Be it in a brioche bun or a good old Southern BBQ plate, there is nothing quite like a well-cooked pulled pork. These long shreds of meat with BBQ sauce deserves some light side dishes for the perfect all rounded meal.
If you’re about to attempt your first pulled pork recipe, it’s important that you get the right cut of meat. The pork shoulder or the Boston butt (or pork butt) is the best cut to use due to its fat marbling and therefore doesn’t dry out during the traditional smoking process.
Just to clarify, the Boston butt is not found in the butt of the pig. Both the pork shoulder and the Boston butt comes from the shoulder of the pig, but the Boston butt is higher on the foreleg, while the pork shoulder is farther down. You can use either cuts with bone in or out, although it is definitely much easier without.
The most popular way to make fork tender pulled pork is in a slow cooker or Dutch oven. You can braise them with beer, slather them in BBQ sauce and have them as burgers, tacos, ragu or simply on its own. No matter how you wish to eat it, you’ll need some light side dishes to go with the pulled pork. As it is fatty, rich and strong in flavour, a good light side dish will help cut through those flavours.
From anise tasting fennel to refreshing citrusy tangelos, we have you covered. This fantastic list of light side salads for pulled pork will have you coming back for more!
Roasted Heirloom Carrots with Pearl Couscous
1/17
A deliciously colourful salad with roasted heirloom carrots and red onions layered on top of a bed of chewy pearl couscous, fresh mint and chopped almonds. A salad that satisfies and the perfect light pulled pork side dish!
Quick Tomato Salad with Burrata
2/17
No ordinary tomato salad and an excellent light pulled pork side dish. This one is runway ready.
Celebrating sweet tomatoes layered with heavenly burrata, this is a super easy light salad to prepare. Indoors or outdoors, this Quick Tomato Salad is perfect for entertaining.
Ruby Grapefruit, Watermelon Panzanella Salad
3/17
Sweet juicy watermelon and zesty ruby grapefruit paired with warm olive oil toasted sourdough, this is our twist on the classic Panzanella salad that tastes fantastic at your next gathering.
This side salads is a really refreshing dish to serve up with pulled pork!
Pear and Rocket Salad with Provoletta Blue Cheese
4/17
This tangy balsamic maple glazed Pear and Rocket Salad is matched with sweet grapes and buttery roasted pecans. All these ingredients sing in harmony with the savoury and bold Provoleta blue cheese.
Fennel and Courgette Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts
5/17
Colourful salad with crunchy raw fennel and courgette ribbons tossed together with sweet zippy citrus flavours. Easy to make and a refreshingly light pulled pork side dish for spring summer gatherings.
Celeriac Mango and Guava Salad
6/17
Who would have thought a knobby, ugly root vegetable, sweet tropical fruits and a nasal clearing infused dressing could be so good? This Guava Salad is no simple flavour combination and you’ll be surprised how fantastic it tastes! Definitely a great light pulled pork side dish to serve up at your dinner party!
Gem Avocado and Watercress Salad
7/17
Need a light pulled pork side dish? Tame the peppery tousled watercress with the creaminess of the avocado and the distinct umami flavours of the ponzu salad dressing. This Gem Avocado Salad is a crazy easy salad that can be whipped up in under 20 minutes!
Parmesan Chipotle Corn Salad with Black Beans
8/17
Smoky, earthy and salty, this Chipotle Corn Salad is accompanied by simple, fresh ingredients. This budget friendly salad is easy to make and fantastic for those warmer months as you host a casual alfresco lunch with family and friends.
Asparagus, Roasted Onion and Balsamic Tomato Salad
9/17
With such a rich flavoured main, this light pulled pork side dish might just be what you’re after.
You would like a leafy salad but not sure how to make it dinner party worthy? We show you how to elevate those leaves with this balsamic tomato salad mixed through with sweet roasted onions and crunchy asparagus.
Radicchio, Baby Gem, Orange and Ruby Grapefruit Salad
10/17
A delectable pairing of bitter and sweet flavours on one plate. This Ruby Grapefruit Salad is fuss-free to prepare, the colours are stunning and would definitely get guests talking around the table.
This light pulled pork side dish is an excellent dinner party menu and will most certainly help to cut through the strong flavours of the BBQ sauce.
Red Quinoa Parsley Salad
11/17
This Quinoa Parsley Salad pays homage to the classic tabbouleh. A light pulled pork side salad that is both refreshing, familiar and an excellent palate cleanser in between mouthfuls.
Red Papaya Salad with Chilli Charred Corn
12/17
Eye catching Red Papaya Salad with a hit of chilli that revitalises the taste buds. Using baby gem lettuce instead of corn chips to scoop up the refreshing salad with charred corn. This recipe makes a delicious light pulled pork side salad.
Tangelo Salad with Roasted Beetroot
13/17
Fresh and vibrant Tangelo Salad perfect for outdoor entertaining and weekday packed lunches. We love how the juicy sweet tangelo, crunchy radishes and creamy pine nuts complement the earthy sweet roasted beetroots perfectly.
Apple, Pear, Almond and Watercress Salad
14/17
Super-fast and easy Watercress Salad that you can throw together for the perfect side dish to a perfectly cooked pulled pork. The crunchy apple and pear with the peppery kick of the watercress adds a good punch to any meal.
Grilled Courgette and Broad Bean Salad
15/17
This Broad Bean Salad with creamy avocado dressing is the ultimate green salad. Rich in nutrients and packed with healthy vegetables, you can have it as a bowl for lunch or as a side salad for pulled pork.
Charred Corn With Roasted Red Onion, Avocado And Tomato Salad
16/17
This Avocado and Tomato Salad with the fresh flavours of charred corn, roasted red onions and a honey mustard dressing makes it a perfect friend for your delicious pulled pork. Easily a crowd pleaser.
Tropical Mango Salad with Coconut Flakes
17/17
Sweet golden mangoes matched perfectly with roasted coconut flakes, crunchy red cabbage, fresh mint and salty peanuts with a tangy lime and fish sauce dressing. A vibrant and healthy mango recipe that is punchy and with a whole lot of tropical vibes.
More Salad Collections
Here’s a fantastic array of other salad collections that just might take your fancy:
- 15 Vegetable Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
- 13 Best Salads for Lamb Shanks
- 13 Quick Salads for Chicken Casserole
Easy Salad Dressing Recipes
Salad dressings are incredibly easy to make in the comfort of your own home. This way you can control the ingredients to suit your palate and you can make the exact portion you need for that one meal. Check out our collection!
Salad Ingredient Pairings
Here are some ingredient pairing ideas if you wish to create your own salad recipe:
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