Pulled Pork: Best Keto Sides To Try

Pulled pork is a tasty, juicy, and tender dish that can be made in a slow cooker or instant pot. It is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways, such as in sandwiches, wraps, or on a bed of salad. Here are some low-carb keto side options that go well with pulled pork:

- Cauliflower cheese bread

- Jicama keto fries

- Keto zucchini fries

- Keto coleslaw

- Roasted vegetables (asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.)

- Keto hamburger buns

- Keto dinner rolls

- Keto cornbread

- Keto BBQ sauce

Keto-friendly sauces

There are many keto-friendly sauces that go well with pulled pork. Here are some ideas and recipes to get you started:

BBQ Sauce

A sweet and tangy BBQ sauce is a classic pairing with pulled pork, and you can easily make your own keto-friendly version. Most recipes include tomato paste, vinegar, or mayonnaise as a base, with a variety of spices for flavour. To keep it keto-friendly, use a natural low-carb sweetener like erythritol, xylitol, stevia, or monk fruit instead of sugar. You can also find store-bought keto-friendly BBQ sauces, such as Primal Kitchen or G Hughes Smokehouse Sugar-Free BBQ sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup no-sugar-added ketchup (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar substitute (such as Lakanto Golden)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional, to thicken)

Instructions:

Place all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and whisk together. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Creamy Cheese Sauce

For a rich and indulgent option, a creamy cheese sauce pairs perfectly with pulled pork. You can make a simple cheese sauce by melting your favourite cheese (such as sharp cheddar or mozzarella) in a saucepan over low heat, and adding a little milk or cream to thin it out if needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Guacamole or Avocado Salsa

Avocados are a great source of healthy fats and make a delicious addition to any meal. Try serving your pulled pork with a side of guacamole or a fresh avocado salsa. Simply mash some avocados with diced onion, tomato, jalapeno, lime juice, and cilantro for a tasty and keto-friendly salsa.

Herbed Butter

Herbed butter is a simple yet flavourful way to enhance the taste of your pulled pork. To make herbed butter, simply mix softened butter with your favourite herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, or chives. You can also add other ingredients like garlic or lemon zest for extra flavour.

Other Sauce Ideas

• Caramelized onions: Cook sliced onions slowly over low heat with a little butter or oil until they are soft and golden brown.
• Cream cheese mushroom sauce: Sauté mushrooms in butter, then add cream cheese, garlic, and herbs. Simmer until melted and combined.
• Low-carb ketchup: Make your own keto-friendly ketchup using fresh tomatoes, vinegar, sweetener, and spices.

Remember, when choosing or creating a sauce, aim for low-carb and sugar-free options to keep it keto-friendly. Enjoy experimenting with different flavours and finding your favourite combinations!

Low-carb sides

There are plenty of low-carb sides that go well with pulled pork. Here are some ideas:

Cauliflower Sides

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of low-carb dishes. Here are some cauliflower-based sides to consider:

• Cauliflower Mac and Cheese: A comforting dish that combines cauliflower with a creamy cheese sauce. You can also add pulled pork to make it a more filling meal.
• Whole Roasted Cauliflower: Cauliflower heads roasted with garlic butter sauce.
• Cauliflower Couscous: A healthy, Mediterranean-style dish.
• Cauliflower Potato Salad: A low-carb alternative to traditional potato salad.
• Cauliflower Rice: A low-carb alternative to rice, which can be served with pulled pork. For a more flavorful option, try the Curried Cauliflower Rice.

Vegetable Sides

Vegetables are a great way to add some colour and nutrients to your plate. Here are some vegetable-based sides:

• Asparagus: Try asparagus with a creamy cheese sauce.
• Broccoli: Steam or boil broccoli, but be careful not to overcook it. You can also include it in a Broccoli Cauliflower Salad.
• Brussels Sprouts: Try Creamed Brussels Sprouts with bacon and a hint of orange and garlic.
• Green Beans: These can be steamed, boiled, or roasted.

Other Sides

In addition to cauliflower and vegetable sides, here are some other low-carb options:

• Avocado Salsa: A fresh and flavourful salsa that pairs well with grilled pork chops.
• Cheesy Baked Asparagus: Asparagus baked with three types of cheese.
• Keto Dinner Rolls: Soft and pillowy dinner rolls made with mozzarella cheese dough.
• Keto Cornbread: A southern classic made with only 6 ingredients and 2.9g net carbs.
• Keto Hamburger Buns: Easy-to-make buns that won't fall apart and are perfect for serving pulled pork.
• Keto BBQ Sauce: A tangy and delicious BBQ sauce with only 1 net carb per 2 tablespoons.

Keto pulled pork mac and cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cauliflower, steamed
• 2 spring onions/scallions, sliced with bottoms and tops separated
• 6 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes for easy melting
• 1/2 cup pre-shredded/grated mozzarella
• 1 cup shredded/grated cheese (cheddar, Colby, or Monterey jack)
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup chicken stock or broth
• 1 lb keto pulled pork
• 4 tbsp keto BBQ sauce (optional)
• Butter

Method:

First, steam your cauliflower until tender and set aside. Next, melt some butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and saute the spring onion bottoms and garlic for 1-2 minutes. Add the cream cheese, mozzarella, and 3/4 of the cheddar to the skillet and mix until the cheese starts melting. Then slowly stir in the cream and broth. Continue mixing until you have a smooth sauce.

