Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sliders with Sweet Pickle Relish

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder shredded and smothered in a tangy pickle relish, served on mini buns for an irresistible handheld meal. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 12 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a slow cooker, combine pork shoulder, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, yellow mustard, garlic powder, and paprika. Cook on low for 8 hours until fork-tender.
  2. Step 2: Remove pork and shred with two forks. Return to slow cooker and mix with 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, combine diced sweet pickles, red onion, and mayonnaise until well-mixed. Season with a pinch of salt.
  4. Step 4: Spoon pulled pork mixture onto mini buns, top with 1 tbsp pickle relish, and serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sliders with Sweet Pickle Relish 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 Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sliders with Sweet Pickle Relish?

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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sliders with Sweet Pickle Relish?

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 Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sliders with Sweet Pickle Relish 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 Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sliders with Sweet Pickle Relish?

American slow cooker 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes