what chips go best with pulled pork sandwiches

Crunchy Complements: The Best Chips to Pair with Pulled Pork Sandwiches

When it comes to classic barbecue fare pulled pork sandwiches are a crowdpleasing staple. From backyards to BBQ joints across America the tender shredded pork shoulder is ubiquitous, typically paired with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. But what takes this sandwich to the next level? The perfect crunchy, salty chip companion of course!

With seemingly endless chips options from plain to gourmet, finding that perfect pulled pork pairing can be daunting Never fear – as both a self-proclaimed chip connoisseur and pulled pork enthusiast, I’ve tried just about every variety alongside juicy pulled pork sandwiches to find the most complementary and craveable combinations

Read on for my picks of the best chips to serve alongside your next batch of saucy, smokey pulled pork.

Crunchy Considerations for Pulled Pork

Before diving into specific chips. let’s examine some of the key qualities of pulled pork that impact what chips pair best

• Smokiness – Most pulled pork is smoked or barbecued, giving it a robust, smoky flavor. Chips with some smokiness or BBQ seasonings complement this nicely.

• Richness – The pork shoulder meat has a rich, fatty quality that potato chips in particular help cut through.

• Sweetness – Pork shoulder is naturally slightly sweet, and many barbecue sauces contain molasses, honey or brown sugar. A touch of sweetness in chips balances this.

• Acidity – Pulled pork barbecue sauce often contains vinegar, mustard, tomato or other acidic ingredients. Salt and vinegar chips counteract this acidity well.

• Spiciness – Depending on the dry rub or barbecue sauce, pulled pork ranges from mild to very spicy. The right chips should match the heat level.

With these factors in mind, here are my top 13 recommendations for chip and pulled pork pairings:

The 13 Best Chips for Pulled Pork

1. Classic Lay’s Potato Chips

The simple saltiness and crispy crunch of Lay’s original potato chips make them the perfect sandwich companion. Feel free to add some extra BBQ spice!

1. Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream Potato Chips

The creamy cheddar and tangy sour cream flavors pair wonderfully with saucy pulled pork. Ruffles’ hearty ridged chip also holds toppings nicely.

1. Kettle Brand Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper Potato Chips

These kettle chips have a robust potato crunch and seasoning blend that complements classic smoked pulled pork.

1. Cape Cod Sweet Mesquite Barbecue Potato Chips

It’s hard to go wrong matching sweet barbecue chips with sweet barbecue pork. These chips mirror most barbecue sauces.

1. Zapp’s Voodoo Potato Chips

A sweet and spicy blend of BBQ, honey, and jalapeño seasonings, these spicy chips can handle both sweet and hot pulled pork.

1. Hawaiian Sweet Maui Onion Potato Chips

The tropical twist of sweet onion and pineapple in these rippled chips makes for an unexpectedly delightful pork pairing.

1. Herr’s Sour Cream and Onion Flavored Potato Chips

Herr’s does sour cream and onion right – tangy and creamy flavors to stand up to saucy pork. Their crunchy chips won’t get soggy.

1. Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzel Pieces

For a hearty crunch, pretzel pieces have a great salty flavor and unique rounded shape to hold BBQ pork toppings.

1. Takis Fuego Tortilla Chips

If your pulled pork brings the heat, these small rolled chips pack an intense punch of chili powder and lime flavor.

1. Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Tortilla Chips

A lighter but still crispy option, these chips have a simple nutty, multigrain flavor that lets the pork shine.

1. Fritos Original Corn Chips

With their crisp, salty corn taste and scoop-ability, Fritos are a fun match for loaded pulled pork sandwiches.

1. Deep River Snacks Sweet Maui Onion Kettle Chips

These sturdy kettle chips combine sweet onions with potato crunch – delicious alongside saucy pork.

1. Stacy’s Simply Naked Pita Chips

For a lighter crunch, these pita chips have a subtle sea salt flavor that won’t overpower the pork.

Beyond Chips: More Sides for Pulled Pork

Chips aren’t the only tasty accompaniments for pulled pork sandwiches. Some other classic pairings include:

• Coleslaw – Cool, creamy slaw balances the pork’s richness.

• Potato Salad – Soft, tangy potato salad complements the texture.

• Baked Beans – Sweet, saucy beans alongside barbecue pork? Yes please!

• Corn on the Cob – Grilled corn’s sweetness contrasts the smoky pork.

• Mac and Cheese – Cheesy comfort food and savory pork – a match made in heaven.

The Pulled Pork and Chips Possibilities Are Endless!

I hope these mouthwatering chip and pork pairings inspire your next barbecue feast! Don’t be afraid to get creative and try new flavor combinations. Just be warned – once you start snacking on crispy chips and juicy pulled pork, it’s hard to stop!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to whip up some slow smoked pulled pork and open a fresh bag of chips for a little taste testing session. Happy snacking!