Homemade McRib Sandwich
The McRib-style sandwich features tender boneless pork coated in smoky barbecue sauce, served on a soft hoagie-style bun with sliced onions and dill pickles.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours (or 35 minutes with an Instant Pot)
Total Time: About 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Pork
- 2 lbs (900 g) boneless pork shoulder or country-style pork ribs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup apple juice
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp liquid smoke (optional)
For the Sandwiches
- 4 soft hoagie rolls or sub buns
- ½ cup extra barbecue sauce
- 1 small white onion, thinly sliced
- Dill pickle slices
- Butter (optional, for toasting buns)
Instructions
1. Season the Pork
Pat the pork dry and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin.
2. Brown the Meat
Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork for 2–3 minutes per side until browned.
3. Slow Cook
Transfer the pork to a slow cooker (or keep it in a Dutch oven).
Add:
- Apple juice
- Apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- Liquid smoke (if using)
Cook:
- Slow Cooker: Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours
- Dutch Oven: 300°F (150°C) for about 3 hours, covered
The pork should be fork-tender.
4. Shred and Sauce
Remove the pork, shred it with two forks, and mix it with some of the cooking juices and extra barbecue sauce until well coated.
5. Toast the Buns
Lightly butter the buns and toast them cut-side down in a skillet until golden.
6. Assemble
Layer each bun with:
- A generous portion of barbecue pork
- Thinly sliced onions
- Dill pickle slices
Serve immediately while warm.
Optional Toppings
- Crispy fried onions
- Jalapeño slices
- Coleslaw
- Pepper Jack or cheddar cheese
- Extra barbecue sauce
Serving Suggestions
- French fries
- Onion rings
- Potato salad
- Coleslaw
- Baked beans
- Corn on the cob
Tips
- Pork shoulder produces the juiciest, most flavorful filling.
- A smoky barbecue sauce gives the sandwich its classic flavor.
- Toasting the buns helps prevent them from becoming soggy.
- Leftover pork keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freezes for up to 3 months.
Approximate Nutrition (Per Sandwich)
- Calories: 690
- Protein: 38 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fat: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
For an even more authentic fast-food style, use a soft oblong sandwich roll, plenty of tangy barbecue sauce, and keep the toppings simple with just white onions and dill pickles.