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There’s nothing quite like a weekend BBQ to get friends and family together and eat a variety of delicious dishes, and what better opportunity than a BBQ to serve BBQ sandwiches!
If you’re looking for BBQ sandwich ideas, you’re in the right place.
In this article, I will cover a variety of BBQ sandwich ideas. So, next time you’re hosting a BBQ, you have plenty of inspiration!
Let’s get started.
Cooking for a large group of people can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re cooking for individuals that have specific dietary requirements.
However, whether you’re cooking for meat-eaters, keto conscious, vegetarians, or vegans, there’s a recipe for absolutely everyone.
BBQ Sandwich Ideas
Braised BBQ Short Rib Sandwich
Are you looking for a rich and truly irresistible sandwich that encapsulates everything that a BBQ sandwich should include? Then you’ll die for this braised BBQ short rib sandwich.
The key with this recipe is to cook the beef ribs low and slow to produce beautifully tender meat that falls off the bones with no trouble.
The rich and sticky barbecue sauce is packed full of flavor, while the fresh slaw provides a freshness that means you truly can’t go wrong with this combination.
Brisket Grilled Cheese
When you’re looking for hearty and comforting food, it doesn’t get much better than a grilled cheese, but what about a brisket grilled cheese?
Featuring ooey and gooey cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese along with tender, slow-cooked pieces of chopped brisket, this sandwich is bound to impress your guests!
The great thing about this recipe is that a small amount of brisket goes a long way! As these sandwiches are so rich, you won’t need much brisket to take these sandwiches to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
If you like bourbon and pulled pork, you’re in for a treat with these bourbon BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.
What makes this bourbon BBQ pulled pork sandwich so special is the bourbon flavored chips that are crushed to make a one of a kind pork rub!
Following this, the pork is cooked low and slow in apple juice and bourbon for maximum flavor!
Once the meat is cooked, the meat is tossed with bourbon barbecue sauce for a truly special eating experience.
Layer in a buttery brioche bun with sliced onions, more bourbon BBQ potato chips, and dive in! It doesn’t get much more delicious than this!
Grilled Halloumi BBQ Sandwiches
Are you hosting a few vegetarians and want to offer something other than a standard veggie burger? These grilled halloumi sandwiches are perfect for the occasion.
Halloumi is wonderful to chuck on the BBQ and cooks really quickly. These sandwiches are made with hearty ciabatta rolls that have been drizzled with olive oil to crisp them up and give the sandwiches a nice crunch!
Top your sandwiches with a slice of tomato and a little drizzle of balsamic glaze to make them all that more special! Alternatively, you can top them with either green or red pesto. Delicious!
Jackfruit BBQ Sandwich
If you’re hosting some veggie or vegan guests and want to find a BBQ sandwich that is accommodating for their diet, these jackfruit BBQ sandwiches are a delicious option!
The great thing about the jackfruit in this recipe is that when pulled apart, it mimics the texture of pulled pork! The pulled jackfruit soaks up all the delicious flavor from the BBQ sauce and is so tasty, this recipe could fool any meat lover!
This particular recipe has a zingy avocado slaw that has either fresh lemon or lime juice that brings a freshness to these delicious vegan BBQ sandwiches.
Carolina-Style BBQ Sandwiches
Are you searching for a crowd-pleaser that is going to have everyone coming up for seconds? Well, these Carolina-style BBQ sandwiches are the recipe to try!
Cooked low and slow for 8 hours in apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, pepper flakes, sugar, and other ingredients, this pork isn’t short of flavor!
After the meat has been cooked until tender, and has that gorgeous melt in the mouth texture, it is then shredded and doused in homemade barbecue sauce.
While it’s more effort to make your own, once you try these sandwiches, you’ll wonder why you’ve never made your own sauce before!
The delicious BBQ pulled pork is then layered in a soft bun with a generous portion of creamy coleslaw. Now all that’s left to do is to tuck in!
Pulled Portobello BBQ Sandwiches
Have you got any mushroom fans in the house? These vegan pulled portobello BBQ sandwiches are something special.
