Smoky Maple-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender pulled pork sliders glazed with a smoky maple sauce, served on soft buns with crisp slaw for a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. This american-inspired pork ready in about 200 minutes pairs pork shoulder (boneless), smoked paprika, garlic powder 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 pork shoulder (boneless)
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 12 slider buns
- 2 cups coleslaw mix
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for slaw)
- 1/4 tsp salt (for slaw)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (for slaw)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Rub 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder with 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper, coating evenly. Place pork in a roasting pan, cover tightly with foil, and roast for 3 hours until very tender.
- Step 2: While pork roasts, prepare the maple glaze by whisking 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp yellow mustard in a small bowl.
- Step 3: For the slaw, mix 2 cups coleslaw mix with 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir until well combined and refrigerate.
- Step 4: Remove pork from oven and shred using two forks. Toss the pulled pork with the maple glaze until evenly coated.
- Step 5: Assemble sliders by placing a generous scoop of maple-glazed pulled pork on each of 12 slider buns and topping with a spoonful of prepared slaw. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoky Maple-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Maple-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 (boneless) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoky Maple-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 Maple-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 Maple-Glazed 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.
