If you LOVE BBQ as much as I do, you will love this pulled pork sweet potato sandwich recipe. Not only is it easy to make, but your pulled pork sweet potato sandwiches will disappear from your dinner table in minutes.
Who needs shredded BBQ pork when you can make a vegan pulled pork sweet potato sandwich? At my house, everyone loves BBQ, anything vegan, that is. I enjoy creating a variety of BBQ sauces and vegetables to transform into BBQ dishes. So today, I decided to try a pulled pork sweet potato recipe, and although I was a little apprehensive about how the texture would work out, the results were terrific.
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Since I like to meal prep in advance, I make pulled pork sweet potato recipe in advance, and the day I serve it, I heat it to make sandwiches. Or, make pulled pork sweet potato sandwiches in 20 minutes or less with very few ingredients on the spot. Make this recipe in a skillet or on a sheet pan.
Vegan Pulled Pork Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes: Shredded sweet potatoes are transformed into vegan pulled pork in a skillet or sheet pan.
- White Onion: White onion is cooked with sweet potatoes and caramelized to perfection.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder flavors the potatoes and the onions.
- Fresh Ground Pepper/Sea Salt: A pinch of salt and pepper enhances the flavors in the recipe.
- Vegetable Broth: A small amount of vegetable broth is tossed into teh sweet potato mixture before it is cooked.
Vegan Pulled Pork Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of sweet potatoes, use white potatoes or carrots.
- Yellow onions substitute white onions in recipes.
- Use garlic salt and skip the pinch of salt in the ingredient list.
BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- Organic Tomato Sauce: The tomato sauce is the base of the BBQ sauce.
- Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce: The chipotle pepper in Adobo sauce is found in a can or jar in the Mexican section of the grocery store. You only need one. They are very spicy, so cut the pepper in half if you do not like spicy food. Or opt for the paprika substitution below.
- Grape Jelly: Grape jelly sweetens the sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar supplies the acidity of the BBQ sauce.
BBQ Sauce Ingredient Substitutions
- Choose your favorite bottled BBQ sauce instead of making homemade sauce.
- Use canned, diced tomatoes and blend ina blender.
- For recipes where there is already tomato, replacing the chipotle with smoked paprika is often enough. Start with 1-2 teaspoons smoked paprika and add more as needed. If you also want some heat, any fresh or dried chili peppers can be added to taste.
- Substitute the grape jelly with 2 dates.
- White vinegar substitutes apple cider vinegar in recipes.
How to Make the BBQ Sauce
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Transfer the BBQ sauce to a small saucepan to heat.
How to Make Vegan Pulled Sweet Potatoes
- Using a food processor shredding blade, shred three large sweet potatoes with the skins on.
- Slice the onions into thin strips
- Transfer the shred sweet potatoes and onions to a large bowl.
- Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Add a Tablespoon or 2 of vegetable broth.
Cooking Options
Skillet Option
- Add the sweet potato mixture to a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- You may need to add a small amount of vegetable broth if the ingredients start to stick to the pan, but only a tiny amount.
- Allow to cook for several minutes before flipping the potatoes over.
- Continue flattening the shredded potatoes in the skillet to allow you to cook thoroughly before flipping over.
- I flipped the potatoes 4 times in 15 minutes until onions and potatoes were cooked through and browned.
- Once the potatoes and onions are browned, add ½ cup of BBQ sauce and stir.
- Add more sauce if desired. It only needs to light coating.
- Remove from the heat.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Sheet Pan Option
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Place the sweet potato mixture on the sheet pan in a thin layer. Use two pans if necessary.
- Cook for 20 minutes, flipping the potatoes half way through cooking.
- Turn the broiler on high for crispier results, and cook for 2 additional minutes.
- Transfer the cooked sweet potato mixture to a bowl.
- Add ½ cup sauce or more if desired.
- Toss to combine.
