For a Southern-themed dinner or for something a little more off the beaten track, Tennessee pulled pork sandwiches are ideal for those who want to experience that finger-lickin’ Southern taste.

Pulled pork is a signature Southern barbecue food, stretching back to the days of the early colonies. Upon their arrival, colonials brought with them a variety of livestock including chickens, cattle and pigs. The pigs in particular were undomesticated and left to flourish in the wild. Wild pigs, commonly known as hogs, became the source for barbecued pork among Southerners.

The name behind pulled pork is derived from the method in which it is prepared after cooking. Once cooked, the pork is pulled apart into shreds either by fork or by hand. Served in Southern fashion with mashed potatoes, gravy and steamed vegetables, pulled pork is usually served as sandwich filling but may also be used as a main course dish. All in all, pulled pork has many different possibilities and does not require much skill to prepare.

Southern food is known for possessing the prominent characteristic of being a go-to filling and flavorful comfort food of many. Being no exception, the Tennessee pulled pork sandwich is the epitome of the ultimate meat lover’s sandwich. The combination of onions, garlic, pork and barbecue sauce makes for a savory, juicy sandwich that is bound to drip all over your shirt. Remember to bring out the stain remover and plenty of napkins for this piled-high meat sandwich.

This recipe is adapted from simplyrecipes.com.

Pulled pork sandwiches

Servings: 7

1 large onion, chopped

6 garlic cloves

1 pickled jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped

2 teaspoons chipotle chile powder

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 tablespoon Dijon mustard

¾ cup distilled white vinegar

1 teaspoon paprika

1/3 cup ketchup

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

¼ cup light brown sugar

1 bay leaf

Salt

3 pounds pork roast, trimmed of excess fat

Hamburger buns

Begin by collecting all sauce ingredients, including garlic, pepper, chile powder, tomato paste, mustard, white vinegar, paprika, ketchup, sugar, salt, onion and Worcestershire sauce. Combine in a blender until mixed thoroughly and smooth. For a more flavorful taste, marinate pork in freshly blended sauce for one to three hours.

Next, combine sauce, pork roast, bay leaf and four cups of water in pan and bring to boil. Bring pan to simmer and allow nearly two hours in pan to cook while stirring the ingredients and turning the meat over recurrently. The Meat is ready when it easily comes apart with a prick of a fork.

When the meat is ready, remove from heat and allow to cool, about 10-15 minutes. Once cooled, remove pork and place on a separate plate for shredding. Once the pork has been shredded, place pan with sauce back on medium heat. Raise heat to boil sauce, and continue boiling until sauce has reduced by approximately two-thirds. Once sauce has reduced, add in shredded pork. Stir frequently, while adding in pinches of salt until satisfied to taste. Once satisfied with the flavor, remove bay leaf from pan and begin serving. For best results, serve with crispy French fries or a side of spinach salad.

While somewhat lengthy in total cook time, the Tennessee pulled pork sandwich represents a simple and decadent aroma of Southern comfort food. Whether serving for a special dinner, with friends at a party, or for just an ordinary evening, these juicy, tender pulled pork sandwiches will be a hit and keep your stained-shirt buddies coming back for seconds.

Cody Powell-McClintick can be reached at [email protected]