Pulled Pork Recipes Perfect for Tailgating

Score big with one of these sweet-and-smoky, game-winning plays.

Photo by: Armando Rafael

Armando Rafael

It’s time to dig out the portable grill, don your team colors and gather your crew for a tailgate. Regardless of which team you root for there’s one thing all football fans have in common — we love to eat and drink!

One of our all-time favorites? Pulled pork sammies.

A sweet and smoky staple that has earned its place as a pre-game essential, pulled pork might just be the MVP of tailgating. It’s easy to make ahead and reheat in the parking lot (just throw a covered aluminum pan of saucy pulled pork on your portable grill over indirect heat) and it tastes even better when it’s made a day or two in advance (because the flavors have more time to develop).

Best of all, there are a lot of ways to make a tender, delicious pork roast — so you don’t have to sweat it if you don’t have a smoker, tons of time or a pit master-approved dry rub recipe.

Tyler Florence's Oven-Roasted Pulled Pork Sandwiches for the Indoor Barbecue episode of Food 911, as seen on Food Network.

TylerFlorence_OvenRoastedPulledPorkSandwiches_H

Tyler Florence's Oven-Roasted Pulled Pork Sandwiches for the Indoor Barbecue episode of Food 911, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Renee Comet

Renee Comet

Roast It in the Oven

A tried-and-true method for a tender pork roast, this recipe is all about “low-and-slow” cooking. Keep the temperature of the oven low so that the meat stays moist as it cooks; it will take several hours for the roast to reach the right internal temperature — but it will be worth the wait.

Photo by: Armando Rafael

Armando Rafael

Cook It in the Instant Pot

For great results in a fraction of the time, take advantage of this gadget’s many cook settings. Use your multi-cooker's sauté feature to brown the pork and reduce the cooking juices; choose the pressure cycle to cook the pork in just one hour.

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Photo by: Andrew Purcell

Andrew Purcell

Start It on the Stovetop

Before you pop your pork roast into the slow cooker, brown it in a skillet on the stovetop. This extra step only takes a few minutes — and the pan drippings will add amazing flavor to your cooking liquid.

Katie Lee makes Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches, as seen on Food Network's The Kitchen

Katie Lee makes Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches, as seen on Food Network's The Kitchen

Simmer It the Slow Cooker

The ultimate set-it-and-forget-it recipe! This pulled pork has so much flavor — and making it is as easy as putting ingredients into your slow cooker.

Make It Healthy

This quick and easy pulled pork recipe relies on lean pork tenderloin and a bold blend of spices (like cumin, cinnamon and cayenne) to make a healthy and flavorful version of the classic.

Plus:

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