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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
