Spiced Pineapple and Southern BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender pulled pork slow-cooked in a spiced barbecue sauce paired with sweet pineapple, served on mini slider buns. This southern american-inspired pork ready in about 255 minutes pairs pineapple juice, bbq sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 and cut into large chunks pork shoulder
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup bbq sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 mini slider buns
- 4 rings, sliced into quarters pineapple rings
- 1 cup, for topping coleslaw
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a slow cooker, place 2 lbs trimmed pork shoulder chunks. In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup pineapple juice, 1 cup bbq sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Pour the spiced pineapple BBQ sauce over the pork, ensuring pieces are coated. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until pork is tender and shreds easily.
- Step 3: About 15 minutes before serving, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté 4 pineapple rings cut into quarters until caramelized and golden, about 2 minutes per side.
- Step 4: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks, then mix back into the sauce in the slow cooker.
- Step 5: Assemble sliders by placing shredded pork on 8 mini slider buns, topping with caramelized pineapple pieces and 1 cup coleslaw evenly divided.
- Step 6: Serve warm for a sweet and smoky Southern-inspired bite.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Pineapple and Southern BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders take to make?
Total time is about 255 minutes (15 min prep + 240 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 Pineapple and Southern BBQ 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 pineapple juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Pineapple and Southern BBQ 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 Pineapple and Southern BBQ 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 Pineapple and Southern BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders?
Southern 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.
