauce, but why not try something new? The world of barbecue sauces has a lot more to offer.
Alabama white sauce
Skip your favorite BBQ sauce and try your pulled pork with this Alabama white sauce.
The biggest difference is this is made with mayonnaise, making it creamy and delightfully sweet-tangy. And if you’re not a fan of mayo, don’t stress. You can use Greek yogurt instead for an extra tang.
Why we love this recipe: this sauce is a breeze to make – toss all your ingredients in a bowl, give it a mix, and you’re done.
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Alabama white sauce
Make it different
Spicy mango jalapeno bbq sauce
Make it Carolina-style
Tangy Carolina barbecue sauce
Carolina gold BBQ sauce
This vibrant yellow BBQ sauce is another condiment you can toss your pulled pork in.
It’s made with a blend of prepared yellow mustard, ketchup, and white vinegar, adding a prominent tangy kick with a subtle sweetness to your pulled pork.
You can use this sauce immediately, but an overnight rest in the fridge allows the flavors to blend and develop better.
Why we love this recipe: it lasts for a week in the fridge.
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Carolina gold BBQ sauce
Back to basics
Homemade BBQ sauce
Go Tex-Mex
Chipotle sauce
What To Serve With Pulled Pork [63 Ideas]
Ingredients
- 1 portion dill potato salad
- 1 portion Southwestern salad
- 1 portion quick kimchi
- 1 portion onion rings
- 1 portion alabama white sauce
- 1 portion cheesy grits
- 1 portion grilled corn on the cob … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your pulled pork according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: dill potato salad, smoked mac and cheese, spanish rice and beans, garlic parmesan roasted sweet potatoes, homemade biscuits, cheesy grits, homemade flour tortillas, grilled corn on the cob, quick kimchi, skillet turnip greens, harvest succotash, creamed collard greens, kale apple and quinoa salad, asian sesame ginger slaw, southwestern salad, cucumber tomato salad, fried okra, homemade french fries, onion rings, alabama white sauce, and carolina gold bbq sauce.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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