This recipe was inspired by Michelle at One Ordinary Day. I’ve made this for dinner several times since my first attempt. I actually bribed the kids to try the meat by promising them some root beer to drink if they did. They didn’t like it but that’s okay. All I want them to do is try new things. They aren’t going to like everything. The last time I made these I had run out of bottled barbecue sauce so I threw some together and I was very pleased with the results.
Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches
(adapted from One Ordinary Day)
- 1 lb pork tenderloin
- 1 can root beer
For the barbecue sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tbsp molasses
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (or A-1 steak sauce)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
Trim the pork tenderloin and cut into 2-inch pieces. Place pork in a medium saucepan and pour root beer over it. Bring to boil over medium-high heat; then reduce to low and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until meat is cooked throughout.
While the meat is cooking prepare the barbecue sauce. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to boil. Keep warm until the meat is cooked.
Once the meat is cooked remove from the pan and shred with two forks. Discard the root beer and place the shredded pork into the barbecue sauce stirring to coat the meat thoroughly.
Serve meat heaped on a toasted bun. Makes 4 sandwiches. Check out Michelle’s recipe for broccoli slaw that goes well with these sandwiches.
Oh, now I want some! : ) My daughter wouldn’t eat it either!
I’ll have to try this. I just made a 6 1/2 hour slow cooked Porchetta last week and it was phenomenal! I like the root beer addition. Thanks for sharing.
My grandparents lived in Virginia, but my grandpa was from Eastern North Carolina and made the best pulled pork sandwiches I’ve ever had – no bbq sauce though, just vinegar, crushed red pepper and hot sauce – you needed the coleslaw on top to balance out the heat.
I’ll have to give this one a try! 😀
Kids are so picky! That looks so homey and delicious. Your BBQ sauce is definitely something I need to make!
I love pulled pork sandwiches! But how root beery are these…not a huge fan.
Actually not very root beery at all. I think you could probably use cola as a substitute.