Irresistible BBQ Pulled Pork Gyro Sandwiches: Your New Favorite Easy Recipe
Prepare to be amazed by these BBQ Pulled Pork Gyro Sandwiches! They feature succulent slow cooker pulled pork, a generous dollop of creamy homemade coleslaw, and a drizzle of your favorite BBQ sauce, all perfectly nestled within a warm, soft flatbread. These pork gyros offer a delightful and unexpected twist, making them the ultimate crowd-pleaser for your next backyard bash or a fun weeknight meal!
A Delicious Twist on the Classic: BBQ Pulled Pork Gyro
Let’s be clear from the start: this BBQ Pulled Pork Gyro may not adhere to traditional Greek gyro recipes, but what it lacks in authenticity, it more than makes up for in sheer deliciousness! Forget the tzatziki for a moment; instead, we’re building an incredible flavor profile around a rich, homemade Creamy Coleslaw. The result? A mouthwatering pulled pork flatbread sandwich that will have everyone asking for seconds!
These pork gyros have become a staple on our family menu, and for good reason! First, the convenience of preparing the pulled pork in a slow cooker is unmatched. You can easily cook a large batch of tender, juicy meat and enjoy it in various forms throughout the week, making meal prep a breeze. Second, these gyros are simply super addicting. The combination of savory pork, tangy BBQ sauce, and crunchy coleslaw is a match made in culinary heaven.
My husband and I absolutely can’t get enough of them, and even the kids enjoy them (though usually without the red onion). To be honest, I sometimes prefer to keep these all to myself! Yes, I’m one of those parents who might strategically hide leftovers in the back of the fridge, only to retrieve them later and enjoy them in a quiet corner. A person needs their secret stashes, right?
The beauty of this pork gyros recipe lies in its simplicity, largely thanks to your trusty slow cooker. Just place your pork roast inside, set it, and forget it for about 8 hours. You’ll be rewarded with incredibly tender, fall-apart meat that’s perfect for shredding. I highly recommend using my go-to Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork recipe for the base, and then whipping up a batch of my flavorful Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce to truly elevate the experience.
So, while they might not be entirely traditional, these BBQ Pulled Pork Gyros are undeniably delicious, incredibly easy to prepare, and offer a fun, modern spin on classic flavors. They’re perfect for any day of the week, especially when you’re craving something hearty and satisfying with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love These BBQ Pulled Pork Gyros
- Hearty and Downright Delicious: Each bite is packed with savory, tender pork, creamy coleslaw, and tangy BBQ sauce, making for a truly satisfying meal. It’s comfort food with a gourmet touch!
- Kid-Tested and Approved: Even the pickiest eaters often love the combination of flavors and textures, especially when customized (e.g., holding the onion). It’s a fun and approachable way to enjoy pulled pork.
- Something Unique to Serve at Your Next Barbecue: Break away from traditional burgers and hot dogs. These gyros offer an exciting and memorable option that will impress your guests and become a talking point.
- Incredibly Easy to Make: With the slow cooker doing most of the work for the pork, and simple assembly, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.
- The Pulled Pork is Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tender: Low and slow cooking ensures the pork is unbelievably soft, juicy, and shreds effortlessly, absorbing all the delicious BBQ flavors.
Key Ingredients for Crafting Your Perfect BBQ Pulled Pork Gyros
Creating these sensational BBQ Pulled Pork Gyros relies on a few key components, each playing a crucial role in the overall flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need:
- PULLED PORK: The heart of this sandwich! For consistently tender and flavorful results, I always turn to this incredibly easy and delicious Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork recipe. The slow cooking process ensures the pork is perfectly shreddable and packed with savory goodness.
- COLESLAW: This is where the “gyro” twist really shines. While store-bought coleslaw is an option for convenience, I truly believe my Homemade Creamy Coleslaw makes all the difference. Its crisp texture and tangy, creamy dressing provide a fantastic contrast to the rich pulled pork. Trust me, it’s surprisingly simple to make, and the fresh taste is unparalleled – my husband won’t eat any other kind!
- BBQ SAUCE: A vital component for that classic BBQ flavor. My homemade Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes that beautifully complements the pork. However, feel free to use your favorite high-quality store-bought brand if you’re short on time.
- VEGGIES: To keep a nod to the traditional gyro while adding freshness, I like to top my pork gyros with crisp lettuce, juicy tomato slices, and thinly sliced red onion. These fresh additions provide a welcome crunch and bright counterpoint to the rich meat and sauce.
- FLATBREAD: The ideal vessel for our delicious fillings! While pita bread might be a common choice for gyros, I find naan to be superior for this pulled pork version. Naan is wonderfully soft, slightly chewy, and provides a larger surface area, allowing you to load up on all the tasty ingredients without fear of spillage. It creates a much more satisfying and substantial “gyro” experience – because bigger and better is how we roll!
Simple Instructions to Assemble Your BBQ Pulled Pork Gyro Sandwiches
Making these delicious gyros is a straightforward process, especially since your slow cooker handles the main star. Here’s how to bring it all together:
- COOK THE PORK: Begin by following my detailed recipe for Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork. This step is crucial for achieving that perfectly tender, shreddable meat that forms the base of your gyros. Allow it to cook low and slow until it easily pulls apart.
