Pulled pork is a versatile and beloved dish, but the right sauce can take it to the next level. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which sauce to pair with your pulled pork. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the 15 best sauces for pulled pork, including classic and innovative options.
What sauces taste good on pulled pork?
Pulled pork is one of the most delicious and versatile dishes around – tasty enough to be enjoyed plain but open to so many new flavors when you pair it with a sauce. But which sauces taste the best?
From sweet, tangy BBQs to savory Worcestershire-based combos, an endless selection of potential pairings will take your pulled pork dish from good to great! Below are our top 15 best sauces for pulled pork.
Traditional BBQ Sauce
Traditional BBQ sauce originated in the southern United States and has been a beloved staple ever since. The sauce is usually tomato-based, with a blend of spices, vinegar, and sugar.
The sugar content can vary, with some recipes calling for molasses or honey for a richer flavor.
The spices in the sauce add complexity and depth of flavor. Garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika are commonly used ingredients that make it stand out from other sauces.
The natural flavor of pulled pork is smokey, savory, and salty. The bold flavors of this dish need a sauce that can stand up to the rich taste of the meat. Traditional BBQ sauce is precisely this kind of sauce.
Its sweetness balances the salty and bitter notes of the pork, while its tanginess cuts through the richness of the meat.
The combination of the sauce’s consistency and flavors coats the pulled pork providing a juicy, tender, and finger-licking good taste that is unforgettable.
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Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
If you are looking for a tangy alternative to traditional BBQ sauce, Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce is a great option to try. This yellow-hued sauce is a specialty of South Carolina and is used to add a unique depth of flavor to pulled pork dishes. Unlike traditional tomato-based BBQ sauce, Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce is made with mustard, vinegar, and a range of spices that make it stand out from other sauces.
The tanginess of the mustard provides an excellent contrast to the savory flavors of pulled pork. The sauce also has a pleasant heat that adds a warming depth to the flavorful sauce.
Plus, the sauce’s vinegar content helps cut through the meat’s richness, making every bite fresh and flavorful. Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce is a versatile sauce that can be used during cooking or as a finishing sauce before serving.
Its unique flavor profile makes it an excellent pairing with slow-cooked or smoked pulled pork, but it can also be added to sandwiches or used as a dipping sauce for an extra kick of flavor.
Alabama White Sauce
Alabama White Sauce is a must-try for BBQ enthusiasts, especially those who love pulled pork. Originating in northern Alabama, this unique sauce is a blend of mayonnaise, vinegar, and a range of spices that add a tangy and creamy finish to the pulled pork.
Unlike traditional BBQ sauce, Alabama White Sauce is white in color, and the taste is an excellent contrast to the savory flavor of the pork.
The creaminess of the mayonnaise creates a luxurious mouthfeel, while the tanginess from the vinegar adds a pleasant brightness to each bite. Unlike other sauces, Alabama White Sauce is a perfect pairing with grilled or smoked pulled pork, enhancing the natural smokiness of the meat.
The sauce’s unique flavor profile makes it a versatile sauce that can also be used for dipping, marinating, or salad dressing.
Overall, Alabama White Sauce is an excellent choice for those who want to add a tangy and creamy finish to their favorite pulled pork dishes.
Spicy Chipotle Sauce
For those who prefer extra spice in their meals, Spicy Chipotle Sauce is a perfect choice to consider when looking to pair it with pulled pork. Made with smoked chili peppers, adobo sauce, and a blend of spices, this sauce packs a flavorful punch that will wake your taste buds up.
The chili peppers’ smokiness complements the pulled pork’s natural richness, while the adobo sauce and spices add extra layers of flavor that will leave you wanting more.
In addition to the sauce’s bold flavor, its consistency is also a great match for pulled pork. Its thick and sticky texture coats the meat perfectly, maximizing the sauce’s flavor in every bite. This sauce is perfect for grilling pulled pork and is also a great marinade for roasting it in the oven.
Whether you’re looking for a spicy finish to your pulled pork or want to change the sauce’s flavor, Spicy Chipotle Sauce is a great option.
Pineapple Habanero Sauce
If you’re a fan of sweet and spicy flavor combinations, Pineapple Habanero Sauce is a fantastic option to consider when pairing a sauce with pulled pork. The sauce features a blend of ripe pineapples and fiery habanero peppers that create a tropical taste explosion in each bite.
The sauce’s sweetness from the pineapples helps to balance out the heat from the habanero peppers, creating a balanced and flavorful sauce that perfectly complements the flavor of pulled pork.
The sauce’s texture is perfect for pulled pork, too. It’s thick and sticky, which helps it to coat the pork and keep it moist.
The sauce’s texture, flavor, and bit of heat create a delicious sauce that is perfect for using with pulled pork, and it’s also great for marinades, basting, or as a dipping sauce.
