Beer-Braised Pulled Pork Sliders with Spicy Coleslaw
Tender pulled pork slow-cooked in beer and smoky spices, served on mini buns with a crunchy, tangy spicy coleslaw. This american-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder (boneless), lager beer, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 12, 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 (boneless)
- 1 1/2 cups lager beer
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 12 slider buns
- 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly all over 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker and pour 1 1/2 cups lager beer over it. Add 2 tbsp yellow mustard on top. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is very tender and easily shredded.
- Step 3: While pork cooks, prepare the spicy coleslaw by mixing 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded red cabbage, and 1 grated carrot in a large bowl.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp hot sauce, and 1 tbsp honey. Pour dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to coat well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Step 5: Once pork is cooked, remove it from slow cooker and shred using two forks. Return shredded pork to slow cooker and stir to coat in cooking juices.
- Step 6: To assemble, place a generous scoop of pulled pork onto each of the 12 slider buns and top with a heaping spoonful of spicy coleslaw. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Beer-Braised Pulled Pork Sliders with Spicy Coleslaw take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Beer-Braised Pulled Pork Sliders with Spicy 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 (boneless) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Beer-Braised Pulled Pork Sliders with Spicy 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 Beer-Braised Pulled Pork Sliders with Spicy Coleslaw for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Beer-Braised Pulled Pork Sliders with Spicy 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.
