Carbondale-Inspired Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Slaw

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-20 · Updated 2026-05-20

Slow-cooked pulled pork sliders seasoned with a smoky dry rub and topped with a crisp vinegar slaw for a perfect balance of savory and tangy. This Southern American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, brown sugar, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 8 mini slider buns
• 1 tbsp olive oil

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Mix 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Rub this spice blend all over 3 lbs pork shoulder.
2. Step 2: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker and pour in 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar. Cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
3. Step 3: While pork cooks, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded carrots, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp olive oil in a bowl. Toss well to make the tangy slaw; refrigerate until serving.
4. Step 4: Once pork is done, shred it using two forks and mix with the cooking juices for moistness.
5. Step 5: To assemble sliders, spoon generous portions of pulled pork onto 8 mini slider buns and top with a heap of the tangy slaw. Serve warm.