What to Serve with Pulled Pork: 15 Best Side Dishes
The best sides for pulled pork sandwiches are coleslaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, cornbread, and potato salad. Those five will never let you down. But if you're looking beyond the basics — or trying to put together a full spread for a cookout — you've got a lot of great options.
I've put together 15 of my favorite pulled pork side dishes below, sorted by category. Some are the classic BBQ staples you'd expect. Others are lighter picks for when you don't want everything on the table to feel heavy. And a few are dead-simple options for weeknight dinners when you don't have time to fuss.
Quick Reference: All 15 Sides
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Southern Baked Beans
- Skillet Cornbread
- Corn on the Cob
- Dill Pickle Spears
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Vinegar-Based Coleslaw
- Grilled Zucchini
- Watermelon Feta Salad
- Mac and Cheese
- Loaded Potato Salad
- Collard Greens
- Jalapeño Cheddar Hush Puppies
- Frozen Coleslaw Mix (bagged)
- Instant Pot Black Beans
Classic BBQ Sides
These are the tried-and-true picks. The sides you'd find at any decent BBQ joint. They work because generations of people have already figured out that they belong next to smoked pork.
1. Creamy Coleslaw
This is my #1 pick because it does something no other side can — the vinegar in the coleslaw cuts through the fatty richness of the pork while adding a crunch that the soft, shredded meat needs. Pile it right on top of the sandwich. That's how it's meant to be eaten. A simple mix of shredded cabbage, carrots, mayo, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of sugar is all you need.
2. Southern Baked Beans
Smoky, sweet, a little sticky. Good baked beans are basically a side dish and a sauce rolled into one. I like mine with a bit of mustard and molasses stirred in, baked low and slow until the top goes dark and caramelized. They reheat beautifully too, so you can make a big batch the day before your cookout.
3. Skillet Cornbread
Warm cornbread with a crust from a hot cast-iron skillet. That's it. That's the pitch. Spread some butter on a wedge and use it to soak up any extra BBQ sauce on your plate. If you've never baked cornbread in a skillet, you're in for a treat — the edges get golden and slightly crisp while the center stays tender.
4. Corn on the Cob
Grilled, boiled, or smoked — corn on the cob just belongs at a BBQ. Something about the sweetness of fresh corn next to salty, smoky pulled pork just clicks. Roll it in butter, hit it with a little chili powder and lime if you're feeling fancy. But honestly, plain butter and salt is perfect.
5. Dill Pickle Spears
People forget about pickles as a "side dish" but they're doing serious work on the plate. That bright, sour crunch is exactly what you want between bites of rich, smoky pork. No cooking required. Just pull them out of the jar, cut them into spears, and set them out. Done.
Light & Fresh Sides
Pulled pork is heavy. That's part of what makes it great, but it also means your sides shouldn't all be heavy too. These lighter options bring some balance to the meal and keep things from feeling like a brick in your stomach.
6. Cucumber Tomato Salad
Dice up some cucumbers and ripe tomatoes, toss them with thinly sliced red onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fresh basil or dill. That's the whole thing. It takes five minutes and tastes like summer. The cool, juicy vegetables are a perfect reset between bites of smoky pork.
7. Vinegar-Based Coleslaw
If you want the coleslaw experience without the heaviness of mayo, go with a vinegar slaw instead. Shredded cabbage and carrots dressed with apple cider vinegar, a little oil, sugar, and celery seed. It's tangier and lighter than creamy slaw, and it actually gets better as it sits — so make it early in the day. Popular all over the Carolinas for a reason.
8. Grilled Zucchini
Slice zucchini lengthwise into thick planks, brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and throw them on the grill. Three minutes per side. You get those beautiful char marks and a slightly smoky flavor that matches the pork without competing with it. A squeeze of lemon at the end makes them pop.
9. Watermelon Feta Salad
This one sounds a little out there for BBQ, but trust me. Cubed watermelon, crumbled feta, fresh mint, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It's sweet, salty, and cold — three things that play really well against hot, smoky pulled pork. Perfect for summer cookouts when you want something that doesn't need the oven.
Comfort Food Sides
Sometimes you're not looking for balance. Sometimes you want the whole table to feel like a hug. These are the sides for those nights — the hearty, indulgent picks that turn a pulled pork dinner into an event.
