There was a barbecue place just down the street from our old house that made the best pulled-pork sandwiches and fried pickles. I’m not planning to try to re-create the fried pickles anytime soon, but I missed the sandwiches too much not to try to make my own.

I found this recipe at Recipe Zaar a few months ago, and it’s become one of my favorites. There are only three ingredients involved, and it requires very little work on my part. And the end result is delicious.

Don’t be put off by the Diet Dr. Pepper — it doesn’t really flavor the roast at all, but it keeps it from drying out. The original recipe just calls for “cola” and “barbecue sauce.” You could use your favorite version of either.

The recipe makes quite a bit of barbecue. We took a batch over to my brother’s house last night for dinner, and we left three or four sandwiches-worth of barbecue with him. That was after we ate at least 8 sandwiches for dinner! The barbecue freezes very well, too, so this is a great recipe if you’re looking to stock your freezer.

Barbecue Pork Sandwiches
1 pork roast
2 cans Diet Dr. Pepper
16 oz. Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce

Cut all visible fat from roast. Place roast in Crockpot and pour in one can of Diet Dr. Pepper. Set Crockpot to low and cook for 12 hours.

Remove meat from Crockpot and skim visible fat from remaining liquid. Shred meat and return it to the Crockpot. Add half of your barbecue sauce, stir to combine and cook another five to six hours on low, checking periodically to make sure it isn’t getting too dry. Add more sauce and/or Diet Dr. Pepper as needed.

Serve on squishy buns with additional barbecue sauce, coleslaw, french fries pickles and painfully sweet tea.