Crockpot Pulled Pork + Beer Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.
I’m so ready to ring in 2013.
I have champagne and glittery tights and in about eight hours, I’m going to have HUGE hair. Huge. No really. Huge. I have a $33 bottle of hairspray to prove it.
Oh and I have pork. Seriously… 2013, bring it on.
Could a better recipe more perfectly wrap up 2012 on this wee blog? I think not. If I was obsessed with anything this year (and let’s be honest, I’m obsessed with EVERYTHING… I know you’re hoping that my resolution is to stop using the word “obsessed.” For the third year in a row.), it was surely grilled cheese sandwiches. It started with the whole fruit and herb thing and then even morphed into… vegetables.
I must have had an off week.
So I don’t know why people eat pork on New Year’s – I hear it’s good luck or something like that? – but I eat pork all the time. Obviously. all.the.time. I wanted to do something slightly different than just a plain old sandwich or slider. Which is where the whole melty beer cheese thing comes in. And what’s better than buttery, crunchy, golden grainy bread? Nothing. That’s what.
The best thing about this “recipe” is that you can totally just use what you have. Use whatever pork you have leftover; whatever pork you hijacked from your parent’s house in order to not have to cook for the next four days. You can even use whatever cheese is in your fridge. The only other things you really need are bread and beer, and well… if you’re reading this I’m guessing you most likely are in possession of such necessities.
That’s why we’re friends.
Crockpot Pulled Pork + Beer Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Ingredients
pulled pork
- 1 (6 pound) pork butt/shoulder (mine was bone-in)
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 12 ounces of beer
- 32 ounces of barbecue sauce + additional for drizzling
grilled cheese sandwiches
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2/3 cup beer
- 1/3 cup milk
- 6 ounces freshly grated white cheddar cheese
- 8 slices slices whole grain bread
- softened butter for spreading
Instructions
for pork:
- Optional but yields the best result: heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add about 1-2 tablespoons olive oil. Sear the pork on every side (about 2-3 minutes per side) until golden brown before adding to the crockpot.
- Add pork to crockpot with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Add beer and 24 ounces of barbecue sauce. Cook on low for 12 hours, tossing once or twice if desired. After 8 hours, shred pork with forks or kitchen tongs and add remaining barbecue sauce. Toss pork to coat and let sit for 20-30 minutes before serving to absorb everything. Remove bone (if bone-in) before serving.
- This makes a ton of pork and can be made well ahead of time and also frozen afterwards!
for sandwiches:
- To make the beer cheese sauce, heat a small saucepan over medium heat and add butter. Once sizzling, whisk in flour and stir for 1-2 minutes until golden and fragrant and bubbly. Add in beer and milk, whisking well to combine, then reduce heat to low and add cheese, stirring until totally melted and smooth. Keep over low heat and stir every few minutes while assembling sandwiches.
- Heat an electric skillet or griddle over medium heat. Butter the outside sides of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices butter-side down on the skillet, then top with a few handfuls of pulled pork. Cover in cheese sauce, then top with the other slices or bread, butter-side up. I cooked these grilled cheeses a lot quicker than the others I usually make since the cheese is already melted. As long as the pork and cheese sauce is warm, cook these until each side is deeply golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately!
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!
Do it up big tonight, friends! I’m talking sweatpants… couches… the works.
120 Comments on “Crockpot Pulled Pork + Beer Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.”
I love all the gooey melted cheese! And all the best to you in 2013!!! Happy New Year, Jessica!
Happy New Years!!! Your sandwich looks incredible! I hope you show pictures of your big hair!!! Have fun!!!
Daaaang, Jessica – you have done it again! Happy New Years to you and your huge hair :)
How do you put everything I hold so dear in one sandwich?! LOVE. Hope you have a great New Year’s Eve!!
Wha? Huh? Oh my gosh this looks absolutely decadent and delicious! You have ended the year with a bang that’s for sure. :-)
Happy New Year Jess!
It’s 843am and I need pork and cheese now. Looks great! Happy New Year!
Ugh, feed me…this is serious NYE food!
Omg bbq sauce and cheese where have I been? Have you heard of eating black eyed peas, greens, and cornbread for new years luck? My friend put me on that. Happy New Year Jessica!!
Looks yummy!!! Yes-please post pics of your big hair! Happy New Years!!!
Well, Hello 2013. You are looking mighty fine
I fell in in love with your blog big time this year! Can’t wait to see what 2013 brings :) Happy New Year!
Oh yummmm…if I come over, will you make me one, please? This looks mouth-watering delicious. I am so hungry now!
This looks To Die For! Happy New Year!
That sandwich looks insanely good! Happy New Year!
Wouldn’t it be my luck that my husband and brother decide that they’re going to start my new kitchen …TOMORROW! What am I going to do,I need to make all of your Delicious edibles. Everything has to be out of the kitchen by the days end!!!!! I am down to a toaster oven ,microwave and a coffee maker which I managed to stuff into the dining room. Well it will be definitely worth it when it’s done. I’m going to my mothers to make this sandwich today! One more load of pots to go.