Sweet, smoky, and spicy, there’s truly nothing better than this flavor combination!
Made with pulled portobello mushrooms and a homemade smoky bourbon barbecue sauce, this recipe is perfect for people that still want the texture of pulled pork without actually eating meat.
The great thing about this recipe is that it’s vegetarian, vegan, and can even be made gluten-free if you ensure the buns are gluten-free.
Top with coleslaw, pickles, and serve with salad or a homemade potato salad. Yummy!
Pineapple Pulled Pork Sandwiches
You must have heard of adding fruit to savory salad, but what about adding fruit to sandwiches? If you’re on board with adding fruit to your savory dishes, then these pineapple pulled pork sandwiches are for you.
As pineapple is acidic, it works to tenderize the pork and work its magic while it cooks so that the result is a tender and juicy meat that you won’t be able to get enough of.
More pineapple is caramelized in brown sugar and brings a wonderfully sweet and zingy flavor that works to lift the richness of the BBQ pulled pork. Layered on a delicious brioche or Hawaiian bun, this recipe is one that your guests will be sure to ask you about.
The wonderful thing about this recipe is that it takes minimal effort. The pork cooks low and slow in the slow cooker until it is tender enough to be pulled, meaning that you can focus on other aspects of the barbecue in the meantime!
Sweet, salty, and rich – what’s not to love about this recipe?
Grilled Chicken BBQ Sandwiches
If you’re looking for a classic chicken recipe that’s going to please everyone, these grilled chicken BBQ sandwiches are a winner.
Featuring a sticky honey barbecue sauce that is brushed onto the grilled chicken during the cooking process, you can’t go wrong with these sandwiches.
Stack your grilled chicken on soft brioche buns, fresh tomato, lettuce, and a drizzle of barbecue sauce to really complement the barbecue glaze on the chicken. Tastes like summer!
BBQ Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
When you’re in the mood for one, you can’t compete with a sloppy Joe sandwich, and this recipe is no exception.
Featuring spices such as cayenne pepper, allspice, and black pepper along with Worcestershire sauce and dark brown sugar, this recipe is oozing with flavor!
The key when making this recipe is to ensure that you toast the buns. This means that the buns can more easily hold all of that delicious meat without becoming too sloppy and soggy before you’ve had the chance to dig in!
Sloppy BBQ Chickpea Sandwiches
If you’re making sloppy Joe sandwiches, why not offer these sloppy BBQ chickpea sandwiches as a vegetarian alternative? These sandwiches are perfect for your veggie guests, and also make a nice change for many.
What makes these BBQ chickpea sandwiches unique is the addition of pineapple. Not only does this add a sweetness to the mixture, but it also provides a meatier texture that is more reminiscent of traditional sloppy Joe’s! It’s a win-win!
The chickpea and pineapple mixture is then doused in a homemade barbecue sauce that is truly to die for.
Topped with homemade coleslaw and pickles, it doesn’t get much more hearty than this.
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Sometimes, you just can’t beat a classic, and these pulled pork sandwiches are proof of that.
Seasoned to perfection with a blend of warming spices and smothered in a homemade barbecue sauce, simple food doesn’t get much more indulgent than this!
The key to this recipe is to not overcook the pork. You want it to be super tender so that it’s falling apart, but not so tender that it becomes mushy when you add it to the barbecue sauce.
When this pulled pork is paired with golden, soft brioche buns and homemade coleslaw, these sandwiches are nothing short of heavenly!
Shredded BBQ Beet Sandwich
Last, but by no means least, a shredded BBQ beet sandwich makes another excellent veggie option.
These beet sandwiches are loaded with fresh beets, cilantro, tomato, onion, yellow pepper, and avocado. However, what makes them truly special is the homemade creamy cashew cheese.
Build your sandwich as you normally would on a soft white bun, drizzle with cashew cheese, and you’re good to go!
Final Thoughts
Hopefully this article has given you plenty of inspiration for BBQ sandwiches at your next cookout.
Have fun getting creative and experimenting with flavors in the kitchen to come up with the perfect menu for your friends and family.
Good luck making some delicious BBQ sandwiches!