Half-Pint Summer Cider Pulled Pork Sliders

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pulled pork simmered slowly in a half-pint of apple cider, served on mini buns for a perfect balance of sweet and savory summer flavors. This american-inspired pork ready in about 435 minutes pairs cut into chunks pork shoulder, pint (8 fl oz) apple cider, medium, sliced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 15 min Cook: 420 min Serves 8 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika, then sear pork pieces for 3 minutes per side until browned.
  2. Step 2: Transfer pork to a slow cooker. Add 1 sliced medium yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 pint (8 fl oz) apple cider, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar.
  3. Step 3: Cook on low for 6-7 hours until pork is tender and easily shredded.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return shredded pork to the cooking liquid and stir to soak up flavors.
  5. Step 5: Serve pulled pork on 8 mini slider buns, spooning some of the cooking liquid over the pork for moistness.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Pint Summer Cider Pulled Pork Sliders take to make?

Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 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 Half-Pint Summer Cider 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 cut into chunks pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Pint Summer Cider 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 Half-Pint Summer Cider Pulled Pork Sliders 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 Half-Pint Summer Cider Pulled Pork Sliders?

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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