Mini BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Coleslaw
Slow-cooked pulled pork smothered in smoky barbecue sauce, served on mini buns with crunchy tangy coleslaw for a perfect bite. This american-inspired pork ready in about 495 minutes pairs BBQ sauce, medium, sliced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, trimmed and cut into 3-inch pieces pork shoulder
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 medium, sliced yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 8 slider buns
- 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
- 1 medium, grated carrot
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for slaw)
- 1 tsp honey (for slaw)
- 1/2 tsp salt (for slaw)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (for slaw)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a slow cooker, combine 2 lbs trimmed pork shoulder pieces, 1 medium sliced yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar over the top.
- Step 2: Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the pork is tender and easily shredded.
- Step 3: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return shredded pork to slow cooker and stir in 1 cup BBQ sauce to coat evenly. Keep warm.
- Step 4: In a bowl, mix 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage, 1 grated medium carrot, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until well combined for the coleslaw.
- Step 5: To assemble, split 8 slider buns and pile each with a generous scoop of pulled pork and a spoonful of coleslaw. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mini BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Coleslaw take to make?
Total time is about 495 minutes (15 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 Mini BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with 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 bbq sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mini BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with 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 Mini BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Coleslaw 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 Mini BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with 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.