Whole30 Pulled Pork Barbecue Sandwich

Savor the smoky, tangy flavor of this Whole30 Pulled Pork Barbecue Sandwich, a deliciously healthy twist on a classic comfort food favorite. Tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder is seasoned with a flavorful spice rub and simmered to perfection with apple cider vinegar before being generously coated in a Whole30-compliant barbecue sauce. Instead of traditional buns, this recipe keeps it light and clean by serving the pulled pork in crisp lettuce leaves, making it an ideal choice for those following Whole30, Paleo, or gluten-free lifestyles. Topped with zesty red onions and crunchy pickles, these lettuce-wrapped barbecue sandwiches are as satisfying as they are wholesome. Perfect for meal prep or shared meals, this recipe is easy to make in the slow cooker and bursting with bold, barbecue-inspired flavors!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:495 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 pounds pork shoulder (or pork butt)
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup Whole30 compliant barbecue sauce
• 8 leaves large lettuce leaves (e.g. Romaine or Butter lettuce)
• 0.5 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 0.5 cup pickles, sliced

Directions

Step 1

Combine paprika, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl to create a spice rub.

Step 2

Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder ensuring it is well coated.

Step 3

Place the seasoned pork shoulder in a slow cooker.

Step 4

Pour the apple cider vinegar and water around the pork in the slow cooker.

Step 5

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the pork is tender and easy to shred with a fork.

Step 6

Remove the pork from the slow cooker and transfer to a large bowl. Shred the meat using two forks.

Step 7

Discard the cooking liquid and any excess fat that may have accumulated.

Step 8

Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir in the Whole30 compliant barbecue sauce until well combined.

Step 9

Heat on low for another 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 10

Prepare the lettuce leaves by washing and drying them thoroughly.

Step 11

Assemble the sandwiches by placing a large spoonful of pulled pork onto a lettuce leaf.

Step 12

Top with thinly sliced red onions and pickles according to preference.

Step 13

Fold the lettuce around the filling to create a wrap, securing with toothpicks if necessary.

Step 14

Serve immediately and enjoy your Whole30 Pulled Pork Barbecue Sandwiches!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2342.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3768.2

Total Fat 275.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 95.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 952.5mg	0%
Sodium 5890.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 78.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.8g	0%
Total Sugars 40.8g
Protein 251.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 383.1mg	0%
Iron 22.4mg	0%
Potassium 5217.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.2%

Protein: 26.5%

Carbs: 8.3%