Pineapple Onion Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese

In 2018 Andy and I went to Kauai, HI for my 40th birthday. During that trip we hiked Waimea Canyon. It was a beautiful hike but very hard. We should have started the hike much earlier in the day because it got very hot on the way back up. That’s the thing about hiking down a canyon. You get to go down first and up on the way back – not really the way you want a hike to go. Also, we experienced lots of different landscapes – what felt like a dessert with rocks and dirt, and then a jungle with mud and mosquitoes. I loved it though!

Needless to say we were starving by the end of the hike. I had heard about a food truck called, Porky’s that I wanted to try and conveniently it was located on the same side of the island. It did not disappoint. I got the grilled cheese which had amazingly tender pulled pork with a pineapple onion sauce and a sweet/sour dipping sauce. Oh. My. Word. It was so good! Worth every mile we had just hiked. They have since outgrown their food truck and have a restaurant. If you’re in Kauai, please visit them!

I am so pleased that they just opened a Porky’s only 45 minutes from my house. Now I don’t have to cross an ocean to get the best grilled cheese sandwich in all the land! If you live in UT, and are driving through Lehi, I HIGHLY recommend you go try one out. They also have delicious sausage sandwiches and mac salad as well.

This quarantine and social distancing stuff motivated me to recreate this amazing sandwich. You’ll start by making some pulled pork. I have an instant pot pulled pork recipe here. That is the one I use and it is the best. Next, you’ll make the pineapple and onion mix. Start by making a pineapple sauce.

Next you’ll slice and saute 3 onions. You’ll want to them to be almost caramelized – a nice golden brown color is good.

Now you’ll add the onions to the pineapple sauce and mix them together until combined.

Now you’re ready to assemble the sandwich. It is important to use a nice thick white bread. I use Grandma Sycamore’s or even Texas Toast. I like to generously butter the outside of the bread, spread some mayo on the inside, lay your cheese down: use your favorite (provolone, muenster, Havarti, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack), a large helping of pork, and a good size spoonful of the pineapple onion sauce. Then, grill it up! I promise, this will become one of your favorite sandwiches.

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Pineapple Onion Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese

This next level grilled cheese sandwich is filled with tender pulled pork and an amazing pineapple onion sauce and of course, cheese!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword grilled cheese, pineapple onion pulled pork grilled cheese

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 3-4 lbs boneless pork shoulder butt roast
• 1 cup chicken broth
• salt and pepper
• 1 ½ cups pineapple cut into tidbits
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2-3 large onions sliced
• 2 Tbsp butter
• cheese use whatever you like: provolone, muenster, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Havarti
• bread thick white bread like Grandma Sycamore's
• butter
• mayonnaise

Instructions

1. Spray the instant pot with non-stick cooking spray. Place pieces of pork in the pot (cut off large pieces of fat) and pour in chicken broth and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on the lid and set the knob to sealing. Push the pressure cook button and set the time for 1 hour. When the time is done, let it self release for at least 15 minutes. Then turn the knob to venting. When the silver button goes down, open the pot and shred the pork in a separate bowl.

2. While the pork is cooking, cut the pineapple into tidbits and slice the onions. Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. In a medium sauce pan, combine the sugar mixture, pineapple and lemon juice. Turn the heat to medium and stir until it comes to a boil and thickens. Turn off the heat.

3. In a 12 inch skillet, melt the butter on medium high heat. Add the onions and saute until they are golden brown. Add them to the pineapple mixture and stir until combined.

4. Heat the griddle to 350°F. Generously, butter one side of two pieces of bread. Place one piece of bread on the griddle, butter side down. Spread mayonnaise on the bread, add a slice of cheese, a spoonful of pork, a spoonful of the pineapple onion sauce, and then top it with the other slice of bread, spreading with mayonnaise before placing it butter side up on the sandwich. Grill both sides until golden brown. Enjoy!