22 Sides for Pulled Pork to Make Your Meal Complete
Pulled pork is a delicious dish that pairs well with various side dishes like pasta salad, potato salad, onion rings, broccoli salad, and more to enhance its flavors.
Pulled pork is a delicious dish that requires time and skill to prepare, resulting in tender, juicy meat infused with marinades and sauces. However, to complete the meal, you need the perfect supporting side dishes. We’ve curated a selection of the best BBQ sides that enhance pulled pork’s flavors and textures.
When it comes to delicious side dishes for pulled pork, there’s no shortage of amazing options that complement the pulled pork’s smoky flavor. If you’re wondering what goes with pulled pork, consider these delicious options to elevate your meal
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1. Pasta Salad
This refreshing side dish provides a delightful contrast to the rich flavors of pulled pork. Opt for a classic Italian-style recipe featuring al dente pasta tossed with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, briny olives, and a tangy vinaigrette or pesto sauce. The combination of flavors and textures in the pasta salad perfectly complements the tender, savory nature of pulled pork, making it a satisfying accompaniment to any barbecue or casual gathering.
2. Potato Salad
Potato salad is a staple BBQ side dish that goes well with everything. But for something a bit different, try this Jersey-style grilled potato salad filled with incredible BBQ flavors. You’ll need yellow potatoes, pork roll, honey, corn, zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, lemons, olive oil, Kosher salt, pepper, lemons, apple cider vinegar, honey or deli mustard, fresh parsley, fresh thyme, garlic clove, smoked paprika, and extra-virgin olive oil. Grill to perfection for a flavorful side that perfectly complements pulled pork.
3. Homemade Beer-Battered Onion Rings
One of our favorite toppings for sandwiches is beer-battered onion rings with pulled pork. And this recipe delivers some of the tastiest onion rings of all time. Try some on your sandwich. You’ll love them!
4. Broccoli Salad
There’s nothing wrong with bringing a few healthy alternatives as side dishes for your pulled pork. And this broccoli salad certainly checks off all the boxes. It’s healthy, delicious, and easy to make.
5. Corn on the Cob in Milk
The sweet taste of corn on the cob mixed with the flavors of pulled pork does something magical to your taste buds. It’s incredible how much milk can enhance corn’s sweetness!
6. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Another incredible dish that pairs perfectly with pulled pork is cheesy scalloped potatoes. Every bite of cheesy potatoes tastes like heaven when combined with sweet, saucy pulled pork. This recipe calls for potatoes, butter, all-purpose flour, half and half, and garlic salt (with parsley).
7. Cheesy Twice Baked Potatoes
Twice-baked potatoes are the perfect platforms for mounds of hot, juicy, saucy pulled pork. You can enjoy them together or separately. The result will always be the same – pure bliss. The ingredients for this recipe are medium russet potatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, nonfat milk, half and half, salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley flakes, shredded cheddar cheese, and bacon bits.
8. Black Bean Corn Avocado Salad with Rice
This vibrant salad is a perfect partner for pulled pork. The combination of black beans, sweet corn, creamy avocado, and fluffy rice creates a satisfying and flavorful side dish that complements the richness of the pork.
9. No-Mayo Kale Apple Slaw
Creamy, tangy Apple Kale Slaw is filled with fresh fruit, and colorful veggies tossed together in a delicious dressing. Plus, this super healthy salad doesn’t have a hint of mayo!
10. Cheesy Garlic Broccoli
Another fantastic veggie side dish for pulled pork is cheesy garlic broccoli, which uses only three simple ingredients and takes a few quick minutes to whip up.
11. Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini
Crispy air fryer zucchini is another deliciously healthy side dish that goes well with pulled pork. Plus, it’s so easy to make you’ll want to serve this dish a few nights a week.
12. Fennel & Apple Salad
Fennel and apple salad have the perfect crunch, and this flavorful salad also offers sweet anise flavors that dance harmoniously with tangy apples and herbs.
Here is a list of the ingredients: a fennel bulb, apples, red onion, fennel leaves, dill, parsley, salt, pepper, white wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, and lemon juice.
13. Easy Roasted Carrots with Honey and Feta
Roasted carrots with feta cheese crumbles is a quick, healthy, and delicious side dish for pulled pork. It’s packed with nutrients, and the seasoning is both sweet and savory.
14. Asian Sesame Ginger Slaw
Asian sesame ginger coleslaw is a fantastic twist on a classic BBQ side dish, bringing together healthy quinoa, kale, and crunchy carrots mixed in a mayo-free sesame ginger dressing.
15. Butternut Squash Fries
If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy alternative to potato fries, check out the recipe for these butternut squash fries. They have a fantastic flavor and pair very well with pulled pork. You’ll need these ingredients: butternut squash, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and fresh parsley.
16. Creamed Spinach
Dairy-free creamed spinach is another fantastic healthy side dish for pulled pork that’s also gluten-free, vegan, and Whole30. It’s a great way to mix in some veggies with your BBQ.
17. Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
This watermelon mint feta salad recipe is an excellent and refreshing side dish for pulled pork. It’s super easy to make and provides a sweet and savory compliment to your pork.
18. Sweet Poppyseed Coleslaw
Another fun and flavorful coleslaw recipe is this poppyseed coleslaw that’s both low-carb and sugar-free. It’s slightly sweet and has a delightful crunch that tastes great with your pulled pork.
19. Smoked Cauliflower
This recipe for smoked cauliflower is another awesome and healthy side dish for your pulled pork that also brings a lot of delicious flavor to the table. You’ll need cauliflower, olive oil, salt, and pepper to create this delicious dish.
20. Green Beans with Garlic and Bacon
Green beans with bacon and garlic are an excellent example of balancing healthy with decadent. Plus, the savory, salty flavor pairs very well with the sweet flavors of pulled pork.
21. Keto Zucchini Fritters
These zucchini fritters are an excellent choice for those who love the crunch of onion rings but want a healthier option. They are super easy to make and taste amazing, topped with pulled pork.
22. Mac N Cheese with Ranch and Cracker Crumbles
Mac and cheese is a fantastic side dish for pulled pork or any BBQ, but this recipe takes things to a whole different level. You’ve got three different kinds of cheese, ranch dressing, and buttery crackers that are guaranteed homerun when mixed with pulled pork!
What veggies are good with pulled pork?
When it comes to veggie pulled pork sides, such as grilled asparagus, corn on the cob, creamed corn, peppers, potatoes, and a lot more. Grilled veggies pair especially well with pulled pork as they incorporate a lot of that smoky BBQ flavor that perfectly compliments pulled pork. Look for options like grilled corn, grilled asparagus, and grilled onions. And if you are serving your pulled pork on a sandwich, check out more ideas that pair with pulled pork sandwiches on a bun!
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Serve with Pulled Pork?
When serving pulled pork, consider classic side dishes like coleslaw, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, and cornbread. These options complement the richness of the pork with a variety of textures and flavors. For lighter alternatives, opt for a crisp green salad, grilled vegetables, or a refreshing fruit salad. Vegetarian and vegan options include dishes like grilled vegetable skewers, quinoa salad, black bean and corn salsa, roasted sweet potatoes, or avocado salad, offering protein and flavor without meat or dairy.
What are the healthy sides for pulled pork?
Some healthy sides for pulled pork include grilled vegetables, quinoa salad, mixed green salad, fruit salsa, cucumber salad, roasted sweet potatoes, Greek yogurt coleslaw, steamed broccoli, whole grain bread or wraps, and fruit salad.