10. Mac and Cheese
Is there a more beloved combination than pulled pork and mac and cheese? I don't think so. Go for a baked version with a breadcrumb crust for the best texture. Sharp cheddar as the base, with a little smoked gouda mixed in if you want to lean into the BBQ vibe. Yes, it's rich on rich. Nobody has ever complained about that.
11. Loaded Potato Salad
Not the bland, mushy stuff from the deli counter. I'm talking chunky red potatoes, crispy bacon bits, chopped chives, and a dressing that's half mayo, half sour cream with a good hit of whole-grain mustard. Keep the potato pieces big so they've got some bite to them. It's more of a warm-weather thing, but honestly I'll eat potato salad any time of year. You can freeze leftover starches if you make too much.
12. Collard Greens
Slow-cooked collards with a ham hock or smoked turkey neck, simmered until they're silky and tender. The pot liquor at the bottom is liquid gold — soak it up with cornbread. Collards take time (about 90 minutes of low simmering), but the hands-on work is minimal. And they're one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day.
13. Jalapeño Cheddar Hush Puppies
Little fried balls of cornmeal batter with diced jalapeño and sharp cheddar folded in. They're crispy on the outside, soft and slightly spicy inside. Not something you'd make on a Tuesday night, but for a weekend cookout or a BBQ party? They disappear fast. Serve them with a honey-butter dipping sauce and watch people lose their minds.
Quick & Easy Sides
Look, not every pulled pork dinner is a big production. Sometimes it's a weeknight and you slow-cooked the pork all day but now you've got 20 minutes to get the rest of the meal together. These are for those nights.
14. Bagged Coleslaw Mix with Quick Dressing
Grab a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix from the store. Mix together mayo, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Toss it together. Total time: about three minutes. Is it as good as making slaw from scratch? No. Is it 90% as good with 10% of the effort? Absolutely. No shame in this game.
15. Instant Pot Black Beans
Canned black beans warmed up with cumin, garlic, and a squeeze of lime. Or if you've got an Instant Pot, dried beans take about 25 minutes with no soaking. Season them well and they're a surprisingly great pulled pork side — especially if you're going with a vinegar-based or mustard BBQ sauce. The earthy beans round out the smokiness of the pork.
How to Plan Your Pulled Pork Menu
Here's my simple rule: pick one from each category. One classic BBQ side, one fresh option, one comfort dish, and one easy backup. That gives you four sides, which is the sweet spot for feeding a group without spending the whole day cooking.
For a weeknight dinner, two sides is plenty. Coleslaw and cornbread. Or mac and cheese and pickles. Keep it simple.
For a big cookout? Go with five or six sides and let people mix and match. Set everything out buffet-style and let your guests build their own plates. If you need help organizing the full meal, our meal planner can help you map out quantities and timing.
And one more tip: most of these sides can be made ahead. Baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, and collard greens all taste great the next day. Prep what you can the night before so day-of you can focus on the pork itself. Check out our full recipe index for more ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular side dish for pulled pork?
Coleslaw is the most popular side for pulled pork sandwiches. The creamy, tangy crunch balances the rich, smoky meat perfectly. Many people pile the coleslaw right on top of the sandwich — it acts as both a side and a condiment at the same time.
How many side dishes should I make for a pulled pork dinner?
Plan on 2-3 side dishes for a casual dinner and 4-5 for a BBQ party or cookout. A good rule of thumb: one starchy side, one fresh or veggie-based side, and one extra like baked beans or pickles. You don't need to go overboard — the pork is the star.
What vegetables go well with pulled pork?
Corn on the cob, collard greens, grilled zucchini, roasted broccoli, and sauteed green beans all pair well with pulled pork. The key is choosing vegetables with a bit of brightness or char to contrast the rich, smoky pork. A simple cucumber tomato salad works great too.
Can I make pulled pork sides ahead of time?
Yes — most pulled pork sides hold well or taste better when made ahead. Baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, and mac and cheese can all be prepped a day early. Cornbread is best baked the same day, but you can mix the batter the night before and just pour it into the hot skillet when you're ready.