Pineapple and Southern Spiced Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender pulled pork sliders infused with Southern spices and sweet pineapple, perfect for a flavorful handheld meal. This american-inspired pork ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder roast, brown sugar, smoked paprika 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder roast
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 8 slider buns
- 1 cup coleslaw
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a small bowl to create a spice rub.
- Step 2: Rub the 2 lbs pork shoulder evenly with the spice mixture. Place pork in a slow cooker and pour 1 cup pineapple juice and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar around it.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is fall-apart tender. Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks, discarding excess fat.
- Step 4: Return shredded pork to slow cooker and mix with remaining juices. Spoon pulled pork onto 8 slider buns, topping each with 2 tbsp coleslaw. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pineapple and Southern Spiced Pulled Pork Sliders 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 Pineapple and Southern Spiced 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 pork shoulder roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pineapple and Southern Spiced 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 Pineapple and Southern Spiced 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 Pineapple and Southern Spiced 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.