Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender pulled pork simmered in a smoky barbecue sauce, served on mini buns for perfect handheld sliders. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 315 minutes pairs pork shoulder (boneless), brown sugar, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 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 (boneless)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 12 mini slider buns
- 1/2 cup sliced pickles
- 1 cup coleslaw
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mixture evenly all over 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Place pork shoulder in a slow cooker and pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar over the top. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours until pork is very tender and shreds easily.
- Step 3: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Discard any large pieces of fat. Stir in 1 cup barbecue sauce until pork is fully coated.
- Step 4: To assemble, place generous portions of pulled pork on 12 mini slider buns. Top each with 1 tbsp sliced pickles and 2 tbsp coleslaw. Serve warm as hearty sliders.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Pulled Pork Sliders take to make?
Total time is about 315 minutes (15 min prep + 300 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 Sweet and Smoky Barbecue 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 (boneless) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet and Smoky Barbecue 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 Sweet and Smoky Barbecue 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 Sweet and Smoky Barbecue 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.
