Introduction:
BBQ pork pizza is the perfect way to jazz up a regular pizza, the great smoky sweet flavor of barbecue sauce combined with tender pork and fresh toppings for a balanced, scrumptious supper. This savory BBQ pork pizza will become your new favorite and have you and your family and friends hungry for more whether it is pizza night or you are looking for something different to add to your regular dinners.
This is going to be an extremely step-by-step process of producing the perfect BBQ pork pizza from scratch in this post. Easy to prepare at home, this recipe is sure to please crowds from fresh pizza crust to tender pork and vibrant toppings.
Ingredients
For the Pizza Dough (Store-bought or homemade):
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
For the BBQ Pork:
- 1 1/2 cups cooked pulled pork (leftover or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Pizza Toppings:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup sliced jalapeños (optional, for heat)
- 1/2 cup corn kernels (optional, for a sweet crunch)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Preparing the Dough
Activate the Yeast: Making the dough calls for activating the yeast Dissolve the sugar in warm water in a small bowl; then, top with yeast. Let it sit till the yeast starts to foam, five to ten minutes. This suggests the yeast is active and fit for usage.
Mix the Dough: In a big mixing bowl, toss the flour and salt. Create a well in the middle then pour olive oil and active yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms; then, on a surface dusted with flour, knead the dough for roughly eight to ten minutes until it gets smooth and elastic.
Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough into a lightly oiled basin, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm location for about one to one and a half hours, or until it has approximately doubled in size.
Shape the Dough: Punch the dough down when it is risen to remove air bubbles. Roll out the dough into a circle or rectangle shape, whichever you like. Roll it much thinner if you want a thin crust.
Preparing the BBQ Pork
Cook the Pork: If you don’t have pulled pork leftovers, you can quickly create some with pork shoulder. Season the pork shoulder with salt, pepper, and your preferred spices; then, slow-cook it in the oven or a slow cooker until it becomes soft and fork-credible.
Toss the Pork in BBQ Sauce: Once shredded, toss the cooked pork with half a cup of your favorite BBQ sauce, so that the meat is even covered. With the smoky pork and pizza dough, the BBQ sauce perfectly complements a sweet taste and just a hint of tanginess.
Assembling the BBQ Pork Pizza
- Preheat the Oven: Warm the oven. Turn your oven to 475°F (245°C) then slide a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to warm. This guarantees a crispy crust.
- Top the Pizza Dough: Arrange the rolled-out dough on a floured pizza peel or piece of parchment paper. With all this prepared, let the crust have its border; coat the dough evenly with BBQ sauce. Toss over the sauce with almost half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Add the BBQ Pork: The pulled pork should be spread out evenly over the pizza. For each bite of pork, it should be smothered in BBQ sauce so that every piece in the mouth tastes good.
- Add the Toppings: Sprinkle with thin slices of red onions, cilantro, and whatever toppings you can want. You might enjoy adding some jalapeños or corn. Lastly, top with leftover mozzarella cheese sprinkles. For a bit of heat, add in a few crushed red pepper flakes.
- Bake the Pizza: Position onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet using the parchment paper or pizza peel with care. Bake until the cheese bubbles and browns lightly and the crust becomes golden and crispy-about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Drizzle with BBQ Sauce: Let it cool for about a few minutes before drizzling some extra BBQ sauce over the pizza while still warm to give it that explosion of flavor. You can also garnish using fresh cilantro on top of the pizza and give a nice pop of colors and freshness.
Serving Suggestions
BBQ pork pizza is fantastic if consumed hot from the oven. It can become a full dinner when served with roasted vegetables or fresh salad. In case you are hosting a party, you should consider preparing several different topping pizzas, and your guests will be pleased to come with some favorites that may be mixed and matched. The pizza is also perfect as a very casual midweek meal for the family
Some other side options that pair well with BBQ pork pizza are:
- Coleslaw: A nice balance of the creamy sour tastes with the savory BBQ pork.
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries: Sweet potato fries give a great contrast to the savory pizza.
- Garlic Bread: Garlic bread involves more carbohydrates, so who can resist them?
Tips for Perfect BBQ Pork Pizza
- Utilize a pizza stone: Pizza stone baking guarantees a crisp, uniformly cooked crust for your pizza. For optimal results, preheat the stone along with the oven.
- Experiment with alternative toppings even if the traditional BBQ pork, onion, and cheese combo is quite good. Your pizza might get a distinctive spin from pineapple, bell peppers, and even avocado.
- Less is more about pizza toppings. Don’t overload the pizza. Keep the pizza balanced; too many toppings could make it soggy.
- If you are creating homemade dough, let it rise and rest for ample time. This will help the dough acquire taste and texture.
Conclusion:
For those who appreciate strong, smoky tastes with a hint of sweet, savory BBQ pork pizza with fresh toppings is a great choice. Hard to resist is the mix of spicy BBQ sauce, tender pulled pork, and crisp crust; with a few fresh toppings like red onions, cilantro, and jalapeño, this pizza becomes a must-try meal for any occasion. This BBQ pork pizza is great whether you’re serving it at a pizza party or sharing it with family on a weekday.
FAQs:
1. Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this recipe?
A. Yes, store-bought pizza dough works perfectly and saves time. Just roll it out and follow the same steps.
2. What’s the best BBQ sauce to use for this pizza?
A. Use your favorite BBQ sauce, whether sweet, smoky, or spicy. Tailor it to your personal preference!