Spicy Pulled Pork Popper Sandwich recipe is made with my favorite slow cooker pulled pork recipe, caramelized onions, and Spicy Jalapeño cream cheese – seriously good!
Do you ever think, “Man! I really want something spicy tonight for dinner! And sweet. And crunchy…but also creamy!” Basically you want it all right? And between two perfectly grilled slices of bread…mmmmm. Chris and I were discussing dinner options the other night and this incredible sandwich is what he came up with. {He loves when I give him props…} Now, obviously, it was up to me to pull the whole thing together – but boy was it worth it!
I used my favorite Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe to start this off. The pork comes out so tender and so juicy – it’s just ridiculously good! Use your favorite barbecue sauce to make it your own! These sandwiches were made the day after so I just slapped some pork onto the grill top and heated it up. It made it a little crispy – sort of carnitas-esque of you will 🙂 Delish! I came up with adding caramelized onions to the sandwich. I seriously could just eat those straight from the pan…so good!
Now the kicker is PHILADELPHIA”s NEW Spicy Jalapeño cream cheese. Lordy! I was absolutely thrilled to be selected as a part of the Spicy Jalapeño blogger program. I immediately started thinking of all sorts of ways that I could incorporate the cream cheese into some of our favorite recipes. When I heard about this little concoction I knew it was going to be a huge hit with hubby! Jalapeño and cream cheese together??? Brilliant! It’s like having poppers on hand at all times to just throw into recipes – love this stuff!
This sandwich has it all – sweet, spicy, crunchy, creamy – deliciousness! The PHILADELPHIA Spicy Jalapeño cream cheese is what takes this sandwich over the top! And what’s totally awesome is that you can make this as spicy or as mild as you want. I personally only put the cream cheese on one slice of bread and I put on both slices for my hubby. Bryce? He had his with regular cream cheese 🙂 {Dude! Cream cheese on grilled sandwiches is the bomb!!}
As my husband sat down to eat this is what I heard….
“Wow!”
a couple of seconds later….
“Wow! This is amazing Trish!!”
A couple of minutes later…
“I’m going to need a second one…”
Yeah. They’re THAT good. Come get ya some!
PHILADELPHIA cream cheese has been a staple in our home for as long as I can remember. We use it literally EVERY. DAY. Bagels, crackers, wraps, you name it! Not to mention my favorite use for it – cheesecakes! I love trying out the new flavors of cream cheese and have yet to be disappointed. Whether it’s a sweet or savory flavor – they all have found a way into my fridge along the way.
PHILADELPHIA is the brand I trust for cream cheese. They’ve been making America’s favorite cream cheese since 1872 – that’s a long time to perfect the recipe! PHILADELPHIA’s commitment to develop a delicious, quality product with fresh local milk and real wholesome cream is evident in every bite.
Did you know that PHILADELPHIA uses milk sourced from cooperatives of dairy farmers local to where the cream cheese is made? Smart! From the farm to their fridge in just six days! No preservatives are used in the cream cheese brick varieties and limited preservatives in the other varieties. The Spicy Jalapeño variety was launched this month and features real, diced jalapeños for a serious kick that we love!
Grilled Jalapeno Popper Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Ingredients
- sliced sourdough bread
- PHILADELPHIA Spicy Jalapeño cream cheese
- butter
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- 4-6 lb bone-in pork shoulder roast
- 2 medium onions chopped
- 4 cloves garlic crushed
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 18 oz barbecue sauce divided
- 2 tbsp mustard
Caramelized Onions
- 4 onions sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Add the onions and garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place the roast fat side up on top of the onions and garlic.
- Combine brown sugar, chili powder, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and barbecue sauce (reserving 1/2 cup for later). Spread over the top of pork.. Pour in the apple cider vinegar.
- Cook on high for 3 hours and then switch to low for another 5-6 hours. Removed the roast and shred with two forks, discarding any fat and bone.
- After removing the roast, pour the liquid in the slow cooker through a strainer and set aside.
- Add the pulled pork back to the slow cooker along with 1-3 cups of reserved liquid and remaining 1/2 cup barbecue sauce. Add the liquid 1/2 cup a time, stirring each time, until pork reaches the moisture level you desire.
- Continue cooking the pulled pork for another 1-2 hours on low. Meanwhile...
Caramelized Onions
- Add oil to a thick-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is heated, add the sliced onions.
- Reduce heat to medium and stir occasionally until onions are nice and caramelized, usually around 30 minutes. Do not rush the onions - give them time!
