Honey Boy's BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Coleslaw
Tender pulled pork slow-cooked in a smoky barbecue sauce, served on mini buns with a crisp, tangy coleslaw for a perfect balance of flavors and textures. This american-inspired pork 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 350 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
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 12 mini slider buns
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt for coleslaw
- 1/4 tsp black pepper for coleslaw
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice blend all over 3 lbs pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker, pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp honey over the meat. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork is very tender and shreds easily.
- Step 3: While pork cooks, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded carrot, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Toss until the coleslaw is evenly coated and refrigerate.
- Step 4: When pork is done, remove it from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Mix in 1 cup barbecue sauce and stir well.
- Step 5: To serve, pile generous amounts of pulled pork onto 12 mini slider buns and top with the tangy coleslaw.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey Boy's BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy 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 Honey Boy's BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy 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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey Boy's BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy 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 Honey Boy's BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy 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 Honey Boy's BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy 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.