Pulled pork is a popular barbecue dish that is made by slowly cooking pork shoulder or other pork roast until the meat easily pulls apart into shreds. The tender and juicy pulled pork is then typically served on some type of bread, along with various barbecue sauces, condiments, and sides like coleslaw or beans. But when it comes to the best bread to use for pulled pork sandwiches, there are a variety of good options depending on your preferences.
Hamburger Buns
One of the most classic and traditional bread choices for pulled pork sandwiches is simple hamburger buns. The soft, pillowy, slightly sweet yeast rolls are sturdy enough to hold up when stacked with tender pulled pork, but don’t overpower the flavor of the meat. Hamburger buns are readily available in grocery stores and easy to toast or lightly grill before use to add a touch of crunch and char. Mini hamburger buns can also make for cute individual pulled pork sliders.
Brioche Buns
For a more upscale sandwich bread, brioche buns are a fantastic choice for pulled pork. Brioche is an egg and butter enriched bread that is light, fluffy, and faintly sweet. The richness pairs beautifully with savory barbecue flavors. Brioche buns lend a softness that practically melts into shredded pork. They also lightly crisp on the outside when toasted while remaining pillowy within. Brioche buns are easy to find in most grocery bakery sections these days.
Kaiser Rolls
With their signature compact shape, crusty tops, and tender interiors, kaiser rolls are ideal for holding hefty pulled pork sandwiches. Kaiser rolls offer a heartiness that complements barbecue seasonings well. Their small size and sturdiness makes them perfect for individual pulled pork slider sandwiches. Look for them in the bakery aisle of many supermarkets.
Potato Rolls
Known for their moist, close-crumbed texture, potato rolls are another excellent choice for pulled pork sandwiches. The addition of cooked mashed potatoes gives these rolls a softness that absorbs barbecue sauce beautifully. Yet they still have enough structure not to fall apart under moist pulled pork. Potato rolls have a subtle sweetness that works well with smoky, savory pork. Purchase them fresh at many grocery stores.
Sweet Hawaiian Rolls
For a sweet touch, Hawaiian rolls can be a fun and portable bread for pulled pork. Their light fluffiness and touch of honey or pineapple juice meshes deliciously with the savory pork and barbecue sauce. Due to their small, soft nature, Hawaiian rolls are best for sliders. Their sweetness also pairs well with some slaw for a luau-style pulled pork sandwich.
Telera Rolls
In Mexican cuisine, telera rolls are round sandwich breads that work great for hefty pulled pork. With a thin, crispy crust and fluffy center, telera rolls hold up well to wet ingredients while still being soft enough to bite through easily. Their mild flavor takes on the seasonings of the pork well. Find telera rolls at Latin markets or bake your own.
Cuban Bread
For a sandwich bread with more structure and density, consider Cuban bread, which has a distinctive crisp crust and airy crumb. Cuban bread has a salty-sweet flavor that meshes nicely with pulled pork. Because it’s heartier than a soft white roll, it holds up well to juicy barbecue meat and won’t get soggy. Find Cuban bread in Florida, Latin bakeries, or make your own.
French Bread Baguettes
For a fun, handheld take on pulled pork sandwiches, French baguette bread can’t be beat. Slice a crusty baguette log down the middle and fill it will tender pulled pork and toppings. The chewy, sturdy nature of a baguette makes it the perfect vehicle for messy pulled pork. Pick up a fresh baked baguette from your local bakery.
Ciabatta Rolls
Ciabatta is an Italian white bread made with wheat flour that has a chewy crust and airy, open crumb. Ciabatta rolls put a sophisticated spin on pulled pork sandwiches while still absorbing sauce and meat juices well. The bread’s rustic texture contrasts nicely with succulent shredded pork. Ciabatta also toasts up well if you want a bit of crunch. Find ciabatta rolls at specialty grocers.
Pretzel Buns
For pulled pork with a bit of salty crunch, try serving the meat piled high on top of pretzel buns. Soft and chewy with a dark, glossy crust, pretzel buns have that distinctive malty, faintly sweet flavor that makes a delicious base for rich barbecue pork. The touch of salt balances the spice and sweetness. Find pretzel buns near specialty breads at the grocery store.
