Lightened up BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Slaw (2024)

This pulled-pork sandwich with cilantro lime slaw (added apples this time!) is for sure one of my family’s all time favorite summer meals and one I thought would never fit once I started counting macros. But itdoes it does!!

Lightened up BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Slaw (1)

I made some adjustments to the slaw, stopped buttering my bun,found a BBQ sauce I love that’s lower in sugar and voila 👌🏻. My macros are set for maintaining instead of losing now which means my carbs and fat are much higher than when I started so I can even make one with juicy pork butt fit my macros. (If you’re “cutting”, you won’t be cutting forever!) BUT when my numbers are lower and Ross wants to smoke a fattier pork butt, I’d do this lean pork loin in the instant pot or slow cooker for myself which came in handy all week for BBQ pork pizzas and salads etc.. and it was still so delicious! And maybe more importantly I was still eating with my family.

And it’s so light! I’m always floored how a BBQ pulled pork sandwich can turn out to be one of our lowest fat meals. Sometimes I skip a side salad and just have two. Ok all the times.

Lightened up BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Slaw (2)

Lightened up BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Slaw (3)

Lightened up BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Slaw

Everyone in my family loves these and will choose them in a line-up. They’re so surprisingly light and with the instant pot they’re so fast! Can’t go wrong.

PrintPinRate

4.84 from 6 votes

Author Lillie

Servings 8

Calories 360 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 Brioche bun
  • 3/4 cup Barbecue pork (100g) recipe below
  • 1/2 cup Cilantro lime apple slaw (80g) recipe below
  • 2.5 Tbsp. Stubbs barbecue sauce (30g) because it's lowest in carbs or your favorite homemade*

For the Cilantro Lime Apple Slaw

  • 12 oz bag of coleslaw mix
  • 1/2 Bell pepper, diced- (red, yellow, or orange are my fave!) (50g)
  • 1/4-1/2 cup Chopped green onion (30g)
  • 1/4 cup Chopped apple (40g)
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped (20g)
  • 1 Tbsp. White wine vinegar (15g)
  • 2 Tbsp Light mayo (30g)
  • 3 Tbsp Fresh squeezed lime juice (45g)
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/8 tsp Pepper
  • 1 tsp Honey (7g)

For the Pork

  • 2 lb Pork tenderloin, trimmed of silver skin I use the kind that’s only 2.5 fat for 4 oz. I get mine from Costco- looks like this
  • 1 Tbsp. Liquid smoke (15g; sold at grocery stores near bbq sauce)
  • 1/2 cup Water (120g)
  • 1 onion, chopped (280 g)
  • 8 cloves Garlic (I use the frozen Dorot cubes I get at TJ- LOVE these)
  • 1 Tbsp Brown sugar (18g)
  • 2 tsp Dry mustard
  • 2 tsp Onion powder
  • 1 tsp Chili powder
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne* (optional.. if you like a kick)

Instructions

  • *Our favorite super simple (non-low carb!) homemade bbq sauce: I don’t always want to spend the carbs on all this sugar but sometimes I just– do!

  • Whisk together 1 cup ketchup, 1 cup brown sugar, and 1-2 tbs liquid smoke and microwave for a minute or bring to a light boil on the stove.

For the Cilantro Lime Apple Slaw

  • Mix first six ingredients together for dressing (Add up to ¼ cup canola oil if you aren’t watching your fat, I skip it.)

  • Toss with remaining ingredients. It might seem dry at first but it gets better as it sits for a little bit. If it still seems too dry, just add another squeeze of lime or dash of vinegar.

For the Pork

  • Cut pork into 4 inch chunks and season with salt. Sear on all sides.

  • Put smoke, water, pork, onion, garlic, and all spices in the instant pot (I used it!!!!) or you can use a slow cooker. (Don’t stress about the spices, use what you have and skip what you don’t)

  • Set your instant pot to manual and 45 minutes. Allow for 10-15 minute natural release, then open the vent. Open the lid when it releases easily.

  • I like to pull out the chunks and shred them in a shallow dish for ease. Then pour as much of the juices over it as seems good. Toss in juices.

  • If you like your pork a little less juicy and more crispy, you can fry some up in a pan with cooking spray likethese carnitas.We like it both ways.

For the Slow Cooker

For the Sandwich

  • Spray the inside of the buns with cooking spray and pan-toast on a skillet

  • Immediately top with shredded pork, bbq sauce, and cilantro lime apple slaw. Enjoy!! And then probably do it again because these boys are pretty darn light.

Nutrition

Serving: 1brioche bun with 100 grams of pork and 80 grams slaw and 2.5 Tbs StubbsCalories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 26gFat: 8g

Tried this recipe?

