Pulled pork is such an exciting grilling experience! It’s becoming more and more popular around the world. With countless ways to reinvent these juicy sandwiches, there’s still an ongoing competition regarding the best buns for pulled pork.
Even with all the variations for pulled pork sandwiches that keep appearing, the bun is one highly important ingredient that can put a spotlight on all the rest or completely ruin your sandwich.
Coleslaw is often paired with the saucy shredded pork and that means the bun needs to hold the weight of the liquid.
Buns also come in many flavors, and each will create a unique sandwich. Let’s explore the best buns for pulled pork. There’s no right or wrong option here, just your favorite one!
1. Brioche Buns
The buttery rich and fluffy brioche buns can make fantastic pulled pork sandwiches.
They are sweeter compared to other bread which pairs really well if your pulled pork packs some heat.
Brioche buns are super soft and they can soak in a lot of sauce while retaining their shape.
Whatever flavors you prefer in your pulled pork sandwich, brioche buns are a no -fail option!
Homemade Brioche Buns Recipe from theflavorbender.com
2. Naan Bread
Naan bread doesn’t seem like the usual shape of a bun, and it isn’t! Yes, it’s a flatbread and who says you can’t stuff it with pulled pork and your favorite add-ins?
Naan’s flavor is on the neutral side, which is exactly what savory pulled pork needs. Being flat, they’re very easy to hold when stuffed.
The chewy texture and the outer crust ensure all the sauce stays inside and you can dig in worry-free. What more can you ask?
Homemade Naan Bread Recipe from feastingathome.com
3. Kaiser Rolls
The thing I love most about Kaiser rolls is their crispy outside! Also, the interior is airy and well-equipped to absorb all the juices from your pulled pork.
If you can buy them while they’re still warm, your pulled pork sandwiches will be a total delight!
That hard crust makes this sandwich easy to hold even if you decide to go crazy with the toppings.
4. Ciabatta
The Italian square-shaped bun makes a noteworthy choice for pulled pork sandwiches.
It has a strong flavor, crispy outside, and slightly chewy inside.
For an open-faced pulled pork sandwich, ciabatta is more than capable of holding a generous amount of meat and toppings.
As long as you don’t mind the chewy texture, you can also use two slices of ciabatta and make a regular sandwich.
Homemade Ciabatta Recipe from aheadofthyme.com
5. Potato Buns
Slightly sweeter than a hamburger bun, but just as soft, potato buns are wonderful for any kind of sandwich, including pulled pork.
Potato bread has a unique flavor and the fluffy inside will soak up the juiciness of the pulled pork.
Since the outside is also soft, your pulled pork sandwiches will be easy to chew.
If the shredded meat and toppings have a lot of sauce, things can get messy. However, messy eating is fun, right?
Homemade Potato Bread Rolls from africanbites.com
6. Hoagie Rolls
Hoagie Rolls have a neutral flavor that allows you to fully enjoy the taste of pulled pork and other ingredients included in your sandwich.
They are also super soft and durable, which means they won’t turn into mush even if your pork has a lot of sauce.
Homemade Hoagie Rolls Recipe from thestayathomechef.com
7. Sourdough Buns
As the name implies, sourdough has a slightly sour taste because of the naturally fermented batter.
If you enjoy the taste of sourdough, you’ll love making pulled pork sandwiches with these buns.
Sourdough buns are slightly chewier than Kaiser rolls but softer than ciabatta. They can be used for both regular and open-faced sandwiches.
For a mild pulled pork, keep in mind the strong flavor of sourdough can be overpowering. If your pulled pork packs a punch, it’s a match made in heaven.
Homemade Sourdough Buns Recipe from farmhouseonboone.com
8. Hawaiian Rolls
Hawaiian rolls are sweet and they pair flawlessly with pulled pork, especially the varieties that are more on the savory side.
The dough for these rolls is naturally sweetened with pineapple juice and brown sugar, and enriched with eggs, butter, and milk.
Expect an incredibly fluffy bun with a sweet and buttery flavor that tastes great on its own, not just in a sandwich.
Homemade Hawaiian Rolls Recipe from iambaker.net
9. Bagels
Bagels are being used for hamburgers for quite a while, so why not use them for pulled pork sandwiches, as well?
Yes, the hole can cause a messy experience. Some of us actually enjoy that!
Bagel hamburger buns are also a thing now. Many bakeries and stores have them so you can enjoy the bagel flavor as an exceptional sandwich bun.
Homemade New York Bagels Recipe from halfbakedharvest.com
10. English Muffins
English muffins have a crisp exterior and a fluffy inside ready to hold the weight of juicy pulled pork and extra toppings.
Toasted or not, English muffins make sturdy buns for pulled pork sandwiches. Their natural flavor complements this fragrant dish.
Easy English Muffins Recipe from theviewfromthegreatisland.com
11. Pretzel Buns
The taste of pretzels in a bun is a brilliant idea. As pretzel buns become more popular, it seems many people agree with me.
They have a chewier texture than most buns, so as long as you’re ok with that, there’s no reason not to use them for pulled pork sandwiches.
Homemade Pretzel Rolls Recipe from twopeasandtheirpod.com
12. Biscuits
Biscuits have a rich buttery flavor and a crumbly texture that goes exceptionally well with pulled pork.
They are far from a traditional bun you’d use for a pulled pork sandwich, although they make such a magic pair.
Homemade Biscuits Recipe from natashaskitchen.com
How To Keep Buns & Rolls Fresh For As Long As Possible
Bread left uncovered can dry out pretty fast. Wrap your buns in foil or a plastic bag, making sure no portions are left uncovered.
If you made a batch of homemade buns, allow them to cool completely before storing them. This process can take 1-2 hours.
Where you keep the buns is also important. Left at room temperature, they will last a few days.
Storing them in the fridge is not a good idea, although many people are doing it. Keeping bread in the fridge can actually make it dry faster and may also alter its taste.
For long-term storage, the freezer is your best bet. Wrap each bun tightly in tin foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag.
Before eating, remove the buns from the freezer and let them slowly warm up to room temperature on a baking rack.
F.A.Q.
There’s no right or wrong answer here. Giving your buns a light toast will make them hold all the juices from the pulled pork even better.
Also, if your buns are stale, toasting is an easy way to give them a quick refresh.
For chewier bread types like ciabatta and pretzel rolls, toasting is just a matter of personal taste.
Super soft buns, such as brioche buns and Hawaiian rolls, are sturdier when toasted and can prevent things from getting too messy.
Absolutely! Pulled pork sandwiches are almost like a burger. Instead of a patty, you get saucy shredded meat.
Hamburger buns are soft and have a very mild flavor. A good burger has a juicy patty with plenty of dressing, so these best buns for burgers can hold their own for pulled pork too!
Whether you’re enjoying pulled pork sandwiches or you prefer your pulled pork accompanied by a side dish or a salad, there are plenty of dishes that pair well.
Classic sides like French fries, or coleslaw are great, but if you want to try some more exciting options check out our take on what goes well with pulled pork!
And when you feel like having some leftover pulled pork that’s not a sandwich, try our sheet pan pulled pork nachos, loaded cast iron skillet pulled pork nachos, or these amazing pulled pork enchiladas!
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