Pulled Pork Bap with Slaw
Why this recipe works
- Rich and crisp together: Tender shredded pork and creamy slaw give the bap the right balance of softness, crunch and freshness.
- Balanced barbecue-style sauce: Ketchup, cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic and smoked paprika create a glossy sauce with sweetness, acidity and gentle smoke.
- Easy to prepare ahead: The pulled pork reheats well with its sauce, while the slaw can be kept separate and added just before serving.
Get the most out of this recipe
Ingredient notes
- Choose pork shoulder: Pork shoulder is well suited to slow roasting because its fat and connective tissue help the meat become tender enough to shred.
- Use smoked paprika for depth: Smoked paprika gives the sauce and pork a barbecue-style character without needing a smoker.
- Balance the slaw: If the slaw tastes too rich after standing, loosen it with a little more cider vinegar and season again to taste.
Timing notes
- Rest before shredding: Let the pork rest briefly after roasting so the juices settle and the meat is easier to pull apart cleanly.
- Assemble just before serving: Fill the baps at the last moment so the bread stays soft rather than becoming soggy from the sauce and slaw.
Make-ahead tips
- Keep pork and slaw separate: Store the pulled pork, sauce and slaw in separate airtight containers to preserve the texture of the vegetables.
- Reheat gently: Warm the pork with its sauce over a low heat, adding a splash of water if needed, until piping hot.
- Freeze the pork only: The cooked pulled pork freezes well, but the slaw is best made fresh because mayonnaise-based dressings can separate after freezing.
Common mistakes
- Stopping before the pork is tender: The pork is ready when a fork twists easily in the meat; if it resists, give it more time in the oven.
- Letting reheated pork dry out: Pulled pork should be reheated gently with enough sauce or a little added liquid to keep it moist.
- Building the baps too early: Sauce and slaw will soften the bread if left to sit, so warm the buns and assemble close to serving.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Pat the pork dry, then rub all over with the sunflower oil, fine sea salt, black pepper and smoked paprika.
- Put the pork in a roasting pan and cover tightly with foil. Roast for 3 hours, or until very tender and a fork twists easily in the meat.
- Meanwhile, make the slaw: finely shred the white cabbage and grate the carrot into a mixing bowl. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise with the Dijon mustard and 15 ml of the apple cider vinegar, then toss through the vegetables and season with a pinch of fine sea salt and black pepper.
- Make the sauce: finely grate the garlic, then put it in a saucepan with the ketchup, light brown sugar and the remaining apple cider vinegar. Simmer over a low heat for 5 minutes, stirring, until glossy and slightly thickened.
- Lift the pork onto a board and rest for 10 minutes. Shred the meat with two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat, then stir through most of the sauce, adding more to taste.
- Split the burger buns and warm them in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes. Pile in the pulled pork, top with the slaw, and serve straight away with any extra sauce on the side.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For neater shredding, let the pork rest until it is warm rather than piping hot, then pull it apart with two forks.
- If the slaw looks a little dry after standing, loosen it with a splash of apple cider vinegar and toss again before serving.
Substitutions
- Replace Dijon mustard with whole-grain mustard for a coarser, more textured slaw dressing.
- Replace sunflower oil with olive oil for rubbing the pork.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Keep the pulled pork and slaw separate in airtight containers. Reheat the pork with its sauce in a saucepan over a low heat, adding a splash of water if needed, until piping hot; assemble baps just before serving. Freeze pulled pork only (not the slaw) for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 4h (35min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: British
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Allergens:
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