Sweet and Tangy Bourbon-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders
Slow-cooked pulled pork with a rich bourbon glaze, served on soft slider buns for a fun and flavorful handheld meal perfect for game day or casual gatherings. This american-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 pork shoulder
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup bourbon whiskey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 8 slider buns
- 1 cup (optional) coleslaw
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 1 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder in a small bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over 2 lbs pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Place the pork shoulder into a slow cooker. Pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar over the meat.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the pork is tender and pulls apart easily.
- Step 4: While pork cooks, mix 1/3 cup bourbon whiskey, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup ketchup, and 2 tbsp yellow mustard in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until thickened into a glaze.
- Step 5: When pork is done, shred with two forks directly in the slow cooker, then stir in the bourbon glaze until the meat is evenly coated.
- Step 6: Toast 8 slider buns lightly on a griddle or skillet until golden.
- Step 7: Assemble sliders by piling the bourbon-glazed pulled pork on the buns, topping with 1 cup coleslaw if desired, and serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet and Tangy Bourbon-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 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 Sweet and Tangy Bourbon-Glazed 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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet and Tangy Bourbon-Glazed 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 Tangy Bourbon-Glazed 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 Sweet and Tangy Bourbon-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders?
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.
