Sweet and Tangy Pulled Pork Sliders with Coleslaw
Slow-cooked pulled pork in a sweet and tangy sauce, piled high on soft slider buns with crisp homemade coleslaw. This american-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, brown sugar, smoked paprika 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, boneless pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- 8 small slider buns
- 2 cups, shredded green cabbage
- 1 medium, shredded carrot
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (coleslaw)
- 1/4 tsp salt (coleslaw)
- 1/8 tsp black pepper (coleslaw)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix all over 2 lbs pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Place pork in a slow cooker and pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, and 1 tbsp honey over it. Cook on low for 8 hours until pork is tender and easily shredded.
- Step 3: While pork cooks, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 shredded medium carrot, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate.
- Step 4: When pork is done, shred with two forks and mix with the cooking juices.
- Step 5: Assemble sliders by placing a generous scoop of pulled pork on each of the 8 slider buns and topping with a spoonful of coleslaw. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet and Tangy Pulled Pork Sliders with Coleslaw 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 Pulled Pork Sliders with Coleslaw?
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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet and Tangy Pulled Pork Sliders with Coleslaw?
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 Pulled Pork Sliders with Coleslaw 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 Pulled Pork Sliders with Coleslaw?
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.
