Tropical Rum-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-cooked pulled pork glazed in a sweet and tangy tropical rum sauce, served on soft slider buns for a casual Tiki-inspired feast. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, dark rum, pineapple juice 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: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 8 Caribbean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a slow cooker, place 2 lbs pork shoulder and season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder evenly.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup dark rum, 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 2 tbsp soy sauce until sugar dissolves.
  3. Step 3: Pour the rum glaze over the pork shoulder in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is very tender and shreds easily.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks, then return shredded pork to the slow cooker and toss with remaining cooking liquid to coat thoroughly.
  5. Step 5: Toast 8 slider buns lightly and pile each with a generous scoop of rum-glazed pulled pork; top with 1/8 cup coleslaw per slider if using for added crunch.
  6. Step 6: Serve warm with tropical drink pairings for a festive island-inspired meal.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Tropical Rum-Glazed 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 Tropical Rum-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 Tropical Rum-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 Tropical Rum-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 Tropical Rum-Glazed Pulled Pork Sliders?

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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