BBQ Pork Sandwich

Name: BBQ Pork Sandwich (Homemade McRib Style)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup ketchup; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 2 tbsp light brown sugar, packed; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup water; 2 lbs ground pork; 2 tbsp BBQ seasoning; 8 hoagie rolls; 1/2 cup dill pickle slices; 1 white onion, sliced

This homemade McRib-style BBQ pork sandwich features seasoned ground pork patties baked until tender and smothered in tangy homemade BBQ sauce made with ketchup and apple cider vinegar. It's a simple weeknight meal that recreates the fast-food favorite at home.

🌍American 🏷️Bbq pork sandwich 🏷️Pork sandwich 🏷️Copycat recipe 🏷️Ground pork Bbq sauce

🏷️

🏷️Weeknight dinner

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Total

35 min

Servings

8

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by cookinginthemidwest

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Ingredients

1 cup ketchup
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp light brown sugar, packed
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup water
2 lbs ground pork
2 tbsp BBQ seasoning
8 hoagie rolls
1/2 cup dill pickle slices
1 white onion, sliced

12 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and water.
2
Whisk the sauce ingredients together and bring to a simmer.
3
On a piece of parchment paper, form the ground pork into long, rectangular patties, about the size of your buns.
4
Use the side of a spatula to gently press indentations into the patties to resemble ribs.
5
Place the formed patties onto a wire rack set inside a baking sheet.
6
Season the patties generously on top with your favorite BBQ seasoning.
7
Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through.
8
Remove the patties from the oven and brush them liberally with the prepared BBQ sauce.
9
To assemble, place a sauced patty on a hoagie roll and top with sliced white onions and dill pickles.
10
Close the sandwich and serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Press ground pork gently into uniform patties about 1/2-inch thick — avoid overworking the meat, which can make them tough.
Don't skip the BBQ seasoning on the raw patties; it creates a flavorful crust and complements the homemade sauce.
Bake on a lined sheet pan so patties cook evenly and you can easily transfer them to buns without breaking.
Toast the hoagie rolls lightly before serving to prevent them from becoming soggy from the sauce.

Substitutions

Apple cider vinegar → white vinegar or rice vinegar (use same amount; rice vinegar will be slightly sweeter)
Light brown sugar → granulated sugar or honey (honey adds depth; use 2 tbsp)
Ketchup → tomato sauce + 1 tbsp molasses (for a deeper, less sweet sauce)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled sandwiches wrapped tightly in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a 350°F oven. The BBQ sauce and cooked patties freeze separately for up to 3 months.

Common Questions

Can I use ground beef instead of ground pork?

Yes, ground beef works well as a substitute. Use the same amount and follow the same baking time; beef may brown slightly faster, so check for doneness at 15 minutes.