Spiced Rum-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Pineapple

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-cooked pulled pork glazed with spiced rum sauce and topped with tangy pickled pineapple, served on soft slider buns for a Tiki-inspired bite. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, spiced rum, 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 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 8 Caribbean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup spiced rum, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create a marinade.
  2. Step 2: Place 2 lbs pork shoulder in a slow cooker and pour the marinade over it. Cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is tender and falls apart easily.
  3. Step 3: While the pork cooks, prepare pickled pineapple by combining 1 cup pineapple chunks, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.
  4. Step 4: Once the pork is done, shred it using two forks and toss with the cooking juices for extra flavor.
  5. Step 5: To assemble sliders, split 8 mini slider buns and fill each with a generous scoop of pulled pork, a spoonful of pickled pineapple, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Rum-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Pineapple 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 Rum-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Pineapple?

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 Spiced Rum-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Pineapple?

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 Rum-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Pineapple 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 Rum-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Pineapple?

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.

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