Building the Sandwich
- Heat a grill pan over high heat. Spread 1 tablespoon of Jalapeno Cream Cheese on two slices of bread. Butter the other sides and place butter side down on grill.
- Add enough caramelized onions to cover the cream cheese and then about a half a cup of drained pulled pork. Place the other piece of bread, cream cheese side down on top of pulled pork. Grill until golden brown on both sides and serve.
Nutrition
I can’t wait to try out this awesome cream cheese in so many of my favorite dips and sandwiches! How would you use PHILADELPHIA Spicy Jalapeño cream cheese spread in your favorite dishes? Check out creamcheese.com for more awesome recipes!
Here are some of my favorite recipes that use PHILADELPHIA cream cheese:
5-Cheese Roasted Red Pepper Spread
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Mini Cheesecakes
Triple Threat Chocolate Cheesecake
Connect with me!
Linking up here, Home Stories A2Z, Savvy Southern Style, Serenity Now, and My Repurposed Life.
Disclosure: I have been selected by Kraft Foods to be an ambassador for Philadelphia cream cheese. While I have been compensated for my time, my opinions are my own.
natalie zemrose horschel says
I made this for dinner tonight! It was so good. I will be making this again! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You are so welcome Natalie! Thanks for stopping by!
Andra says
I followed this recipe exactly as written yesterday for my family and we all LOVED it. I’m so timid with heat, but I also loved it with the jalapeño cream cheese and sautéed onions! Such an amazing combo! My husband said this was one of his favorite meals in the past 5 years of cooking for him. Thank you!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh wow Andra! So glad your family enjoyed the recipe! My husband said pretty much the same thing when I made it for him 🙂 Definitely one of our favorites!
Linda says
I agree this “looks” good but it would really be nice to read reviews from people that have actually cooked & tried this recipe.
Molly says
We have this in the crockpot right now for tomorrow’s KSU vs KU game! Sooo excited to taste this!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s awesome Molly! How’d you like it?
Valerie says
Where on the East coast can you find a really good Sourdough bread??? Maybe a good Rye or Pumpernickel would work for us!!! 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh man! I didn’t even know that the East Coast was lacking in sourdough – bummer 🙁 You could totally use a different bread and it will still be fantastic!
Lauren says
love this! what a fantastic idea! i’m doing this tomorrow, so excited.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Lauren! Let me know what you thought 🙂
Sarah says
i am going to try these this week, but i think i will mix the dill into the cream cheese before spreading it. also, my guy always puts some lemon on pulled pork . yay summer! I had featured u in the post of Top 7 Quick and Healthy Sandwich Recipes on AllFreshRecipes, looking forward to ur MORE eats!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Ooh that sounds delicious Sarah! I am a big-time dill fan 🙂 Thank you so much for the feature!!
Laura says
I made this for supper tonight, and it was AMAZING. I also made my favorite potato salad as a side, and almost forgot it was on my plate… this sandwich was just that good!
Jacqueline says
You had my mouth watering the whole time. I haven’t seen this yet, but I am sure I could eat it by the spoonfuls! I love how you heated the pork – I bet that made it even more amazing. Thanks for making me want to go down to the kitchen after 10:00 and “pork” out.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yeah, it’s pretty darn amazing 🙂 My Target is carrying it now so I’m excited about that! Thanks so much for stopping by Jacqueline!
Cathy says
Another awesome recipe i hope you will share on my link party!
I would love for you to link up to my TGIF Link Party! Who knows, you just might be featured next week!
http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-peek-into-my-paradise-tgif-link-party.html
Cathy
Kim @ Soliloquy Of Food & Such says
Seriously? Can I come for dinner – I just left a comment on your Coconut-Toffee Bars….ya killin’ me!! Jalapeno cream cheese, pulled pork, and caramelized onions….tdf!!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Totally! If you’re ever in the Sacramento area just send me a note 🙂 Thanks Kim!
Tonia@thegunnysack says
I would love one of those for lunch tomorrow! I even have a pork roast ready for the crock pot!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You’re almost there then Tonia! Soooo good!
Bill Beaman says
What a killer sandwich! Have not seen a sandwich like it for sure! Thanks for the share! Cant wait to try it!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
My husband seriously asks for this at least once a week -it’s awesome!
Amanda says
This may be a silly question, however the recipe lists 3/4 apple cider vinegar, 3/4 what? Cup, tsp, bottle? Thanks so much.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Not silly at all Amanda! My mistake! It is 3/4 cups of apple cider vinegar – thanks for pointing that out!
Kady says
Pinning! WHOA! Cannot wait until I see jalapeno cream cheese around here!