Add the cauliflower to the sauce and toss until coated. Pour the contents into a casserole pan. Top with the pulled pork and remaining cheddar. Cover the pan with foil and bake at 180C/350F for 20 minutes. Halfway through, remove the foil to brown the top. Remove from the oven, drizzle with BBQ sauce, and garnish with spring onion tops.

Tips:

• If you don't have time to steam cauliflower, use a steamable bag of frozen cauliflower or pre-cut florets.
• If you don't like BBQ sauce, or haven't made your own, you can skip it.
• You can also serve this dish deconstructed. Layer the cauliflower, cheese sauce, and pulled pork in a bowl, sprinkle with cheese, and drizzle with BBQ sauce.
• To make ahead, follow the recipe but chill the dish before baking. When ready to eat, bake at 180C/350F for 30-40 minutes.
• You can also cook this in a covered barbecue to melt the cheese.

Variations:

• For a BBQ flavour, add a few dashes of liquid smoke to the pulled pork when reheating.
• For a crunchy topping, add crushed pork rinds.
• To make it even lower in carbs, omit the cauliflower and pour the cheese sauce over the pulled pork.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving (serves 4): 603.7 calories, 9.5g carbohydrates, 40.7g protein, 45.1g fat, 612mg sodium, 866.9mg potassium, 3g fibre, 4.1g sugar, 1380.2IU vitamin A, 57.6mg vitamin C, 381.2mg calcium, 2mg iron

Keto pulled pork leftovers

Pulled pork is a versatile dish that can be used in many ways, and it's a great option for those on a keto diet as the meat itself is very low carb. Here are some ideas for using up your keto pulled pork leftovers:

Tacos

Have a make-your-own taco night and let everyone add their favourite toppings! You can even make your own almond flour tortillas.

Salad

Add your leftover pulled pork to a salad with some shredded cheese, avocado, diced tomatoes, and chipotle ranch for a tasty and healthy Southwestern-style salad.

Quesadillas

Add your leftover pulled pork to some low-carb quesadillas. You can make coconut flour tortillas or use lettuce for a sandwich wrap.

Casseroles

Pulled pork can be added to casseroles, such as a keto mac and cheese, to make a comforting and filling meal.

Stuffed Peppers

Make some pulled pork stuffed peppers by baking them with the leftover meat. They're a tasty and low-carb option as you won't even miss the rice.

Sandwiches and Wraps

Make sandwiches or wraps with your leftover pulled pork. You can use coconut flour tortillas, lettuce wraps, or low-carb bread and dinner rolls.

Appetizers

Create some simple appetizers with your leftover pulled pork. Try making tomato melt pulled pork bites, which are similar to pizza bites, or make some pulled pork sliders.

Freezing

If you have a lot of leftovers, you can always freeze your pulled pork. Divide it into portions and freeze them in ziplock bags or containers. It will last for around 6 months in the freezer, so it's a great option if you want to save some for a future date.

Slow cooker and pressure cooker options

If you're looking for a low-carb side to accompany your pulled pork, why not try one of these tasty options?

Slow Cooker Keto Pulled Pork

For a simple and convenient way to cook pulled pork, using a slow cooker is a great option. Here's a recipe that will yield tender and juicy results:

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lb pork roast (pork butt or pork shoulder)
• Spices (garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, paprika, parsley, etc.)
• Liquid (low-carb beer, chicken broth, or diet coke)

Instructions:

• Cut the pork roast into large chunks.
• Mix your chosen spices in a small bowl to create a spice rub.
• Rub the spice mixture all over the pork pieces. You can refrigerate for a few hours to let the rub set in, but it's not necessary.
• Place the pork in the slow cooker and pour in your chosen liquid—enough to provide moisture without drowning the meat.
• Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily shreddable.
• Shred the pork and stir it into the juices at the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Serve with your favourite low-carb sides!

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Keto Pulled Pork

If you're short on time, an Instant Pot or pressure cooker can drastically reduce the cooking time for your pulled pork while still yielding tender and flavourful meat. Here's a recipe to guide you:

Ingredients:

• 3-5 lb pork roast (pork butt, pork shoulder, or Boston butt)
• Spices (smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, ground mustard, cayenne pepper, etc.)
• Bacon grease, oil, or another fat for sautéing
• Chicken broth or water
• Keto BBQ sauce

Instructions:

• Cut the pork roast into large chunks.
• Dry the pork pieces with a clean cloth and season generously with salt and pepper.
• Turn on the sauté function of your Instant Pot and add bacon grease, oil, or another fat.
• Brown the pork pieces in batches, searing all sides. Remove the browned pork and set aside.
• Place all the pork back in the pot and add your chosen spices. Pour in chicken broth or water.
• Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 40-45 minutes.
• Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure naturally release for 15-20 minutes.
• Transfer the pork to a bowl and shred it with two forks.
• Add keto BBQ sauce to taste and toss to combine.
• Serve with your favourite low-carb sides!

Frequently asked questions