The tropical flavors of Pineapple Habanero Sauce provide an unforgettable culinary experience that will leave you wanting more, and its sweet yet spicy flavor profile will impress even the most adventurous eaters.
Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce
For those who love experimenting with unique flavors, Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce is the perfect sauce alternative to traditional BBQ sauce for pulled pork. This tantalizing sauce is made with a delightful blend of bourbon and fresh peaches, creating a complex and flavorful finish.
Its sweetness from the peaches combines perfectly with the bourbon’s slight hint of caramel or vanilla, giving the sauce a rich and fruity, memorable flavor.
The sauce’s thick and sticky consistency melds well with the pulled pork, giving it a juicy and tender mouthfeel. The flavors of Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce balance out the dish’s smoky flavor, making it an excellent option for those who want to experience a sweet yet tangy finish to their pulled pork.
This versatile sauce can be used as a marinade, basting, or dipping sauce and is also delicious when added to sandwiches or burgers.
If you’re looking for a creative and sophisticated sauce option for your pulled pork dishes, Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce is undoubtedly an irresistible choice.
Honey Garlic Sauce
Honey garlic sauce is a popular sauce that is an ideal match with pulled pork. Made with a combination of honey, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and a blend of spices, this sauce has a charming sweetness and savory flavor that perfectly combines with pulled pork’s delicious taste. The sweet and sticky consistency of the sauce helps to enhance the texture of the meat, adding new layers of flavor and depth to the dish.
What makes honey garlic sauce unique is its versatility. The sauce is perfect as a marinade, basting, or dressing, and helps to infuse the pork with its sweet and garlic flavors.
The sauce’s flavor profile and texture add a comforting and delectable dimension to pulled pork, making it an ideal option for sandwiches, wraps, salads, or even as a standalone dish.
Overall, honey garlic sauce is an excellent sauce for pulled pork, and its taste and versatility make it a favorite for meat lovers looking to enhance the taste of their dishes.
Sriracha Lime Sauce
Sriracha Lime sauce is a tangy and spicy sauce that’s perfect for those who love a little bit of heat. The combination of heat and citrus creates a flavor explosion that is perfect for augmenting the taste of pulled pork. The sauce’s ingredients include sriracha sauce, lime juice, honey, and a blend of spices that perfectly complement the meat’s flavor, resulting in a delicious sweet, and spicy finish.
The sauce’s slightly runny consistency is perfect for pulled pork, and its flavor complements the meat’s natural flavor. The sweetness from the honey provides a calming effect to the sauce’s spiciness, and the lime juice’s tangy finish balances the dish’s overall taste.
In addition, the sauce has a revitalizing flavor that makes it an ideal match for slow-cooked or smoked pulled pork. It can be used as a dipping sauce or as a finishing sauce to add more depth to the flavor, so it’s a versatile choice for those who want to experiment with different tastes.
Overall, Sriracha Lime sauce is an excellent sauce to use with pulled pork and is perfect for those who enjoy a little bit of heat in their meals.
Sweet Teriyaki Sauce
Sriracha Lime sauce is a tangy and spicy sauce that’s perfect for those who love a little bit of heat. The combination of heat and citrus creates a flavor explosion that is perfect for augmenting the taste of pulled pork. The sauce’s ingredients include sriracha sauce, lime juice, honey, and a blend of spices that perfectly complement the meat’s flavor, resulting in a delicious sweet, and spicy finish.
The sauce’s slightly runny consistency is perfect for pulled pork, and its flavor complements the meat’s natural flavor. The sweetness from the honey provides a calming effect to the sauce’s spiciness, and the lime juice’s tangy finish balances the dish’s overall taste.
Also, the sauce’s revitalizing flavor makes it an ideal match for slow-cooked or smoked pulled pork. It can be used as a dipping sauce or as a finishing sauce to add more depth to the flavor, so it’s a versatile choice for those who want to experiment with different tastes.
The Sriracha Lime sauce is an ideal accompaniment for pulled pork, especially for those who crave spiciness in their food.
Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri sauce is a popular Argentine sauce that is a great option to pair with pulled pork, adding a unique and refreshing flavor to the dish. Mainly made with fresh parsley, oregano, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil, its bright green color and herbaceous flavor make it stand out from other sauces. This sauce’s tangy and garlic flavor work well with pork, while its consistency perfectly coats the meat, providing a robust and vibrant flavor.
Unlike other sauces, Chimichurri sauce can be considered to be healthier due to its natural, unprocessed ingredients. It’s ideal for those looking for a lighter alternative to traditional BBQ sauce but still want plenty of flavors.
Its fresh taste provides a welcome contrast to the rich, smoky flavors of pulled pork. Slow-cooked pork also tends to be quite juicy, and the herbaceous flavors of the sauce create a great balance, providing a bright and zesty finish to the dish.
