Spiced Maui-Style Pulled Pork Sliders
Slow-cooked pulled pork infused with tropical spices and served on soft slider buns, topped with a tangy pineapple slaw for a sweet and savory bite. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 495 minutes pairs trimmed pork shoulder, brown sugar, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 2 lbs, trimmed pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 8 slider buns
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped pineapple
- 1 cup, shredded red cabbage
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp, fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice blend evenly over 2 lbs trimmed pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker, pour 1 cup pineapple juice and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar around it. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork is tender and shreddable.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare pineapple slaw by combining 1/2 cup finely chopped pineapple, 1 cup shredded red cabbage, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 1 tsp honey in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate.
- Step 4: When pork is done, shred it using two forks and mix with the cooking juices in the slow cooker to keep moist.
- Step 5: To assemble, toast 8 slider buns lightly. Pile each with a generous portion of pulled pork and top with pineapple slaw. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Maui-Style 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 Spiced Maui-Style 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 trimmed pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Maui-Style 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 Spiced Maui-Style Pulled Pork Sliders for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Spiced Maui-Style Pulled Pork Sliders?
Caribbean 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.