- PREPARE COLESLAW AND BBQ SAUCE: While your pork is happily cooking away in the slow cooker, use this time efficiently to prepare your sides. If you’re making the coleslaw and BBQ sauce from scratch, now is the perfect opportunity to do so. This ensures everything is fresh and ready for assembly.
- ASSEMBLE THE PORK GYROS: Once all your components are prepared, it’s time to build your masterpiece! Start by placing a layer of fresh lettuce on a piece of warmed flatbread. Then, generously pile on the tender pulled pork, drizzle with your desired amount of BBQ sauce, add a scoop of creamy coleslaw, and finally, top with fresh tomato slices and thinly sliced red onion. Fold or roll your flatbread and enjoy immediately!
Expert Tips for Making the Best Pulled Pork Flatbread Sandwiches
To ensure your BBQ Pulled Pork Gyros are absolutely perfect every time, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Opt for creamy coleslaw: The choice of coleslaw significantly impacts the overall flavor and texture of your pork gyro. Whether you’re preparing my homemade recipe or selecting a store-bought option, aim for a creamy version. The rich, cool creaminess of the coleslaw provides a delightful contrast to the warm, savory pulled pork and tangy BBQ sauce, balancing the entire flavor profile.
- Choose your favorite BBQ sauce: While I highly recommend my Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce for its ideal sweet and tangy characteristics, the best BBQ sauce is ultimately the one you love most. If you decide to make your own, don’t hesitate to adjust the sweetness, acidity, or spice level to perfectly match your palate. A great BBQ sauce truly brings all the components of the pulled pork gyro together.
- Warm the flatbread before serving for better flavor and texture: This simple extra step makes a world of difference! Gently warming your flatbread (like naan) makes it incredibly soft, pliable, and easier to fold around your delicious fillings. It also enhances its natural flavors and aromas. You can warm it briefly in a microwave, wrap it in foil and heat in the oven, or even lightly toast it in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side until it’s soft and slightly puffed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Traditional gyros are a Greek dish typically made with meat, usually pork or chicken (and sometimes beef or lamb), cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Thin slices are shaved off as it cooks, then served in pita bread with toppings like tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce. Our BBQ Pulled Pork Gyros offer a delicious, unconventional spin, using slow-cooked pulled pork instead of rotisserie meat, and featuring BBQ flavors instead of traditional Greek spices and sauces. It’s more of a pulled pork flatbread sandwich with gyro-inspired toppings and a distinctive BBQ twist!
For the most succulent and tender BBQ pulled pork, the best cut to use is generally a pork shoulder, often labeled as a “pork butt” or “Boston butt.” This cut is ideal because it has a higher fat content and a good amount of connective tissue. When cooked “low and slow” in a slow cooker or smoker, this fat and connective tissue break down, rendering the meat incredibly moist, flavorful, and perfectly shreddable – exactly the results you’re craving for your pulled pork gyro recipe!
If your pulled pork turns out tough or rubbery, the most common reason is that it simply hasn’t cooked long enough. Pulled pork thrives on “low and slow” cooking, a process that allows the tough connective tissues in the pork shoulder to gradually break down into gelatin. This is what creates that desired tender, juicy texture. Patience is truly key with pulled pork; resist the urge to rush it. It needs ample time to reach an internal temperature high enough (typically around 195-205°F or 90-96°C) for the collagen to fully render and the meat to become easily shreddable for your pork gyro recipe.
It’s actually quite difficult to “overcook” pulled pork in the traditional sense, especially when using a slow cooker or cooking at a low temperature. Pulled pork requires a very long cooking time to break down properly, and often, cooking it a little longer than you think can even improve its tenderness and shreddability. The only real risk of overcooking comes from letting it dry out, which can happen if cooked too long at too high a temperature without sufficient moisture. However, in a slow cooker with plenty of liquid (like broth or BBQ sauce), your pork can cook for several extra hours beyond the minimum required and still remain incredibly moist and delicious.
More Delicious BBQ Recipes To Try
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
- BBQ Marinated Chicken Kabobs
- Sweet BBQ Rub for Chicken
- One Pot BBQ Chicken and Rice
- Texas Style BBQ Sauce
Thank you so much for exploring this exciting BBQ Pulled Pork Gyro recipe! I hope it brings a burst of flavor and a fun twist to your next meal. Don’t forget to let me know what you think when you try it – your feedback means a lot!
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BBQ Pulled Pork Gyro Sandwiches
Ingredients
- Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
- Homemade Creamy Coleslaw or a store bought version you like
- BBQ Sauce of choice I like this Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce or a store bought brand you like
- Red onion
- Tomato slices
- Lettuce
- Flatbread I like to use naan
Instructions
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Follow recipe for Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork.
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While that is cooking make the coleslaw if making it homemade. Also make the BBQ sauce if making homemade.
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To assemble gyros: Place lettuce on a warmed piece of flatbread then top with pulled pork, bbq sauce, coleslaw, tomato and onion.