Felix celebrated a birthday on Saturday and to honor the occasion we hosted a dinner party for several of our good friends. Cooking for eight in the past would have required me to run around like a crazy person making last minute preparation even after the guests arrived. The work would continue until dinner was over at which point I would collapse from exhaustion. Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s actually nice to be able to enjoy the party.
I’ve always liked cooking dishes that required last minute preparation. Those meals are fun to make, but that type of menu doesn’t make for a relaxing time for the cook. After much experience, I’ve finally learned that in order to have a fun time I need to serve food that can be prepared ahead of time.
Since we were dining outside, I decided to make it a barbecue and smoke a couple of Boston butt roasts. I put them on the Big Green Egg at 7:00 Saturday morning and the main course was done. I made a few sides ahead of time and there was very little to do when guests arrived. I actually enjoyed the party!
Boston butts should be cooked very slowly for a long time at a low temperature. I smoked the roasts at 275 degrees for about 11 or 12 hours. They can also be cooked in a slow cooker at the low setting for approximately eight hours or in the oven at 275 degrees until the internal temperature reaches 195 degrees.
Today’s post features sliders made with yesterday’s pork. The cool coleslaw made with ranch dressing makes a perfect compliment to the heat of the pork and barbecue sauce. The best thing about making a Boston butt is that leftovers are just as good as the first time around.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup honey
2 bay leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons liquid smoke
Tabasco sauce to taste
1/4 cup minced garlic
1/4 cup minced scallion
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 3 to 4-pound Boston butt roast
2 cups low-sodium chicken stock (if cooking in a slow cooker)
1/2 cup barbecue sauce (if cooking in a slow cooker)
Dizzy Dust (or your favorite dry rub)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons minced flat leaf parsley
1 tablespoon minced chives
1 tablespoon minced scallion, green part only
1 clove garlic, minced
6 cups shredded cabbage
2 cups shredded red cabbage
2 cups shredded carrot
1/2 Vidalia onions, thinly sliced
Ranch dressing to taste
12 dinner rolls
Pulled pork
Barbecue sauce
Coleslaw
Instructions
Mix all ingredients and refrigerate for 2 hours.
1. Combine garlic, scallion, thyme, basil, jalapeno pepper, salt, and black pepper.
2. With a paring knife, cut 10 to 12 one inch slits in pork. Insert seasoning into pockets in equal amounts.
3. Season outside of roast with dry rub.
4. Pork can be cooked in a smoker or a slow cooker. It should be cooked at approximately 275 degrees until the internal temperature registers to 195 degrees. If cooking in a smoker, cooking time will be approximately 10 to 12 hours. If cooking in a slow cooker, cooking time will be approximately 8-10 hours on low setting until tender. If using a slow cooker place meat in cooker with 2 cups chicken stock and 1/2 cup barbecue sauce.
5. Shred pork with two forks.
1. Whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, sour cream, lemon juice, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Add salt, pepper, parsley, chives, scallion, and garlic. Mix well and refrigerate until needed.
Combine cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, and onion. Add ranch dressing to taste. Mix well and set aside.
1. Slice dinner rolls. Top bottom part of roll with pulled pork.
2. Spoon barbecue sauce over meat.
3. Top meat with coleslaw.
https://southernboydishes.com/2013/07/15/pulled-pork-sliders-with-ranch-coleslaw/
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Just to be sure, you do not put the BBQ sauce on until assembling? I’m so used to having the meat in some sort of sauce when slow cooking.. Making this today for our Super Bowl party!
This is a great sauce, had many happy guests the other day at a BBQ. Melbourne, Australia
Thanks for the feedback, Ben. I always like to hear from reader who have tried a recipe. So glad you liked it. Thanks for dropping by SBD! Hope you’ll come back soon!
Need to forward this to the hubby! He’s been talking about smoking a pork butt and this is the perfect inspiration!
Nothing better than your own pulled pork! I love dishes that take all day to make. 😉 Nice sauce, great coleslaw. Sounds like a perfect meal!
These look so yummy and colorful. I agree, entertaining has to be fun for the host and guest..and you’ve perfected it.
Happy Birthday to Felix..(I’m guessing who it is but not too sure..)
I wish I was having this for dinner tonight!
Oh yum! I’m looking at the before 8am and already craving BBQ. Great sandwiches and love the homemade dressing.