Serving Suggestions
I topped the sandwiches with vegan pineapple coleslaw I had prepared earlier in the day, and dinner was served. Since pineapple and BBQ go together, feel free to top your sandwich with whatever you enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Regarding micronutrients, sweet potatoes are the champions in vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, iron, and phosphorus.
Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and antioxidants, which protect your body from high radical damage and promote a healthy gut and brain.
Although sweet, sweet potatoes are considered low on the glycemic index.
Tips
- Be patient while the potatoes are cooking. Stirring too often makes them mushy. Allow them to cook, then flip them, allow them to cook, etc.
- The same is true of the sheet pan option.
- Wait to add the sauce after the potatoes are done cooking.
- If including the pineapple coleslaw, make it in advance to allow the flavors to enhance in the refrigerator.
- Use less chipotle with Adobo if sensitive to spicy foods (cut it in half) or opt for using the paprika substitute.
- To reheat leftovers, microwave or bake in a 350 degrees oven for 20 minutes.
- Store the vegan pulled pork in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
This healthy vegan pulled pork sweet potato sandwich is BBQ delicious! If you love BBQ, you have to try it!
Suggested Easy Vegan Sandwich Recipes!
If you love this pulled pork sweet potato sandwich recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you.
📖 Recipe
Pulled Pork Sweet Potato Sandwich
Ingredients
Pulled Pork Sweet Potatoes:
- 3 large Sweet Potatoes
- 1 White Onion diced
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 1 pinch Fresh Ground Pepper
- 1 pinch Sea Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Broth
BBQ Sauce:
- 15 ounces Organic Tomato Sauce
- 1 Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Grape Jelly
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
Other Ingredients
- 12 whole grain buns
- 1 recipe pineapple coleslaw
Instructions
Sweet Potato Pulled Pork
- Using a food processor shredding blade, shred three large sweet potatoes with the skins on.
- Slice the onions into thin strips
- Transfer the shred sweet potatoes and onions to a large bowl.
- Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Add a Tablespoon or 2 of vegetable broth.
- Toss together.
BBQ Sauce
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Transfer the BBQ sauce to a small saucepan to heat.
Cooking Options
Skillet Option
- Add the sweet potato mixture to a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- You may need to add a small amount of vegetable broth if the ingredients start to stick to the pan, but only a tiny amount.
- Allow to cook for several minutes before flipping the potatoes over.
- Continue flattening the shredded potatoes in the skillet to allow you to cook thoroughly before flipping over.
- I flipped the potatoes 4 times in 15 minutes until onions and potatoes were cooked through and browned.
- Once the potatoes and onions are browned, add ½ cup of BBQ sauce and stir.
- Add more sauce if desired. It only needs to light coating.
- Remove from the heat.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Sheet Pan Option
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Place the sweet potato mixture on the sheet pan in a thin layer. Use two pans if necessary.
- Cook for 20 minutes, flipping the potatoes half way through cooking.
- Turn the broiler on high for crispier results, and cook for 2 additional minutes.
- Transfer the cooked sweet potato mixture to a bowl.
- Add ½ cup sauce or more if desired.
- Toss to combine.
Making the Sweet Potato Sandwich
- Toast the buns or warm them in the microwave for 20 seconds for softer buns.
- Add a generous amount of pulled BQ sweet potatoes.
- Top with pineapple coleslaw or serve on the side.
Video
Notes
- Be patient while the potatoes are cooking. Stirring too often makes them mushy. Allow them to cook, then flip them, allow them to cook, etc.
- The same is true of the sheet pan option.
- Wait to add the sauce after the potatoes are done cooking.
- If including the pineapple coleslaw, make it in advance to allow the flavors to enhance in the refrigerator.
- Use less chipotle with Adobo if sensitive to spicy foods (cut it in half), or opt for using the paprika substitute.
- To reheat leftovers, microwave or bake in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes.
