Tiki-Inspired Spiced Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-cooked pulled pork infused with warm spices, served on mini buns with a tangy pineapple slaw for a tropical flavor burst. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 260 minutes pairs trimmed 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 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: 20 min Cook: 240 min Serves 8 Caribbean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Mix 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a small bowl to create a spice rub.
  2. Step 2: Rub the 2 lbs pork shoulder evenly with the spice mixture. Place in a roasting pan and pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup pineapple juice around the pork.
  3. Step 3: Cover tightly with foil and roast for 3-4 hours until pork is tender and pulls apart easily.
  4. Step 4: While pork cooks, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup grated carrot, 1/2 cup finely diced fresh pineapple chunks, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Toss to make the pineapple slaw.
  5. Step 5: When pork is done, shred it with forks and mix with pan juices for moisture.
  6. Step 6: Assemble sliders by placing generous portions of pulled pork on each of the 8 mini slider buns, topping with a spoonful of pineapple slaw. Serve immediately for a tropical Tiki feast.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Tiki-Inspired Spiced Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 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 Tiki-Inspired Spiced Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw?

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 trimmed pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tiki-Inspired Spiced Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw?

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 Tiki-Inspired Spiced Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw 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 Tiki-Inspired Spiced Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw?

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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