Texas-Style Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked in smoky barbecue sauce, served on mini buns with tangy coleslaw. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs pounds pork shoulder, tablespoons brown sugar, tablespoon smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1.5 pounds pork shoulder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 8 slider buns
- 1/2 cup coleslaw
Instructions
- Step 1: Mix 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
- Step 2: Rub spice mixture evenly over 1.5 pounds pork shoulder.
- Step 3: Place pork in slow cooker, top with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, and cook on low for 8 hours until tender.
- Step 4: Shred pork with forks, return to slow cooker, and stir to coat in sauce.
- Step 5: Assemble sliders by placing shredded pork on 8 slider buns, topping with 1/8 cup coleslaw each.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Texas-Style Pulled Pork Sliders 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 Texas-Style 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 pounds pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Texas-Style 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 Texas-Style Pulled Pork Sliders for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Texas-Style Pulled Pork Sliders?
American slow cooker 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made these for a barbecue party and they were a hit with everyone. The slow cooker made it so effortless!
- ★★★★★
The pork was so tender and flavorful, my kids devoured these sliders! Made them for a family picnic and they were a hit.
- ★★★★☆
Perfect, but the sauce was slightly bland for my taste. Next time I'll add more cumin.
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