What it costs to make
What does a pulled pork sandwich cost to make?
About $1.00–$1.75 in ingredients for a pulled pork sandwich with slaw, bought delivered.
Pulled pork sandwich + slawEXAMPLE
| Pork shoulder (butt)8-10 oz rawUSDA National Daily Cutout, Oct 1, 2026 | $0.56–$0.89 |
| Cabbage for slaw2-3 ozUSDA terminal market, Oct 1, 2026 | $0.04–$0.17 |
| Bun, slaw dressing, rub1 bun, about 1 ozEXAMPLE reference price | $0.25–$0.31 |
| Market price total | $0.85–$1.37 |
| Bought deliveredEXAMPLE estimate: market price plus a typical delivered markup | $1.00–$1.75 |
| At a $13.00 menu price (EXAMPLE) | 8–14% |
Sources: USDA National Daily Cutout, Oct 1, 2026; USDA terminal market, Oct 1, 2026. Rows marked EXAMPLE use example reference prices. Raw shoulder weight. Smoked shoulder usually yields around half its raw weight.
What moves this number
- Cook yield. Shoulder loses a lot of weight in the smoker. Weigh it before and after, and cost the cooked ounce.
- Portion. Each extra raw ounce of shoulder adds about 8 cents.
- Sauce and sides. Sauce cups and sides cost little per plate but add up across a week.
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