Brioche buns are my go-to bun for pulled pork sandwiches. This bun is fantastic for pork because it has a slightly sweet taste and can support a lot of meat without falling apart.
There are many delicious ways to eat pulled pork, including chilis, pies, and so on. That said, the most popular way to enjoy this delicious meal is to make it into a sandwich. If you’re making a pulled pork sandwich, the buns you use can elevate or worsen your eating experience. For this reason, it’s crucial to select the best pulled pork buns available.
So, if you’re wondering about the best buns to use, you’ve come to the right place. Continue reading to find out the ten best buns for pulled pork.
Ten Best Buns for Pulled Pork
Let’s review the ten best buns for pulled pork:
1. Brioche Bun
The flavor of brioche buns is rich, buttery, and somewhat sweet. These buns have a shiny golden brown exterior and a fluffy interior.
Brioche buns are perfect for pulled pork sandwiches. A brioche bun contains the perfect amount of sugar, which gives it a light sweetness that pairs well with the savory flavor of your pork. That’s why brioche buns are my favorite buns to use and, in my opinion, the best buns you can use for your pulled pork sandwich.
2. Naan Bread
Naan is a flatbread that works great for pulled pork sandwiches. The naan bread isn’t technically a bun but can serve as an alternative to buns. Because the bread is flat, you can stuff a lot of pulled pork inside for a more filling meal. This bread has a bland flavor that complements the taste of the pork.
3. Potato Bun
Potato buns, also known as potato rolls, are soft and sweet, but their flavor is so muted that the flavor of the pork really pops. These potato buns are also similar to a typical hamburger bun, but they are much softer. I particularly love how potato buns absorb the BBQ sauce and hold up when eaten. Yum!
4. Hamburger Bun
In the event that you can’t get any of the options we’ve listed, you can always buy hamburger buns from a grocery store. Bear in mind that hamburger buns tend to be small, so they might not be as filling unless you prepare more than one sandwich.
5. Kaiser Rolls
Kaiser rolls are another fantastic choice for pulled pork sandwiches. These Kaiser rolls may have sesame or poppy seeds sprinkled on top of their crusty skin. Moreover, the interior is fluffy and has a moderate flavor that pairs well with pork and other fillings.
Kaiser rolls are also larger than the regular hamburger bun, which is great for those with a huge appetite. All that extra space allows you to stack a lot of pulled pork and your favorite toppings.
6. King’s Hawaiian Sweet Buns
You should definitely give King Hawaiian’s Sweet Buns a try if you haven’t already. They are delightfully soft, fluffy, buttery, and sweet. Although they come in the standard bun size, I actually like the slider size, especially for cookouts.
Sliders are smaller portion sizes and a great choice for kids and people with a little appetite. The smaller size also means the bun is easier to hold as you munch on it.
7. Ciabatta Bread
Ciabatta bread has a firm, chewy exterior, and a light interior. Given that ciabatta is produced with wheat flour, salt, olive oil, yeast, and water, the bread has a bland taste.
Slices of ciabatta bread can hold lots of BBQ sauce and pork without falling apart. The pulled pork sandwich’s crispy exterior makes it easy to handle while eating, and the bland flavor lets you appreciate all of its flavors.
8. Sourdough
As the name implies, sourdough bread has a sour taste with a fantastic punch of flavors. The crispy, chewy, and flavorful slices of this bread are perfect for open-faced pulled pork sandwiches.
The entire loaf can be used to make a huge sandwich, or you can use these pieces to make a regular one. When picking sourdough bread, I recommend buns that are 1 inch thick for the best savory experience.
9. Pretzel Buns
Pretzel buns are a great option for pulled pork because of their mild flavor and sturdy, chewy crust, which can absorb the sauce and juices of the pork. The mild flavor works well with all pulled pork recipes because it doesn’t overpower the pork’s overall flavor.
10. French Bread
Although French bread is an excellent alternative to ciabatta, it is a little chewier and less moist. The improved flavor adds another element that makes the sandwich more tasty.
Because of the firmer surface, the bread can be used in recipes for sauces and fillings and in open-faced sandwiches. Overall, it is an excellent bun for sandwiches with pulled pork or any other meat.
How to Keep Buns Fresh?
Bread can quickly dry out if left unattended. So, wrap the buns in aluminum foil to ensure no areas of your buns are exposed. If you’re making the buns yourself, allow the handmade buns to completely cool before storing them. Another factor to consider when keeping buns fresh is where you keep them. You can store them at room temperature for up to 2-4 days before they start losing freshness.
You can also store buns in the fridge, for up to 14 days, and in the the freezer for 3 months, as long as you store them properly. So, make sure each bun is firmly wrapped in tin foil before placing it in a freezer-safe bag.
When you’re ready to use the buns, take them out of the freezer and place them on a baking rack to gradually thaw to room temperature.
How to Choose the Best Buns for Pulled Pork?
Traditional pulled pork recipes work just fine with regular hamburger buns, but they can taste even better when served on brioche or potato buns, which have a subtle, sweet flavor.
For even spicier pulled pork sandwiches, naan bread and Kaiser rolls are fantastic options because they have a neutral flavor with little sourness or sweetness. Sourdough buns, on the other hand, are perfect for sweet pulled pork because the sourness of the bun complements the pork’s flavor.
Ciabatta buns are tough and chewy, so they work well for open-faced pulled pork sandwich recipes. It’s important to use tough bread for open-faced sandwiches because the bread can absorb the sauce and pulled pork without falling apart.
Consider both the features of the bun and the recipe for your pulled pork when choosing the best buns for your sandwich. This way, you can create a delicious, satisfying combo that is easy to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I Toast the Buns for Pulled Pork?
In my opinion, it’s best to toast the buns you use for a pulled pork sandwich. Buns that have been toasted help prevent the inside of the bun from absorbing excess liquid from the sauce and meat juices. Additionally, toasting the bun produces a delectable crunch.
Bear in mind that toasted buns may be harder to chew, depending on the bun you use. So, if you’re using tougher buns like the Ciabatta bun, it’s best to lightly toast them or not toast them at all.
2. What Do I Serve With Pulled Pork Sandwiches?
There are several delicious sides that go well with pulled pork sandwiches. You can eat pulled pork sandwiches with crispy fries on the side. Coleslaw also tastes delicious as a filling or a side. The light creaminess of the salad perfectly complements the savory flavor of the pork. If you have pulled pork and no buns left, you can always add the shredded pork to enchiladas and tortilla wraps.
Conclusion
We’ve come to the end of today’s article. Even though brioche buns are my favorite, you won’t regret using any of these best buns for pulled pork. So, what are you waiting for? Make your pick out of the ten best buns for pulled pork and start stuffing your sandwich!