Blueberry BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Red Cabbage Slaw

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pulled pork tossed in a tangy blueberry BBQ sauce, served on mini slider buns with crunchy red cabbage slaw for a colorful and flavorful summer BBQ dish. This american-inspired pork ready in about 260 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, fresh or frozen blueberries, ketchup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 8, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 240 min Serves 8 American cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Blend until smooth to create the blueberry BBQ sauce.
  2. Step 2: Place 2 lbs boneless pork shoulder in a roasting pan and pour half of the blueberry BBQ sauce over it, coating evenly. Cover with foil and roast for 3-4 hours until the pork is very tender and shreds easily.
  3. Step 3: While pork roasts, combine 2 cups shredded red cabbage, 1 medium shredded carrot, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, and 1/4 tsp salt in a medium bowl. Toss well and refrigerate until serving.
  4. Step 4: When pork is done, shred with two forks and mix in the remaining blueberry BBQ sauce. Keep warm.
  5. Step 5: To assemble, split 8 slider buns and fill each with a generous scoop of pulled pork and a spoonful of red cabbage slaw. Serve immediately for a vibrant, patriotic BBQ meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Blueberry BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Red Cabbage Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 260 minutes (20 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 Blueberry BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Red Cabbage Slaw?

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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Blueberry BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Red Cabbage Slaw?

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 Blueberry BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Red Cabbage Slaw for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Blueberry BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Red Cabbage Slaw?

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.

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