Tag @LillieEatsAndTells on Instagram with #LillieEatsandTells! We’d love to see your creations!

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Categories

  • All Recipes
  • Burgers/Sandwiches
  • Dinner
  • Instant Pot
  • Lunch
  • Protein
  • Salads

Tags

  • bbq
  • instant pot
  • pork
  • sandwich
  • slaw

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Lightened up BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Slaw (8)

Lightened up BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Slaw (9)

About the Author

Hello. My name is Lillie. I’m not a registered dietitian, or a macro coach, or a public figure or culinary genius. I’m a mommy of four who FOUND macro-counting and fell in love with this balanced approach to food...

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Lightened up BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Slaw (2024)

FAQs

How many calories in a pulled pork BBQ sandwich? ›

A typical pulled pork sandwich with a standard serving of meat, sauce, and a soft bun can range from 400 to 800 calories. Keep in mind that adding additional toppings such as cheese, coleslaw, or pickles will increase the calorie count.

How many calories in a BBQ pork sandwich with coleslaw? ›

10 ³⁄₁₆ oz of bbq pork sandwich with coleslaw (Meal Sides - Guava BBQ Pork Sandwich, Pollo Tropical) contains 660 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 38% carbs, 46% fat, and 16% protein. This is a good source of protein (46% of your Daily Value).

What makes pulled pork better? ›

What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork? Pork shoulder is ideal for pulling purposes. It has an optimum fat content that yields to create tender, melty meat, but it's essential you cook it slowly to allow the protein to break down properly.

Is a pulled pork sandwich unhealthy? ›

Yes, pulled pork can be a healthy part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation and prepared in a healthy way. It is a good source of protein and certain vitamins, but it is also high in fat and calories. It's important to choose lean cuts of pork and limit added sugars and sodium in BBQ sauces.

How many calories should I eat a day? ›

19-30 years: females need 2,000-2,400 calories per day; males need 2,400-3,000 calories per day. 31-59 years: females need 1,800-2,200 calories per day; males need 2,200-3,000 per day. 60 years and above: Females need 1,600-2,000 per day; males need 2,000-2,600 calories per day.

What is the best bread for pulled pork sandwiches? ›

Kaiser Rolls

This round bread roll is sometimes called a Vienna roll or a hard roll. It originated in Austria and can sometimes have poppy seeds on top. They look kind of like a deli roll and are perfect for big, fat, overstuffed sandwiches. They really stand up to the juicy pulled pork slathered in bbq sauce.

How do I get more flavor in my pulled pork? ›

We use brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, a good amount of salt & pepper, and a pinch of cayenne! Make sure you use all of the seasoning! Also, really rub it into the pulled pork, get all of the nooks and crannies!

Is BBQ pork high in calories? ›

There are 418 calories in a 1 cup (249.000g) serving size of Pulled pork in barbecue sauce. The calorie breakdown is 24% fat, 45% carbs, and 31% protein.

How much pulled pork on a BBQ sandwich? ›

How much BBQ do you need per person for sandwiches? A hardy sandwich calls for 4oz of meat per person. 1 pound of meat is equal to 16 ounces, so you'll need 2 pounds of meat to serve 8 people.

What is the best liquid to keep pulled pork moist? ›

Additionally, spray chicken broth or apple juice on the meat to prevent it from losing more moisture in the crockpot. To add a strong flavor during the process, white wine can also be sprayed.

What is pork butt called? ›

PORK BUTT. PORK SHOULDER. Also known as "Boston butt" Also known as "picnic shoulder" or "picnic roast" Well marbled with intramuscular fat.

Why add apple cider vinegar to pulled pork? ›

Why add apple cider vinegar to pulled pork? Pulled pork relies on both the vinegar's acidity and the low-and-slow cooking process to tenderize the meat, breaking down the protein to give the dish its signature moist, fall-apart texture. Cider vinegar also provides a tangy counterpoint to the fatty pork.

How many calories are in a 6 inch pulled pork sandwich? ›

There are 440 calories in 1 sandwich (266 ml) of Subway 6" BBQ Pulled Pork. * The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet.

How many calories in a cook out barbecue sandwich? ›

Cook Out Regular BBQ Sandwich (8.8 Oz) contains 35g total carbs, 34g net carbs, 12g fat, 29g protein, and 370 calories.

How many calories in a Texas Roadhouse pulled pork sandwich? ›

Nutrition summary:

There are 870 calories in 1 serving of Texas Roadhouse Pulled Pork Sandwich. Calorie breakdown: 41% fat, 28% carbs, 31% protein.

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