Applewood-Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Coleslaw
Slow-cooked pulled pork infused with applewood smoke, topped with crisp and creamy coleslaw on soft mini buns. This american-inspired pork ready in about 280 minutes pairs pork shoulder, applewood smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp applewood smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 medium, shredded carrot
- 12 mini slider buns
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp applewood smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Rub this spice mix evenly over 3 lbs of pork shoulder. Let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 300°F. Place the pork shoulder in a roasting pan, cover with foil, and cook for 4 hours until fork-tender.
- Step 4: While pork cooks, prepare slaw: in a bowl, whisk 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, and 1/2 cup mayonnaise until smooth.
- Step 5: Toss 3 cups shredded green cabbage and 1 shredded medium carrot with the dressing until well coated. Refrigerate until serving.
- Step 6: Remove pork from oven and shred with two forks, discarding excess fat.
- Step 7: Lightly toast 12 mini slider buns with 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until golden.
- Step 8: Assemble sliders by piling warm pulled pork on buns and topping with a generous spoonful of the tangy coleslaw. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Applewood-Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Coleslaw take to make?
Total time is about 280 minutes (40 min prep + 240 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Applewood-Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Coleslaw?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Applewood-Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Coleslaw?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Applewood-Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Coleslaw for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Applewood-Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Coleslaw?
American pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
