Pulled Pork
Cactus Blossom
The TikTok-famous Texas Roadhouse order that is not on the menu: a crispy Cactus Blossom loaded with pulled pork and BBQ sauce. Here is exactly what to say, what it costs, and how to keep it crispy.
~$9-11
Total cost
2-4 people
Feeds
Any location
Availability
Short answer: just ask your server
Say: “Can I get a Cactus Blossom with pulled pork and BBQ sauce on top?” The Cactus Blossom is $5.99 and the pork add-on runs about $3 to $5, so the whole thing lands around $10. Every ingredient is already in the kitchen, so nearly every location will make it.
The pulled pork Cactus Blossom started as a customer hack on TikTok and spread fast for a simple reason: it takes the single most famous appetizer at Texas Roadhouse, the deep-fried whole onion cut to bloom like a flower, and piles the slow-cooked pulled pork from the dinner menu on top of it. Sweet BBQ sauce runs down into the petals, and every pull comes off with crispy onion, tender pork, and sauce in one bite.
It is not printed on any menu, and it does not need to be. This page covers the exact ordering script, a full cost and calorie breakdown, how it compares to just ordering the pulled pork dinner, and the variations locals order once they get bored of the classic.
What It Costs, Piece by Piece
There is no set menu price because it is a custom order. Here is how it gets rung up.
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cactus Blossom (appetizer) | $5.99 | Official menu price, includes Cajun horseradish dipping sauce |
| Pulled pork topping (add-on) | $3.00 - $5.00 | Rung up as a protein add-on, varies by location |
| Extra BBQ sauce | Free | Standard sauce, just ask for it drizzled or on the side |
| Estimated total | $9 - $11 | Feeds 2-4 people as a shared appetizer |
The pork add-on price is set store by store since it is not an official menu item. Some servers ring it as a side portion, others as a half add-on. Either way it stays in the $3 to $5 range.
How to Order It: The Exact Script
Four steps, and the third one is the difference between a crispy blossom and a soggy one.
Order the base
"Can I get a Cactus Blossom..."
It is a standard appetizer, $5.99, no special request needed yet.
Add the pork
"...with pulled pork and BBQ sauce on top?"
The kitchen preps pulled pork daily for the Pulled Pork Dinner, so it is always in stock.
Crispy option
"Actually, put the pork and sauce on the side."
Optional but recommended: the hot pork softens the fried batter fast. On the side keeps every bite crunchy.
Ask for extras
"Extra Cajun horseradish sauce, please."
The blossom comes with one dipping sauce cup. A second one is usually free and the table will finish both.
Is It Actually a Good Deal?
How the secret order stacks up against the official pulled pork items on the menu.
| Order | Price | Feeds | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulled Pork Cactus Blossom (secret menu) | ~$9 - $11 | 2-4 sharing | ~2,650 total |
| Cactus Blossom alone | $5.99 | 2-4 sharing | ~2,250 total |
| Pulled Pork Dinner (with 2 sides) | $13.49 | 1 person | 890 |
| Family Sized Pulled Pork | $36.99 | 4-5 people | 2,040 total |
| Pulled Pork Dinner - Early Dine (Mon-Thu 3-5 PM) | $9.99 | 1 person | 460 |
Verdict: as a shared appetizer for a table of three or four, it beats ordering individual appetizers. As a solo meal, the Early Dine Pulled Pork Dinner at $9.99 is the better play.
Calorie reality check: this is a table item, not a starter for one
A plain Cactus Blossom with its dipping sauce is roughly 2,250 calories by itself. Add pulled pork and BBQ sauce and the loaded version lands around 2,600 to 2,750 calories, more than a full day’s intake for most adults. Split between four people it works out to a reasonable ~650 per person. Full nutrition details for every menu item are in our nutrition calculator. If you want something fried to share without that number attached, Rattlesnake Bites are 560.
Every Variation Worth Ordering
Once the classic goes viral at your table, these are the follow-up orders.
| Variation | How to Build It | Upcharge | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Viral Version | Cactus Blossom + pulled pork + BBQ drizzle | ~$3-5 | First-timers, the TikTok original |
| Crispy Version | Cactus Blossom + pork and sauce served on the side | ~$3-5 | Slow eaters, keeps batter crunchy to the last petal |
| Chili Cheese Blossom | Cactus Blossom + chili + shredded cheese | ~$3-4 | Colder months, texas chili fans |
| Brisket Blossom | Cactus Blossom + brisket where available | ~$4-6 | Locations that stock brisket, richer smoke flavor |
| Double Sauce | Any version + extra Cajun horseradish cup | Free | Everyone, the sauce always runs out first |
Before You Order: Three Things Servers Want You to Know
It is a custom order, be nice about it
Servers make this all the time now, but during a Friday rush a packed kitchen may say no to modifications. Ordering it on a weekday, or during the 3-5 PM Early Dine window, almost always works.
Ask the price before it hits the ticket
Because the pork add-on is not standardized, one store charges $3 and another $5. A quick "how much is the pork add-on?" avoids surprises when the check arrives.
Takeout does not travel well
The blossom steams itself soggy inside a to-go box within about 10 minutes. This is a dine-in order. If you want pulled pork at home, the Family Sized Pulled Pork at $36.99 is the move.
Pulled Pork Cactus Blossom: Common Questions
What is the pulled pork Cactus Blossom at Texas Roadhouse?
It is a secret menu order, not an official menu item. You order a regular Cactus Blossom, the deep-fried whole onion appetizer, and ask your server to top it with a portion of pulled pork and BBQ sauce. The kitchen already stocks both ingredients, so almost every location can make it. Expect to pay around $9 to $11 total depending on how your store prices the pork add-on.
How do I order the pulled pork Cactus Blossom?
Just tell your server: "Can I get a Cactus Blossom with pulled pork and BBQ sauce on top?" Every ingredient is already in the kitchen, so there is nothing unusual about the request. If you want the blossom to stay crispy, ask for the pulled pork and sauce on the side and add them as you eat.
How much does the pulled pork Cactus Blossom cost?
The Cactus Blossom itself is $5.99 on the current menu. The pulled pork topping is charged as an add-on, typically $3 to $5 depending on the location and portion size, which puts the whole order around $9 to $11. That is still cheaper than many entrees, and it comfortably feeds two to four people as a shared appetizer.
How many calories are in a pulled pork Cactus Blossom?
A full Cactus Blossom with dipping sauce runs roughly 2,250 calories on its own, and a pulled pork topping with BBQ sauce adds an estimated 400 to 500 calories. A fully loaded blossom lands in the 2,600 to 2,750 calorie range, which is why it is best treated as a shareable for the table rather than a personal appetizer.
Is the pulled pork Cactus Blossom on the official Texas Roadhouse menu?
No. It is a customer-created combination that went viral on TikTok. Because both components, the Cactus Blossom appetizer and the pulled pork used for the Pulled Pork Dinner, are standard kitchen items, servers can ring it up as an appetizer plus an add-on. A few locations may decline custom orders during peak rush, but most will make it without hesitation.
Can I get the Cactus Blossom with other toppings instead?
Yes. Popular variations include brisket or steak tips where available, chili and cheese for a chili-cheese blossom, and extra Cajun horseradish dipping sauce on the side. Any protein the kitchen already stocks can usually be added for a similar $3 to $5 upcharge.
Order It on a Weekday, 3-5 PM
The kitchen is calm, custom orders sail through, and you can stack it with Early Dine pricing on your entree.