Smoky Mustard and Brown Sugar Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender pulled pork slathered in a smoky mustard and brown sugar BBQ sauce served on soft slider buns, perfect for backyard gatherings. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, yellow mustard, 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
- 1/2 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup water
- 12 slider buns
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Mix 1/2 cup yellow mustard, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a bowl until combined to create the BBQ rub.
- Step 2: Rub the 3 lbs pork shoulder all over with the prepared BBQ rub, pressing it into the meat. Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker and add 1/2 cup water to the bottom.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is fall-apart tender and shreds easily with two forks.
- Step 4: Remove the pork shoulder and shred it finely, discarding any large pieces of fat. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it into the cooking juices to soak up the smoky mustard sauce.
- Step 5: Preheat a skillet over medium heat and melt 2 tbsp butter. Split 12 slider buns and toast them butter-side down for 2 minutes until golden and warm.
- Step 6: Assemble sliders by piling generous portions of the pulled pork onto each bun bottom and topping with the bun tops. Serve immediately while warm and juicy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoky Mustard and Brown Sugar Pulled Pork Sliders 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 Smoky Mustard and Brown Sugar 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 Mustard and Brown Sugar 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 Mustard and Brown Sugar 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 Mustard and Brown Sugar 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.
