Tiki-Style Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw

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

Tender smoked pulled pork dressed in a tangy tiki-inspired sauce, served on mini buns with a crunchy pineapple and cabbage slaw for a vibrant tropical sandwich. This caribbean-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 500 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 12 Caribbean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Mix 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Rub this spice mixture evenly over 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to 225°F. Smoke pork shoulder for 6-8 hours until internal temperature reaches 195°F and meat is tender enough to pull apart easily.
  3. Step 3: While pork smokes, prepare tiki-inspired sauce by whisking together 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup pineapple juice, 1/4 cup ketchup, and 2 tbsp yellow mustard in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp honey, and 1/2 tsp salt to make pineapple slaw.
  5. Step 5: When pork is done, shred it with two forks, discarding any large fat pieces. Toss shredded pork with half of the tiki sauce.
  6. Step 6: To assemble sliders, split 12 mini slider buns, pile with pulled pork, top with pineapple slaw, and drizzle with remaining tiki sauce for a tropical tiki-style sandwich experience.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Tiki-Style Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw 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 Tiki-Style Smoked 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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tiki-Style Smoked 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-Style Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw 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 Tiki-Style Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with Pineapple Slaw?

Caribbean 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.