BBQ Pulled Pork Croissants & Breaded Veggie Poppers (30 minutes under $20)
This post is definitely for those who have a tight budget, little time, and zero cooking skills. Actually, even those who do not have tight budgets, little time, or zero cooking skills will enjoy this post. Why? Because I’m going to show you how to feed six people under $20.00 in thirty minutes!
Life can get pretty busy sometimes; I’m all about simplicity and short cuts. Not everyone can spend hours cooking for the family or friends, so that’s why utilizing the frozen section at the grocery store is crucial. You don’t have to limit yourself to just ripping something out of a bag and microwaving; you can spice it up and impress the guest! Frozen foods are so underrated and need a little creativity to come alive.
Yesterday was Monday night football. I also had homework, work, and I’ve been busy getting everything ready for my D.C. trip. It was 7:45pm by the time I was done with everything and the Lions were playing at 8:30. I still wanted to make something delicious for dinner and for everyone watching it with me.
I decided to make breaded buffalo cauliflower, breaded teriyaki broccoli, and bbq pulled pork sandwiches…the simple way.
How cool is it that Birds Eye makes flavored steam-ables now? I’ve talked about my chicken wing obsession during football season, and my serious need to cut it out. Well, I finally found my back-up!
For these delicious little appetizers, you’ll need:
(ONLY FIVE INGREDIENTS)
1 Bag Birds Eye Buffalo Cauliflower
1 Bag Birds Eye Teriyaki Broccoli
Italian Bread Crumbs (or gluten free, plain, whole grain)
2 Large Eggs
1/4 Cup Unsweetened Cashew Milk (or any milk works)
In a little mixing bowl, coat the cauliflower in the egg and milk mixture.
I didn’t microwave the cauliflower before hand, but I did let it defrost on the counter for an hour.
Coat the cauliflower in the Italian bread crumbs and add it to a greased pan. I’ve always been a fan of Italian bread crumbs; I think they have the best flavor and they paired nicely with the buffalo and teriyaki. Even if it does sound like a weird combo, go with it.
While you’re coating the broccoli and cauliflower, make sure the oven is preheating to 400 degrees.
I got lazy and messy towards the end (I have the patience of a toddler and love messy fingers). I ended up tossing all the broccoli and cauliflower into the egg mixture and then coating it. Worked just as good and it cut out time 🙂
I placed the pan in the oven to cook for about 20 minutes while I prepared the oh-so-easy bbq pulled pork sandwiches!
If you’ve never had bbq pulled pork on a croissant, you’re missing out!
This is the quickest, tastiest and easiest little sandwich to throw together and it’s pretty darn cheap. It takes hours to slow cook pork, and it’s pricy, so no shame in the freezer section when you’re short time.
All you need is:
Coleslaw
Farm Rich® Smokehouse Pulled BBQ Pork
Croissants
So instead of slaving over your pork for hours, this delicious one took about…oh…eight minutes. I microwaved the bbq pulled pork for four minutes, stirred it up, and then microwaved it an additional three minutes.
*You can use an oven if you’re against microwaves.
I sliced open the croissants and added a little over 1/4 cup of the pulled pork on top.
Now, everyone makes bbq pulled pork sandwiches different. There is no right way and there is no wrong way! I think it’s fun to experiment and that’s why I went with the croissants. I’m basically turning a casual bbq sandwich into a classy sandwich, right?
The coleslaw is crucial. If you’ve never had coleslaw on a pulled bbq sandwich, please try it. This was something I was introduced to while living in the South. It’s a total game changer. I used to be a “yellow mustard everything” kind of person, now I’m more of a “coleslaw everything” person.
The first bite will send you to another planet.
I doubt anyone would know or question the fact that the croissants were store bought, the coleslaw was from a deli, and the bbq pulled pork was straight from the freezer section. These babies were juicy, soft, and simply melted in your mouth. The bbq pork tasted like something straight out of mama’s crock pot. The Farm Rich® Smokehouse brand has more flavors, too. You must check them out. The bbq pulled pork is high in protein, they use quality cuts of meat, and are smoked for hours.
If you have picky eaters who only dive in for chicken nuggets, you may want to try these out. Holy yumminess! I didn’t even crave chicken wings after biting into these. They were crispy on the outside and flavorful in the inside. If you’re a vegetarian and have a hard time finding healthy options during football season, you may want to write this recipe down (and you won’t need much paper).
If you’re a buffalo fan, make sure you try out the cauliflower. Whoever you’re cooking for will be blown away by these. I know I was. It’s a great way to fit in healthy vegetables and still get that flavor you’re looking for. To be honest, you don’t even need the breading; the veggies had enough flavor to stand on their own. I just like an extra crunch.
This whole meal costed me $16.49 and everything was purchased at one stop, Walmart. The fact that it only took me about 30 minutes was even better.
I popped on the couch at 8:30 and watched my Lions play while snacking on these little poppers.
For a limited time, earn $0.75 on Birds Eye Vegetables and unlock $1.00 off one Farm Rich® Smokehouse product with Ibotta while supplies last.
Kathrin says
Why are those foods tagged as gluten free? Bread crumbs and croissants? And I’m not sure about the ingredients of the pulled pork…
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi Kathrin! I tagged this post under gluten free because the bbq pulled pork is gluten free. I just want readers (who are gluten free) to see these delicious products!
Melissa says
Looks amazing!
I will be making this for the family I work for next weekend! Though I might have to blend it up for the wee little one. Another amazing recipe 🙂 Thanks girl! Keep them coming!
P.S I just ordered your muffin mix too! I will be enjoying those for breakfast with my coffee!
Melissa
Taralynn McNitt says
I hope they enjoy it:) Let me know how you like everything! xo
Kim says
Thank you for the veggie appetizer recipe! I am definitely them on Sunday 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Let me know how you like them!
Alyssa says
I’ve been really hesitant to try buffalo cauliflower because it sounds gross to me, but everyone keeps raving about it! And these breaded ones look amazing, so you’ve convinced me to finally give it a try 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
I have been hesitant to try them too (mainly because I do not like buffalo) but these were really really good!
Emily says
I love the idea of breaded buffalo cauliflower! I didn’t even know that existed! What an easy way for me to get more veggies into my boyfriend’s diet! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
You’re welcome! 🙂 It’s so delicious!
Delonica says
This looks so good. I’m in college and need ways to impress my friends 🙂 Thank you for this Taralynn
ML Bishop says
I realize this is a sponsored post but omg, you HAVE to try the Niman Ranch pulled pork at Whole Foods- it’s ridiculous.
Taralynn McNitt says
I must try, you are right!
Rebecca says
How are Nick and Santino? Haven’t heard you talk about them in awhile.
Taralynn McNitt says
They’re good! Been busy:)
Jill says
I’ve made buffalo cauliflower before (not from frozen), but didn’t think to bread it. Good idea 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
It’s delicious 🙂
Sue says
Hi Taralynn!
I was wondering, since you love your dogs so very much and seem like a responsible, kind person, what is your opinion about the meat, dairy and egg industry? I’m sure you would never eat your dog, so why would you eat a chicken or a cow? You have so any followers and are a huge rolemodel, you have such a great chance to make a difference and do something for the benefit of animals. I hope you will find one hour to watch this video, it is a speech from Gary Yourofsky, and it definitely changed my life forever, for the good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es6U00LMmC4
Jess says
Thanks for this post! I’m going to try Friday night.
Taralynn McNitt says
Hope you enjoy!