Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe Easy Perfect Tailgating Snack Ideas
These pulled pork sliders are a crowd-pleasing, easy-to-make snack perfect for tailgating or casual gatherings, featuring tender, smoky pork with a tangy barbecue sauce on soft slider buns.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours (slow cooker low) or 5-6 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes to 10 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker low) or 5 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker high)
- Yield: 12-16 sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–5 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (50 g)
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika (15 g)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder (8 g)
- 1 tablespoon onion powder (8 g)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (7 g)
- 1 tablespoon salt (18 g)
- 2 teaspoons black pepper (4 g)
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (60 ml)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (240 ml)
- 12–16 slider buns
- Optional toppings: coleslaw, pickles, sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Prepare the dry rub by combining brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix well.
- Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder if needed, leaving some fat for flavor. Rub the dry spice mixture all over the pork, pressing it in so it sticks. Let sit for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the fridge.
- Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Pour apple cider vinegar around the pork (not directly on top). Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours until tender.
- Remove pork from slow cooker and shred using two forks or meat claws, discarding large chunks of fat.
- Mix 1 cup of cooking juices from the slow cooker with 1 cup barbecue sauce. Toss shredded pork in this mixture until well coated. Add more sauce if desired.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place slider buns on a baking sheet and warm for 5-7 minutes until soft and slightly toasted.
- Assemble sliders by spooning pulled pork onto bottom halves of buns. Add optional toppings like coleslaw, pickles, or jalapeños. Top with bun lids and serve immediately.
Notes
For faster cooking, roast pork shoulder at 300°F (150°C) for 4-5 hours covered with foil. Instant Pot can be used on high pressure for 60-75 minutes. Keep pulled pork and buns separate until serving to avoid sogginess. Warm buns before assembling. Adjust sauce amount to preference. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. For less sugar, use low-sugar barbecue sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 250300
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 18
Keywords: pulled pork sliders, tailgating snacks, slow cooker pulled pork, barbecue sliders, easy pulled pork recipe, football game food