Chimichurri sauce is a great alternative to traditional sauces for pulled pork, and its refreshing taste makes it a perfect sauce for summer barbecues.
Mango Salsa
Mango salsa is a fresh and fruity sauce that pairs exceptionally well with pulled pork. Made with a blend of fresh mango, red onion, jalapeno peppers, lime juice, and cilantro, its combination of sweet and spicy flavors creates a unique tropical twist that enhances the pulled pork’s rich flavor.
The sauce’s light and refreshing taste provides a welcome contrast to the meat’s smokiness, creating a well-balanced and flavorful dish.
Mango salsa is a delicious sauce option for pulled pork. It is also easy to make, provides plenty of health benefits, and creates a beautiful and colorful presentation.
Mangoes are an excellent source of vitamins and fiber; the other fresh ingredients in the salsa contribute to its nutritional value.
The sauce’s chunky texture adds a delightful crunch to the tender pulled pork. Mango salsa is perfect as a topping for sandwiches and burgers or as a side dish that adds a delicious and healthy twist to any pulled pork recipe.
Creamy Horseradish Sauce
Creamy horseradish sauce, made with a blend of horseradish, mayonnaise, sour cream, and a range of spices, is a perfect sauce pairing for pulled pork. This zesty sauce has a unique and pungent flavor that complements the pork’s natural juiciness. The sauce also has a creamy and smooth consistency that adds richness and depth to the dish, balancing out the smoky taste of the meat.
The horseradish in the sauce also possesses a slightly spicy taste that boosts the overall flavor profile of the pulled pork, making it more inviting. The combination of spices further enhances the dish’s taste, creating a one-of-a-kind flavor that will keep you coming back for more.
This sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used in many ways, including sandwiches, burgers, and as a dipping sauce. If you’re looking for a tangy and creamy sauce that adds zing and bold flavors to your pulled pork dish, creamy horseradish sauce is an excellent option to try.
Maple Dijon Sauce
Maple Dijon sauce is a delicious and sweet sauce that is an excellent pairing for pulled pork. The sauce is made with a combination of Dijon mustard and maple syrup, creating a robust and tangy flavor that is perfect for complementing pulled pork’s rich, smoky, and savory flavors. The sauce’s thick and sticky consistency helps it to cling well to the pulled pork, providing an exceptional coating that enhances the flavor of the meat.
The sweet and tangy flavor of the Maple Dijon sauce creates an irresistible taste that provides a unique twist to traditional BBQ sauce. The sauce is also perfect for adding a sweet glaze to pulled pork that you can either drizzle or brush on the surface to create a caramelized and balanced flavor.
It is an ideal choice as a dipping sauce or a marinade that will enhance the taste of the pork and make it more enjoyable.
In summary, Maple Dijon sauce is a versatile and mouthwatering sauce that provides a perfect solution for those who love a mix of sweet and tangy flavors with their pulled pork dish.
Gochujang Korean BBQ Sauce
If you’re craving something different for your pulled pork, try using Gochujang Korean BBQ sauce. This sauce blends gochujang chili paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar and contains savory, sweet, and umami flavors.
Gochujang, which is a Korean fermented chili paste, adds a unique mildly spiced element that perfectly complements the pulled pork’s flavor. The perfect balance of sweet and savory sauce makes it a delightful pairing for pulled pork dishes.
The sauce’s consistency is just right and exponentially enhances the pork. The sauce quickly absorbs into the meat, saturating every bite with a rich and robust flavor. It’s an excellent option for basting the pork during cooking, drizzling over the top of your sandwiches, or using it as a dipping sauce.
The sauce’s uniqueness brings an intriguing dimension to traditional pulled pork, making it an exciting sauce option for those who want to try something new.
Vegan Cashew Queso
Vegan Cashew Queso makes an excellent sauce for pulled pork because it provides the perfect combination of creaminess and smoky, savory flavor. The cashews lend a creamy, nutty flavor while the spices give it a smokiness that complements the pork flavors nicely. In addition, its thick texture makes it easy to spread and mix with the pulled pork without overpowering it.
Vegan Cashew Queso also adds an aesthetic appeal to pulled pork dishes with its bright orange hue. Its rich color adds vibrancy to your dish, making it more inviting and appealing.
The sauce is also vegan-friendly, so you can safely serve it without worrying about ingredients like dairy or animal products. Vegan Cashew Queso is an excellent choice for adding depth and interest to your pulled pork dish.
By experimenting with these 15 sauces, you can find the perfect pairing for your pulled pork dish. Whether you prefer traditional BBQ sauce or a more unique and innovative option, there’s a sauce on this list for you. Don’t be afraid to mix and match or even create your own combinations. Share your favorite sauce creations with us on social media!
