Ultimate Pulled Pork Pizza with Jalapeno and Toasted Corn

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this Pulled Pork Pizza! This recipe features tender, smoky pulled pork smothered in a rich BBQ sauce, adding a sweet and tangy kick. Fresh and pickled jalapeños deliver a delightful mix of heat, perfectly balanced by the sweetness of toasted corn. Topped with a blend of Jack, Cotija, and sharp Cheddar cheeses, each bite is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

My Inspiration

During the late winter months, I always get a hankering for something summertime. BBQ sauce comes to mind, so I usually throw a pork butt into the slow cooker with some beer and spices and make my Easy Pulled Pork Sliders. Ah yes, faux summer.

As always there is leftover pulled pork. So what to do? Usually, I freeze the leftover pulled pork to use in the summer, some hot day when I don't feel like cooking, but this time I thought..."why not pizza?".

Why not indeed? So I did. Using my favorite Easy Basic Pizza Crust recipe, my favorite BBQ sauce recipe, and my recipe for pulled pork, I doubled down and put them together with both pickled and fresh jalapeno slices, toasted corn, and 3 cheeses, Cheddar, Jack, and Cotia. It was a perfect pie.

Jump to:

• My Inspiration
• Why You Want to Make this Pulled Pork Pizza Recipe
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• FAQ
• Step-by-Step Directions
• Variations
• Best Ways to Toast the Corn
• Top Tip: Use Freshly Grated Cheese
• Equipment
• Related
• Wine Pairing:
• Ultimate Pulled Pork Pizza with BBQ Sauce, Jalapeños, and Roasted Corn

Why You Want to Make this Pulled Pork Pizza Recipe

Making this pulled pork pizza is a fantastic idea for three main reasons:

• Flavor Explosion: Combining tender pulled pork with tangy BBQ sauce, spicy jalapeños, sweet roasted corn, and a blend of creamy Cotija, Monterey Jack and sharp Cheddar cheeses results in a rich, multi-dimensional taste.
• Unique and Creative: It offers a fresh twist on traditional pizza, making it a standout dish for any meal or gathering, perfect for those who love experimenting with bold flavors.
• Easy to Customize: You can adjust spice levels, switch up cheeses, or add other toppings like onions or bell peppers, making it versatile and satisfying for different tastes and preferences.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Pizza Dough - You can use a store-bought or homemade dough. Or try you local pizzeria to purchase dough.
• BBQ Sauce - Use your favorite store brand or try my recipe for Quick and Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce
• Pulled Pork - Make it yourself, or buy some already made from your favorite BBQ joint.
• Cheeses - I've seen several recipes that use mozzarella cheese as the cheese on a pulled pork pizza, but why? This pizza is NOT Italian. So I chose cheeses I thought would go best, cheddar, jack, and Cotia. You can choose other cheeses if you want, yes, including mozzarella.
• Jalapenos - I used both pickled and fresh. You can use both or one or the other. If choosing only one, I would choose the pickled ones.
• Toasted Corn - The toasting of the corn brings out the natural sweetness. Simply remove the kernels from the cob, (if using frozen, thaw and pat dry) and toss in a skillet with a bit of butter or oil until toasted and slightly brown.
• Other toppings as desired - Some good choices might be thinly sliced red onion, bell pepper, or black olives.

See recipe card for quantities.

FAQ

Step-by-Step Directions

Variations

Make it Gluten-Free: If you want or need it to be gluten-free, you can make a gluten-free traditional style crust using gluten-free flour, or try a rice-based crust for a different taste and texture.

Use different cheeses: Try adding some creamy blue cheese sprinkles on top. Blue cheese and BBQ sauce go hand in hand.

Experiment with different toppings: Thinly sliced red onion, caramelized onions, roasted bell pepper, or thinly sliced bell pepper are all good options.

Best Ways to Toast the Corn

1. Oven Roasting:
   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
   • Toss corn kernels with olive oil, salt, and your favorite spices.
   • Spread the kernels in a single layer on a baking sheet.
   • Roast for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the corn is golden and slightly charred.
2. Stovetop Skillet:
   • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Add a tablespoon of oil or butter and let it melt.
   • Add the corn kernels in a single layer.
   • Cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the corn is browned and caramelized.
3. Air Fryer:
   • Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
   • Toss the corn kernels with a bit of oil, salt, and pepper.
   • Place the kernels in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
   • Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the corn is crispy and slightly charred.

Top Tip: Use Freshly Grated Cheese

Using freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded packaged cheese when making pizza is better for several reasons:

1. Superior Melting and Texture: Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and evenly compared to pre-shredded cheese. This is because pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents like cellulose or potato starch, which can hinder the melting process and result in a less creamy texture.
2. Better Flavor: Freshly grated cheese typically has a more robust flavor since it doesn't contain preservatives that can slightly alter the taste of pre-shredded cheese. This results in a fresher, more authentic cheese flavor on your pizza.
3. Healthier Option: Pre-shredded cheeses often contain additives to prevent clumping and extend shelf life. By grating your cheese, you avoid these additives and get a purer cheese product, which can be better for your health.

Using freshly grated cheese enhances the overall quality of your pizza by providing better-melting properties, richer flavor, and a healthier ingredient option.

Equipment

A Pizza Pan - As you can see from the photos, I used an old favorite, well-used, pizza pan. This pan is lightweight and has holes for easy heat distribution. Because it is so light, it requires no preheating. Another choice is a pizza stone. A pizza stone does require preheating, so if this is your choice, put it into the oven when you start the preheating process.

A Pizza Peel: Using a pizza peel is essential if you are cooking with a pizza stone. The stone will be very hot, and you need a way to transfer your pizza safely from your workspace to the oven and back. Although not necessary with a thin pizza pan, a peel ensures safe and efficient movement of your pizza when using a stone.

A Pizza Cutter - There are rollers and rockers. Or just use your favorite Chef's knife.

Recipes that are perfect to use in this recipe:

Wine Pairing:

For pairing with your Pulled Pork Pizza featuring BBQ sauce, jalapeños, and roasted corn, a Zinfandel would be an excellent choice. Zinfandel's bold, fruity flavors and hints of spice complement the sweetness of the BBQ sauce and the heat from the jalapeños perfectly. Additionally, it has moderate tannins and it's acidity balances well with the rich pulled pork and creamy cheeses.

Another great option is a Syrah/Shiraz. This wine offers robust flavors of dark fruits and pepper, enhancing the smoky and spicy elements of the pizza. It's full body and smooth tannins make it a delightful match for the savory pulled pork and roasted corn.

Lastly, consider a Malbec. Known for its deep, dark fruit flavors and velvety texture, Malbec pairs wonderfully with the sweet and spicy notes of the pizza. Its subtle smokiness and balanced acidity provide a harmonious complement to the dish.