Whiskey-Infused Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender pulled pork simmered in a smoky bourbon barbecue sauce, served on soft slider buns with crunchy coleslaw for a perfect balance of savory and tangy flavors. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 260 minutes pairs pork shoulder, bourbon whiskey, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 12 slider buns
- 3 cups coleslaw mix
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for slaw)
- 1 tsp sugar (for slaw)
- 1/4 tsp salt (for slaw)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (for slaw)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Combine 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Rub this spice mix all over 3 lbs pork shoulder, coating evenly.
- Step 2: Place the pork shoulder in a roasting pan and pour 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey around it. Cover tightly with foil and roast in the oven for 4 hours until the pork is very tender and shreds easily.
- Step 3: While pork cooks, prepare BBQ sauce by mixing 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tbsp yellow mustard in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until thickened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Remove pork from oven and shred with two forks in the roasting pan, mixing in the bourbon-infused pan juices. Pour the BBQ sauce over shredded pork and stir to combine.
- Step 5: For coleslaw, toss 3 cups coleslaw mix with 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl until creamy and well coated.
- Step 6: Assemble sliders by placing a generous scoop of pulled pork on each of 12 slider buns, topping with a spoonful of coleslaw, and serving immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Whiskey-Infused Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders 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 Whiskey-Infused Bourbon BBQ 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 Whiskey-Infused Bourbon BBQ 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 Whiskey-Infused Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders 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 Whiskey-Infused Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders?
American 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.
