Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

5 from 8 votes

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Doesn’t a roasted pork shoulder that is first dry rubbed and slowly rendered to fall apart deliciousness sound good? How about basted with a balsamic, honey and herb sauce for maximum sticky outer goodness. Heavenly, right? Keep reading because it’s sandwich time, Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwich time, and they’re not just for lunch.

Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

After easily shredding the pork I decided to use it in these Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Am I ever glad that thought came to me.

Every now and then I stray from my usual lunch and feel like a sandwich. Sometimes I even feel like having a sandwich for dinner. Well the other day I decided to put some slow roasted pulled pork to good use and stuff a sandwich. Not just any sandwich either. One using fresh sourdough bread and lots of cheese. Cheddar cheese, but feel free to use whatever kind you like.

Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

My intentions were to work all day as the slow cooker did it’s thing and then decided to slow roast this for maximum outer crunch and sticky goodness.

I opted for a simple salt, pepper and ground sage dry rub on a bone in pork shoulder I had picked up. Sage is a wonderful, earthy herb and always reminds me of holiday cooking. My first thought was using a bag of frozen cranberries I had and make a little sauce for the pulled pork. Skipped that and went for a nice, sweet and sour type theme with balsamic vinegar, honey and more sage. So good, so easy. I basted this guy in the last hour of roasting and the flavors are so good.

Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Once I pulled the pork into nice chunks and shreds it was tossed in the balance of the sauce as I pondered a suitable side dish to serve with it.

Dave recently had a root canal done and for a couple nights we were sipping soups and other less crunchy fare, so I held onto this one for the next night’s dinner when he could finally sink his teeth into a proper meal. Actually, this was so tasty we had it for lunch, too. Ha!

Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

With summer approaching and the Farmer’s Market brimming with bins of fresh corn, we have been on a corn binge here lately. What a perfect side for this filling and hearty sandwich, fresh from the grill with a little char and dabbed in butter.

I must admit I was so full from this sandwich I kept the corn I grilled for a salad, but that’s another story. I’m telling you guys this balsamic, honey kissed pulled pork and cheddar cheese sandwich is OFF THE HOOK.

Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Feel free to use what ever cheese you prefer, but I love the tang of the balsamic and cheddar mixed with the sweet kiss of honey that coats this pulled pork.

After melting the cheese on an open faced piece of sour dough bread that I slathered with butter (you’ve got to, it’s a grilled cheese sandwich) in my cast iron skillet, I piled on the pulled pork and dropped another buttered piece of sourdough on top of that. After it came to a sizzling golden brown, a quick flip to do the same on the other side, and we were in heaven.

Who doesn’t love a good, gooey, melted, grilled cheese sandwich. But this is a more adult, stuffed version. Perfect for anyone and ready to go. I provided two ways to make this in the recipe instructions, too. One in the oven to roast and one by way of the slow cooker. I do the hard work so you don’t have to.

For other pork recipes try my Pineapple Chile Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Root Beer Glazed Slow Cooker Pulled Pork or this Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloin. Enjoy!

Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

 

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Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. www.keviniscooking.com

Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

5 from 8 votes
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwiches start with a slow roasted pork shoulder dry rubbed with spices and basted with a delicious balsamic and honey sauce. Layered on buttered sourdough bread with lots of cheddar cheese they are pan fried for the ultimate grilled cheese! Nutritional information is for meat only as bread and cheese amounts may vary per person. Recipe video included.
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 6 hours
Total: 6 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 4 lb pork shoulder bone in

Dry Rub

Sauce

Instructions 

  • Roast in oven: Mix together the dry rub seasonings in a small bowl. Rub all sides and press to adhere spices to pork. Place in a greased shallow baking pan and slow roast, covered, at 225°F for 6 hours (See Note 1).
  • In a small saucepan add the sauce ingredients and cook over medium heat, stirring to combine. This will thicken slightly. Set aside.
  • In last hour of roasting, baste several times with sauce uncovered. Internal temp should be 205°F.
  • Shred with fork and pour remaining sauce over meat in bowl, mixing to coat well. Serve as is with a side dish or in sandwich (as pictured).

  • Slow cooker: Mix together the dry rub seasoning in a small bowl. Rub all sides and press to adhere spices to pork. Place in slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray for 6 hours.(See Note 2).
  • In last hour of cooking, baste several times with sauce.
  • Remove bone and shred with fork. Pour remaining sauce over meat in slow cooker, mixing to coat well. Serve as is with a side dish or in sandwich (as pictured).

