Simple and Delicious Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe!

Hi Everyone!  I don’t know about you, but I am BBQ’d out.  We have had so many hamburgers and hot dogs lately and I am ready to change it up.  We are hosting the 4th of July at our home with our family, I know big shocker there!  We live right on the intracoastal and get the best view of the Fort Lauderdale fireworks. Matt and Katie come over with the kids on their boat we have a blast. I am not a fan of the summertime, but I do look forward to this holiday.

Instead of making the traditional summer BBQ, I am going to make these amazing and simple pulled pork sandwiches.  My mom gave me this pulled pork sandwich recipe a few years ago, and I have been making it ever since.

Here’s how it goes:

6 to 7 pounds of Pork shoulder or Boston Butt

Sonny BBQ sauce (there are many flavors- so choose your favorite.  I always use the original.)

Water

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Place parchment paper down in a shallow pan with 1 cup of water and add the pork fat side down. Cook for 1 hour.

Turn down the oven to 300 degrees, flip the pork and bake low and slow for 5 to 6 hours.

After cooking and shred the pork with 2 forks (the meat should fall apart).

Add the sonny BBQ Sauce flavor of your choice to the pulled pork, mix well, and serve!

That’s it!  So simple and so delicious.  You just cannot go wrong. I love to serve all the pulled pork in a slow cooker on warm and place the buns and side salads next to it. Don’t forget the coleslaw! What’s a pulled pork sandwich without coleslaw?

Some other ideas from the rest of my 4th of July menu:

Appetizers

Cheese Platter. I have a cheese platter at every party I host.  Here are a few great tips on creating the perfect cheese platter:

• Variety– try include a few different cheeses like a cheddar with a blue cheese, and a soft cheese like a brie.  Always pick at least one that everyone is familiar with. 
• Greens– I like to add a pop of color to my cheese platters that give the platter depth and appeal.  My favorites are fig leaves, grapes, and strawberries.
• Meats- add a salami or a procuitto to the platter.  You can even do a sliced turkey.  People like to combine the meats with the cheese.
• Labels- if you are choosing unique cheeses, label them. I love the chalkboard cheese platters that you can write the name right on the platter.
• Crackers– include sliced baguettes, bread sticks, and crackers in all different shapes and size.

Mini Macaroni and Cheese Bites– all I have to say is yum! yum! yum!

The Streit’s famous Queso Dip– A must!  This is such an easy go to for all parties, although my husband will be upset that I am revealing his simple queso dip recipe to the world!

Main Course

Pulled Pork Sandwiches (see recipe above).

Grilled Chicken Sandwiches– a great alternative to hamburgers and hot dogs.

Sides

Asian Bow Tie Pasta with Shrimp and Vegetables – Carrie and my dad will not eat any kind of seafood, so I like to make a side without the shrimp for them! This is a good tip for any party- pick a recipe with meat that can easily be removed or placed on the side.  It’s great for vegetarians and picky guests like Carrie.

Potato Salad – if you missed this on my blog a few months back, you must try this one out!

Coleslaw/Pickles/Chips- I am a store bought kind of gal for all these items.

Desserts

Ice Cream Sundae Bar- I love doing this!  It is so easy, there is no baking involved, and the kids love it!  Be creative at the grocery store and think of all the fun toppings that ice cream parlors use (some of my favorites are crushed up heath bar, caramel, different fruits, and party themed sprinkles). I always get 2 to 3 flavors of ice cream at minimum for sundae bars!

I am not a big dessert person. I do not bake much and I love savory food.  Dessert is a great item to ask guests to bring.

And a few other great hosting tips

• Greet your guests with something cute to take home- I love doing this.  I place a basket at the entryway with a sign that says “Take One”.  For Saturday I am going to have a basket of sparklers for everyone to light.
• Presentation is everything- simple easy dishes will look so much more impressive if you take the extra time to add detail.  Place the food on a nice dish, add the dash of color, or sprinkle on the parsley.  Your guests will be wowed.
• Go with what you know- I have definitely made this mistake a few times.  Do not pick a meal you have never made, even if it looks fail proof and delicious.  Just go with something you know is awesome and everyone will enjoy!  Save the new experimental dishes for your significant other!

For me, the holidays are about great food, a great get together, but most importantly being with family and friends. For this holiday, I hope everyone takes a moment to celebrate our freedom and everything it provides us-  the right to act, think and speak independently, the ability to pursue our dreams and to make a living from our passions, and the freedom to choose.  I hope everyone has a great 4th of July!