Maple-Bourbon Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Red Onions
Slow-cooked pulled pork tossed in a sweet and smoky maple-bourbon glaze, served on soft slider buns with tangy pickled red onions for a perfect summer cookout bite. This bbq & smoked-inspired summer cookout ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder (boneless), salt, black pepper 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 (boneless)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 12 pieces slider buns
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder in a small bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over all sides of 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Place the seasoned pork shoulder in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the meat is tender and easily shredded.
- Step 3: While the pork cooks, prepare the pickled onions by combining 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tbsp granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer to dissolve sugar, then pour over 1 medium thinly sliced red onion in a heatproof jar. Let cool, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Step 4: In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup ketchup, and 2 tbsp brown sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 8-10 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly.
- Step 5: When pork is done, shred it using two forks in the slow cooker. Pour the warm maple-bourbon glaze over the shredded pork and stir to coat evenly.
- Step 6: To assemble, place a generous scoop of glazed pulled pork on each of the 12 slider buns, top with tangy pickled red onions, and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Bourbon Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Red Onions 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 Maple-Bourbon Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Red Onions?
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 (boneless) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Bourbon Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Red Onions?
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 Maple-Bourbon Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Red Onions 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 Maple-Bourbon Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Red Onions?
BBQ & Smoked summer cookout 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.