Seriously brilliant – I’m pretty sure if I made these for the boyfriend, I’d have a proposal by next week.
Yep, I’m eating this. In my glittey tights. Right before I go out. Bad decision? I think not!
I wish I had this lunch today!! Wow that looks good!!! =)
Happy New Year!
Ergo – Blog
I can’t think of any better way to open the new year. This sandwich turns me on. I mean, sexually. Like, I NEEEEED this.
I change my mind. Hibernation mission grilled cheese pork sandwiches, FOREVAARRRRRR.
LOL I love your last comment about the couches and sweats Jess! I can picture myself doing just that …. I hope you’ve got a fancy pair of heels to kick back in (and I’m sure you do, judging by the pic you posted in Instagram the other day!)
Pork is good luck? Yeah. I knew that. Its why I eat bacon all day long, every day.
This is off the hook! For reals…you managed to get booze in my grilled cheese??! You are winning at 2012. Hope you show 2013 who’s boss!
Perfect for the ballgames tomorrow!
WHHHAAAATTT!? this looks so freaking good!!! Happy New Year Jessica!
Thank for this fabulous year of good and delicious food! You are awesome. Take care and Haopy New Year!!!
Oh my. I have a love affair with both pulled pork and grilled cheese…and beer cheese sounds like an amazing food. :D
My mouth is watering! Beer cheese sauce over barbecue soaked pork! Gah!
Thank you for this recipe. Awesome sauce!! Now about this $33 bottle of hairspray…what, pray tell, is the product??
Just got done sampling the canoli tart I made for a party tonight and now I’m mad I have the rest of the menu already figured out or I would have made these sandwiches too…they look delicious! I’m a little obsessed with cheese sandwiches too and I have the luxury of working from home where I can have a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch whenever I want! Happy New Year!
That sandwhich looks amazing! I can’t wait to see pictures of your HUGE hair. Cheers to a happy and exciting 2013!
Is it horrible that I want to just straight up DRINK that cheese sauce? And I don’t even like beer… there’s a scene at the end of Christina Aguilera’s music video for “Not Myself Tonight” where she pours this black paint stuff on herself… yeah, I wanna do that.
oh, HELLS YES pork and cheese and grilled. Happy, Happy New Year!
Anything with beer wins me over! Happy New Year!
xo
Oh. Heck. Yeah.
Happy New Year!!! I have big plans, making both your goat cheese and cupcake fondue recipes. I love any word that illustrates how over the top I am about something. Obsessed, mortified, stalkerish are all going to remain in my vocabulary during 2013. I’m anti-change so it’s best you just keep on using obsessed. Also my assumption was that I’d be able to see your big hair via Instagram since we’re friends like that but apparently I was wrong.
we always had pork on New Year’s Day growing up, but we had pork and sauerkraut – I think maybe cabbage is good luck? Who knows! I’ll gladly trade out the sauerkraut for this masterpiece ;)
Picking myself up all of the floor now. BEER cheese grilled sandwiches?!?! With pork? Oh my word. We’re having pork tenderloin tonight. I’m considering not letting anyone eat it, so that I can make these instead.
PS…need a pic of the big hair! :) We’re staying in, but I’m thinking…sparkly top + yoga pants?!?
Happy New Year! *mwah*
That looks fantastic! Happy New Year!
I think I am staying in tonight and going to dine on grilled cheese pork sandwiches with a glass of champagne and my stretchy pants! Bring on 2013! happy new year!
Oh no you didn’t. I’ve made your Crockpot beer chicken before so I can only imagine how great the pork is… AND beer cheese? Just send me straight on into heaven!
Low & behold I have homemade beer cheese thanks to mama. That sandwich is gonna happen! But, for tomorrow collard greens, hoppin john, & cornbread for tomorrow for good luck.
Y.U.M! OMG I can’t wait to make this. I made bread today: http://lovebeerlovefood.com/you-can-make-magazine-worthy-bread-seriously/ and this sandwich would be the perfect fixings with it….. Nom nom nom. I heart beer.
This looks beautiful. Do people really eat pork at New Year, I didnt know that. Anywayz your sandwiches look too delicious. Happy New Year
I need!
Girl I want to see that big hair! I hope you had a blast last night! And with any luck you have some leftover pork to ease you off your hangover.
Happy Happy New Year! What a decadent way to start this year right! Forget those detoxes and indulge in this!
These look terrific!! Thanks for sharing.
Is it weird that I know we would be friends in real life if we ever met in real life? That’s probably weird. The Internet does that. But anyway, the point is that I love your blog, and I love these sandwiches, and I love glittery tights and big hair and happy 2013! Can’t wait to see what you come up with this year! :)
This looks like my dinner for New Years Day! And isn’t pork good luck supposedly for the new year?