22+ Best Pulled Pork Side Dishes & Food Pairings
Pulled pork is an amazing meal that takes time and patience to perfect, but when it’s ready, the meat is tender, juicy, and delicious, swimming in your favorite marinade or rub or liquid and topped with your favorite finishing sauce and toppings (or bun).
However, every star needs a supporting cast, which is where your pulled pork side dishes come in.
There are many amazing BBQ side dishes to choose from, and we found some of the best pulled pork side dishes that perfectly complement pulled pork’s unique flavors and texture.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Quick Sidenote – check out our shop for a curated selection of the best meats, cuts, sausages, and more. Open our shop in a new tab and explore!
What are the best pulled pork side dishes to choose from?
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.
Below is a list of 22 pulled pork side dishes you can make to complete your pulled pork meal.
#1. Pasta Salad
There’s nothing like a good hearty bowl of pasta to compliment your pulled pork. And this classic Italian-style recipe has everything you could want: juicy tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, and a delicious sauce.
For this recipe, you need red wine vinegar, olive oil, dijon mustard, sugar, red onion, rotini pasta, orange bell pepper, grape tomatoes, marinated artichokes, pitted kalamata olives, cured salami, and fresh flat-leaf parsley.
#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.
#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!
Ingredients for this recipe are as follows: all-purpose flour, garlic powder, seasoned salt, black pepper, paprika, red onion, beer, and vegetable oil.
#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.
The ingredient list includes a head of fresh broccoli, bacon, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, shredded cheddar cheese, red onion, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, and white sugar.
#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!
To create this dish, you’ll need corn, milk, butter, and sugar (optional).
#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
Black bean and corn salad mixed with creamy avocado and fluffy rice tossed in deliciously tangy lime vinaigrette dressing is an excellent side dish for your pulled pork.
Here are the ingredients white rice, avocado, black beans, canned corn (or fresh), red onion, fresh cilantro, salt, pepper, olive oil, lime juice, zest of lime, honey, chili powder, and garlic powder.
#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!
This recipe uses the following ingredients: salt, apple, lemon, kale, carrots, parsley, red cabbage, red onion, green onions, toasted pepitas, dried cranberries, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and honey.
#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.
You’ll need the following ingredients: broccoli (crowns), cheddar cheese, garlic cloves, salt, and pepper.
#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.
Here are the ingredients zucchini, whole wheat bread crumbs, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and avocado oil.
#12. Fennel & Apple Salad
Fennel and apple salad has 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.
You’ll need a few ingredients: whole carrots, honey, brown sugar, extra virgin olive oil, rosemary, feta cheese crumbles, pepper, and salt.
#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.
This recipe calls for the following ingredients: red cabbage, napa cabbage, kale, carrot, fresh cilantro, green onions, dry quinoa, water, black sesame seeds, whole cashews, garlic cloves, fresh ginger, soy sauce, honey seasoned rice vinegar, and olive oil.
#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 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.
The ingredient list includes baby spinach, ghee, diced onion, garlic cloves, unsweetened nut milk, arrowroot flour, salt, pepper, and avocado oil.
#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.
This recipe calls for watermelon, feta cheese, fresh mint, agave nectar, and lime.
#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.
For this recipe, you need coleslaw mix, sunflower seeds, green onions, mayo, keto sweetener, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, apple cider vinegar, and poppyseed.
#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.
You’ll need these ingredients: green beans (frozen or fresh), salt, butter, garlic, red onion, and thick-cut bacon.
#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.
Here is a list of the ingredients: zucchini, sea salt, eggs, parmesan cheese, coconut flour, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder.
#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!
You’ll need the following ingredients: elbow macaroni pasta, all-purpose flour, butter, whole milk, grated Monterey jack cheese, Asiago cheese, Grana Padano cheese, ranch salad dressing, salt, black pepper, buttery crackers.
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!
