Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender pulled pork slow-cooked and glazed with a smoky bourbon barbecue sauce, served on mini slider buns for perfect game day bites. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 500 minutes pairs 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 350 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 pork shoulder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 12 slider buns
- 1 cup, for topping (optional) coleslaw
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a small bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over the entire surface of 3 lbs pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Place the seasoned pork shoulder in a slow cooker and cover. Cook on low for 8 hours until the meat is very tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- Step 3: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey, 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 2 tbsp honey. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Step 4: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Discard any large pieces of fat.
- Step 5: Toss the shredded pork with half of the bourbon barbecue sauce until well coated.
- Step 6: To assemble sliders, spoon generous portions of pulled pork onto 12 slider buns, drizzle with additional barbecue sauce, and top with 1 cup coleslaw if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 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 Smoky Bourbon-Glazed 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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoky Bourbon-Glazed 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 Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders 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 Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders?
American bbq & smoked 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.
