Total time: 35 min • Prep: 10 min • Cook: 25 min • Serves: 4 • Difficulty: Easy

Creamy coleslaw is often served as a side dish, but at 'cue joints from the South to the Midwest and many smoky points beyond, the tangle of cabbage comes as a welcome topper for the pile of steaming pork in a barbecue sandwich. It's the yin and yang of cool, crisp cabbage juxtaposed with the hot, tender pork that elevates things to star status. The vinegar in the slaw cuts through the richness of the meat just like a heap of dill pickles or tangy Chow Chow relish will. If you like things spicy, chop up a few pickled jalapeño slices and add them to the slaw, or add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to the barbecue sauce to punch up the heat. Lose the bun if you wish and serve the pork and slaw cradled in a cabbage leaf.