Maple-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Regional Apple Slaw

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-cooked pulled pork glazed with sweet maple syrup paired with a crisp apple slaw brings regional harvest flavors into these handheld sliders. This american-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, maple syrup, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 8 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder. Place in slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours until pork is tender and easily shredded.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup maple syrup and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar to make the glaze.
  3. Step 3: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks, discarding excess fat. Toss shredded pork with maple glaze until well coated.
  4. Step 4: For the apple slaw, combine 2 cups shredded red cabbage, 1 large julienned green apple, 1 medium grated carrot, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard in a bowl. Mix until creamy and season to taste.
  5. Step 5: Lightly butter 8 slider buns and toast in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden.
  6. Step 6: Assemble sliders by layering a generous scoop of maple-glazed pulled pork and a heap of apple slaw on each bun. Serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Regional Apple Slaw 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-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Regional Apple Slaw?

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 Maple-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Regional Apple Slaw?

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-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Regional Apple Slaw 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 Maple-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Regional Apple Slaw?

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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