- Store the vegan pulled pork in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Paula M
Made this last night and having left-overs tonight if that tells you anything. It was delicious. That pineapple slaw is off-the-charts! Can't believe how much the sweet potatoes tasted like pork. In fact, made oven fries and was thinking that's waaaaaay too many potatoes w/the sweet and russets...but it wasn't. They were both so different. Thanks for all your hard work in developing these recipes and sharing with us. The photography on this food is so inviting too.
Kathy Carmichael
HI Paula, yay! I'm so glad you liked it. There is something about the pineapple with the smokey BBQ flavor! There's no such thing as too many potatoes hahaha. Thank you for taking the time to rate the recipe and comment. I really appreciate it.
Jane
Made this yesterday. Truly delicious.. We loved it.
How much grated sweet potato Is in 3 large sweet potatos? It would be helpful to know that. Also, what size is a serving: 1\2 cup or 1 cup. That information makes recipes more user friendly.
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Jane, I stated three large as a guide because sweet potatoes are so many different shapes and sizes. The recipe is so easy that I add more BBQ sauce if you end up with too much sweet potato. The next time I make it, I will precisely measure the sweet potatoes for more clarification. Thank you for the suggestion. I appreciate it.
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Jane, I stated three large as a guide because sweet potatoes are so many different shapes and sizes. The recipe is so easy that I add more BBQ sauce if you end up with too much sweet potato. The next time I make it, I will precisely measure the sweet potatoes for more clarification. Thank you for the suggestion. I appreciate it.
Susan
I made this last night, and it was so so good! It was kind of an experiment, I wasn't sure how it would taste, but I loved it, and will make again soon!
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Susan, I did it as an experiment, too, and I was also surprised by how good it was. My husband was so funny...he took one bite raved about it, and asked if he could have another sandwich. hahah
Louise Cyr
Hello, thank you for your amazing recipe.
One question?
Only 4 buns and it’s for 12 servings?
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Louise, it should say 12 buns. There are always leftovers. I just made it for 4 people. I wasn't thinking. Thank you for letting me know. The coleslaw serves that many people also if used as a topping rather than an entree.
Kandy
Would love to print the recipe but when hitting "print" it just brings up the whole article. Tried to copy what I wanted and print selection and it doesn't allow this. It just takes away the print format. This looks like a great recipe and would just love to print it.
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Kandy, sorry for the technical difficulty. I put a request in to have it fixed. They are working on it. Sorry for the inconvenience. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Elaine
I think you left out when to add the seasonings ... so I added them to the onions before adding the sweet potatoes.
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Elaine, you are right; it looks like I overlooked that. You are right; add the seasoning after the sweet potatoes. Thank you for letting me know. I appreciate it. Sorry for the inconvenience. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Elaine
Just finished making and eating these and they are WONDERFUL. If you didn't know and they looked a bit darker, you'd think you were eating pulled pork!
I think I'm going to make 'patties' out of the leftovers and freeze them.
Sue
How do you increase the protein in this?
Kathy Carmichael
You could add tofu or tempeh to add more protein. Orr you could top with spinach as well.
Michele Borowsky
Going to try this today. Looks delicious. Can it be frozen? Thanks
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Michele! Yes, it can be frozen. I recommend, though, when you defrost it, to make sure you allow it to thaw all the way throw before reheating so it doesn't get soggy. Let me know if you like it. Have a great day!
Mary Carter
Thanks-I might have to try them. I love sweet potatoes but my husband doesn't, or at least I don't think he has tried them and I'm not sure he would try them, even if he does love pulled-pork sandwiches. I might have to try making them in a smaller amount first.
Kathy Carmichael
I don't like sweet potatoes at all, and I loved them. I made them for my husband because he likes them. I was surprised I liked them. Let me know how it goes.
Mary Carter
Why does the recipe call for 3 sweet potatoes but the direction say to shred only 2 of them? What do you do with the other one?
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Mary, it was a typo. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it.