Video

Notes

1. Roasting allows meat to real caramelize and get an outer bark ( the crispy, crunchy bits). When 6 hours are up test if fall apart tender by wiggling the bone, if it slips away easily from meat, it is done. If not, then cook for another 10 minutes and check until bone is easily pulled. Internal temp should be 205°F.
2. Slow cooking method does not caramelize the meat with a crunchy outer bark, but is just as tender. I pull the bone from the pork in the slow cooker and shred the meat in the cooker. Pour the remaining sauce over and stir to mix.

Nutrition

Calories: 536kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 34.3g | Fat: 35.7g | Saturated Fat: 12.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15.9g | Cholesterol: 140.9mg | Sodium: 254.4mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 15.5g

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: Main
Cuisine: American, Western
Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!

 

Kevin

Whether in the kitchen or on the grill, you’ll find me cooking American favorites with a love for BBQ, Mexican and Tex Mex. I’m passionate about making tasty food because life’s too short to be bland!

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38 Comments

  1. We don’t do a whole lot of sandwiches here, but like you, sometimes I crave a grilled cheese dinner (with a side of pickles, of course). I know Eric would love it if I added some pulled pork on his. Maybe if he’s nice to me, I’ll make this for him. 😛

  2. 5 stars
    These photos have me SOOO hungry, Kevin! The texture of the pork looks perfect and then crunchy sourdough and all that melty cheese? I am in! The flavor profile of both the rub and the sauce sound amazing…

    1. Thanks Marissa! The pictures don’t lie, these are truly quite good. Perfect in quesadillas, too. 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    Kevin, your pulled pork ideas are endless and always so delicious! I haven’t made pulled pork at home yet, but I might be ready soon. Well, I’m going to start with pulled chicken although that’s not the same:) Well done!

  4. 5 stars
    Pulled pork is one of my true weaknesses. I hardly ever make it at home, but I order it whenever I see it on a menu!! I’ve even had a pulled pork salad at Disney World 🙂 This sandwich looks divine… I might be stopping by the meat counter on my way home from work…

    1. Thanks Erin, glad I could inspire! That salad at Disney sounds interesting. Haven’t been thee in years. Sounds like a trip is in my future. 😉

  5. Kevin, will you PLEASE stop making your food look so good. I just finished a huge lunch, and reading this post makes me want to follow it up with a sandwich. Fortunately, pulled pork takes time … otherwise I’d be eating one of these right now as I’m typing this note. Seriously, this looks like the kind of thing I would not be able to stop eating.

    1. See these are the kind of comments I live for, thanks! So glad I could be there for you Jeff. 🙂
      Just purchase a nice pork shoulder on your way home today (you should have all the other ingredients already in your pantry, I have faith in you), set it up in the slow cooker in the morning so it will be ready for you when you come and make the grilled cheese sandwich… or wait for the weekend and slow roast this bad boy. Either way you two win. 🙂

  6. That looks just fabulous! Only had pulled pork once or twice before (just realised how sad that sounds 😉 Love the sticky outer goodness of balsamic and honey ♡

    1. Wow, once or twice? Not sad at all, I’m here to assist. I hope you dig into this one then Miriam!
      Slow cooker or in the oven, try them both. Same great flavor, only difference is in meat texture. See which you prefer! 🙂

  7. Hey Kevin! This sounds SO good! I’ve been craving pulled pork and I’m always up for a grilled cheese! As much as I love the bark, I think I’ll use my slow cooker because it has been in the mid 90’s here! And a good aged Cheddar is a must! 🙂

    1. This is great for leftovers too Dorothy, we had the rest in quesadillas last night! Wow, 90° is a bit hot, glad I gave 2 options. Have a great day.

  8. This is definitely next-level grilled cheese! I am 100% with you on the honey bbq/cheddar combo – nothing better! And corn…oh my, don’t even get me started! That’s all I’ve wanted to eat for about 2 weeks straight, lol! So, so good.

    1. My favorite is the crunchy, glazed outer bark created while roasting and the bits of it you get when it’s shredded. So good! Thanks Faith, I have a few new corn recipes coming up, stay tuned! 😉

  9. 5 stars
    Ummm… WOOOOOW!! Yes, yes YES a dry rubbed, roasted pork shoulder basted with balsamic, honey and herb sauce sounds HEAVENLY! But then you stuffed all that deliciousness into a grilled cheese!!! Holy pork-tastic perfection, Kevin!! I’m drooling like a rabid dog over here! Pinned! Cheers, buddy!

    1. Thanks so much Chey, my sentiments exactly! So glad you and Boy were able to get away for that beach weekend finally. Cheers!

  10. You are right, Kevin! This sandwich is off the hook! This looks wicked. All that pulled pork and all that cheese combined together with buttery bread in a cast iron skillet….gimme!! It’s only early here yet, but I would totally eat this for breakfast. Great way to kick off Monday : ) !!