Trying to serve your kids an at least semi-well rounded meal? Here are the best side dishes to serve with pulled pork for kids!
If your kids are much like mine, when I ask them what they want to eat, they will yell back either CHICKEN NUGGETS or MAC N CHEESE.
The basics are king around here.
We love making pulled pork in the slow cooker and the kids – even as babies without teeth – have always loved it. However, pulled pork is not a whole meal (usually).
I serve my 1 and 3 year old in these divided silicone plates so they get 1 “main dish” and 2 sides.
One of our sides is always cut up fruit: berries, sliced apples, sauteed apples, sliced banana, mandarin oranges, something like that.
The second side is what is up in the air. For breakfast, it’s a yogurt pouch. For lunch, it’s either goldfish or chex mix. For dinner, I try for more of a side dish.
But, if you are like me, when it’s time to make food your brain goes completely blank as to what to cook.
If you are wondering what to eat with pulled pork, there are loads of possibilities!
Below I am rounding up my best ideas of what to serve with pulled pork. I will round up a general list of ideas and then keep scrolling to links to actual recipes for some great ones!
What to serve with pulled pork for kids
Here are my general favorite sides with pulled pork.
- Cut fruit
- Pickles
- Fries – my kids actually prefer sweet potato fries
- Tots
- Chex mix, pretzels, chips
- Veggie sticks
- Cheese stick or babybel cheese
- Baked carrots
- Green peas (I make frozen ones in the microwave, and add butter)
- Potatoes any way – mashed potato, smashed, baked
- Mac n cheese
- Corn
- Applesauce
If you are wondering what goes with pulled pork for adults, consider:
- Cole slaw
- Baked beans
- Green salad
- Green beans
- Grain salad like cous cous, quinoa, etc
- Broccoli
- Sautéed spinach
- Brussel sprouts
(And if your kids will eat those things, more power to you! Mine will not.)
These are great pulled pork sides for a party!
You can serve pulled pork by itself or as sandwiches, nachos or tacos. Lots of possibilities!
Here are some mouth watering recipes for pulled pork sides!
Best side dishes to serve with pulled pork for kids
Here are some great ideas for the best side dishes to serve with pulled pork for kids!
This Instant Pot creamed corn is seriously so easy to make. It is a sweet and creamy side dish that goes great with pulled pork.
This is a fast and reliable crowd-pleasing side dish that happily pairs well with other classic summer entrees. It’s easy to make with ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
Hot & crispy fries are the ultimate kid-favorite side for pulled pork. There is nothing better than Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle Fries for a great meal combination.
Making Frozen Garlic Bread in Air Fryer is so quick and easy! The perfect side dish for all your favorite meals, it goes from frozen to table in less than 10 minutes and turns out perfectly cooked every time.
Looking for a simple and comforting side dish you can quickly whip up for as a side for any meal? This dump and start garlic butter Instant Pot Red Potatoes ticks all the boxes and is ready in less than 25 minutes!
Looking for the best kid-friendly side dish? This Cheesy Broccoli recipe takes minutes to put together and is a delicious way to eat your veggies! After all, everything is better when it’s covered in cheese sauce.
These Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries are perfectly seasoned, full of flavor, and so easy to make! Healthier than deep-fried, these deliciously crispy sweet potato fries are slightly sweet, a little salty, are a go-to recipe anytime for craving restaurant-quality fries from the comfort of your own home.
These are the ultimate roasted garlic mashed potatoes made easy in an instant pot. Made with yukon gold potatoes, these creamy mashed potatoes are made extra delicious with a big dollop of sour cream.
This saucy cheesy pizza bread recipe is a fun appetizer, snack or dinner for the family. Homemade italian bread dough is braided with marinara, seasonings and cheese. Add in your favorite pizza toppings for an extra special treat!
Air fryer tater tot’s are a great side dish or can be loaded with pulled pork on top for nachos!
These baked beans are smokey and sweet and, using the pressure cooking magic of the Instant Pot, they're an easy side dish for your summer backyard barbecues that blow away canned beans.
Baked macaroni and cheese is a comfort food classic. It's creamy and super cheesy and topped with a crispy golden brown panko crumb topping.
Welcome to the lightest, crispiest zucchini fries made with an addictive tempura batter. Make them as a quick and easy appetizer to share, or an interesting side dish.
This sweet potato bake is sweet, spiced, and delicious. A perfect little side dish for pulled pork the kids will love.
These homemade corn nuggets are a tasty, vegetarian substitute for chicken nuggets!
Grilled Corn is a fast and easy summer recipe that you can make on the grill while barbecuing for the family.
Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce – homemade applesauce is super easy to make in your slow cooker, and only requires four simple ingredients! This is the perfect snack or treat, and tastes amazing when it’s warm!
See all of my favorite kids side dishes:
- The best side dishes to serve with pizza for kids
- Healthy sides for pizza
- The best side dishes to serve with mac and cheese for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with chicken nuggets for kids
- What to serve with chicken nuggets for adults
- The best side dishes to serve with cheeseburgers for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with pulled pork for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with tacos for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with hot dogs for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with fish sticks for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with chicken wings for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with chicken burgers for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with pasta for kids
- The best side dishes to serve with spaghetti for kids
- The best breakfast side dishes for kids
Free printable side dish planner!
Make sure to download our free printable side dish planner! This checklist gives you ideas for side dishes for your kids every day of the week!
What’s your favorite pulled pork side dish?
Thanks for reading!
Hey there, I’m Morgan, the creative mind behind CelebratingWithKids.com! As a parent of two lively little ones, I’ve made it my mission to turn ordinary days into extraordinary adventures, sharing playful activities, thoughtful toy reviews, and delightful printables to help families celebrate every moment together. 🎉👨👩👧👦🎈