Smoked Tiki Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw
Tender smoked pulled pork served on mini buns with a tangy pineapple slaw, blending smoky and sweet island flavors. This american-inspired pork ready in about 440 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs, boneless pork shoulder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 12 mini slider buns
- 2 cups, shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup, finely chopped fresh pineapple
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder in a small bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over 3 lbs pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Prepare a smoker or grill for indirect heat at 225°F. Smoke the pork shoulder for 6-7 hours until internal temperature reaches 195°F and meat is tender enough to shred.
- Step 3: In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup pineapple juice. Bring to a simmer and reduce by half. Set aside.
- Step 4: Shred the smoked pork with two forks and toss with the reduced vinegar-pineapple sauce for moisture and tang.
- Step 5: In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp honey, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix until creamy and well combined.
- Step 6: Toast 12 mini slider buns lightly. Fill each bun with a generous scoop of pulled pork and top with pineapple slaw. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Tiki Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 440 minutes (20 min prep + 420 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 Smoked Tiki Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple 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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Tiki Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple 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 Smoked Tiki Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw 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 Smoked Tiki Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple 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.