Biscuits
Tender, fluffy biscuits are a popular alternative to buns for serving pulled pork, especially in southern barbecue joints. Buttermilk biscuits can sop up meat juices and barbecue sauce while still having enough structure not to disintegrate. Their mild flavor absorbs other seasonings well. For an extra decadent pulled pork sandwich, try splitting and filling a piece of cornbread with the meat.
Texas Toast
For a hearty slab of bread to stack pulled pork on, Texas toast is a wonderful option. Thick-sliced white bread is buttered, grill toasted, and able to stand up to overflowing mounds of juicy, saucy pulled pork. The contrast of the crisp toast with the tender meat makes every bite so satisfying. Make Texas toast yourself or buy ready-made frozen options.
Rye Bread
To complement the deep, rich flavors of smoked pulled pork, use rye bread for a sandwich base. The unique flavor of rye brings out savory notes. The dense crumb soaks up meat juices and sauce beautifully. Toasted rye bread makes an excellent taste and textural contrast to succulent pork. Try light or dark rye, or marble rye with swirls for visual interest too.
Sourdough Bread
Tangy sourdough is another excellent match for seriously savory pulled pork. With its crispy crust and chewy interior, it can stand up to any barbecue sauce or piles of meat. Sourdough adds a sophisticated, gourmet touch to a casual pulled pork sandwich. Use sliced loaf bread or smaller sourdough rolls to serve the meat.
Pita Bread
For a fun presentation, pull open a pita pocket and stuff it with saucy pulled pork and your favorite toppings. Pita holds the contents securely with minimal mess, making it perfect for eating by hand. The bread’s softness and slight chew contrasts nicely with tender meat. Lightly toast pitas before filling to enhance the experience.
Naan
Fluffy, gently charred naan is wonderful for wrapping up pulled pork and barbecue sauce. This Indian flatbread tears easily to reveal the contents within. Its slight char flavor pairs perfectly with smoky pork. Naan also helps sop up meat juices and sauce. Find naan bread in well-stocked grocery stores or Indian markets.
Wheat Bread
For sandwiches with a bit more nutrition, try using whole wheat bread as your base. Whole wheat bread has a hearty texture and nutty, earthy flavor. Its fiber also helps soak up moisture and fat from juicy pulled pork. Lightly toast or grill the bread to prevent sogginess. Use wheat bread sliced from a loaf or smaller wheat rolls.
Multigrain Bread
Similarly, multigrain breads make fantastically healthy vessels for pulled pork sandwiches. Look for varieties with seeds for a tasty crunch and visual appeal. Dense grains like oats will soak up barbecue sauce well. The mix of grains also provides balanced nutrition to complement the protein from the pork. Lightly toast or grill multigrain bread for stability.
Cornbread
For a fun southern touch, pull pork is fantastic served between slices of cornbread or even cornbread muffins. The sweet and crumbly texture of cornbread is able to absorb lots of meat juices without getting soggy. Cornbread also offers the bonus of corn kernels, which provide little bursts of flavor and texture amidst the pork. Bake up a batch of cornbread just for your sandwiches.
Focaccia
As a final idea, try using fluffy focaccia bread as the base for pulled pork sandwiches. Toppings like olive oil, rosemary, or sea salt on focaccia complement pork well. The bread’s sturdy yet airy interior stands up to meat and sauce while offering just the right amount of chew. Focaccia also toasts up nicely. Make your own or buy fresh at a bakery.
Conclusion
When it comes to the best bread for pulled pork sandwiches, the options are nearly endless! Choose a bread that matches the style of barbecue pork you’re serving, whether it’s soft white buns for classic southern-style, crusty ciabatta for a gourmet take, or corn muffins for maximum rustic flair. The key is finding a bread substantial enough to stand up to messy pork but not overpower the meat’s smoky flavor. With the right bread base, your pulled pork sandwich will be an amazing hands-on meal.