Cars.com's Smoky BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

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

Fall-off-the-bone tender pulled pork with smoky barbecue sauce, served on mini buns with pickled onions. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 12 American cuisine 290 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder with 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp dry mustard, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
  2. Step 2: Place pork shoulder in a slow cooker, cover with 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and cook on low for 8-10 hours until fork-tender.
  3. Step 3: While pork cooks, prepare pickled onions: combine 1 thinly sliced red onion, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl, then let sit for 15 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Shred cooked pork with two forks, then mix with 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 minced garlic clove.
  5. Step 5: Warm 12 mini buns in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Place shredded pork mixture on each bun, top with pickled onions, and serve immediately with extra barbecue sauce on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cars.com's Smoky BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders 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 Cars.com's Smoky BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders?

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 Cars.com's Smoky BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders?

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 Cars.com's Smoky BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders 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 Cars.com's Smoky BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders?

American slow cooker 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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