Slow Cooker Cajun-Spiced Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Tender pulled pork infused with bold Cajun spices, slow-cooked for hours and served piled high on soft buns with tangy slaw. This Southern American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, boneless, olive oil, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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
- 3 lbs pork shoulder, boneless
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 8 hamburger buns
- 3 cups coleslaw mix
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
Slow cookers worth buying for this → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice blend evenly over the entire surface of the 3 lb boneless pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides for 3-4 minutes per side until browned and fragrant.
- Step 3: Transfer pork to slow cooker. Pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar over the pork and cover. Cook on low for 8 hours until pork is tender and easily shredded.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, combine 3 cups coleslaw mix, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp honey in a bowl. Mix well and chill until ready to serve.
- Step 5: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred using two forks. Stir in 1 cup barbecue sauce to coat the pulled pork.
- Step 6: Toast 8 hamburger buns. Pile pulled pork onto the buns and top with prepared coleslaw. Serve immediately.









