In this pulled pork sliders recipe, slow-cooked pork is infused with honey barbecue sauce, warming cumin and smoky chipotles in adobo sauce. The sweet-and-smoky pork pairs perfectly with a Caribbean-inspired coleslaw made with mango, pineapple and lime juice. It’s such a fun twist on a barbecue pork slider!
Slider recipes are great for parties and game-day gatherings, for lunch or for dinner. They taste great on soft Hawaiian rolls, and you can also serve them on larger buns as a regular-sized sandwich. So get the napkins ready. It’s almost time to chow down!
What is the best cut of pork for pulled pork?
The best type of pork for pulled pork comes from the shoulder area. Look for the pork butt (from the top of the pork shoulder) or the picnic roast (from the bottom of the pork shoulder). These cuts have plenty of fat and connective tissue to keep the meat juicy and moist, and they shred like a dream.
Ingredients for Pork Sliders
- Boneless pork shoulder butt roast: We use a slow cooker to make this pork roast pull-apart tender. If you have leftovers on hand, feel free to use the pulled pork from another recipe.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: These cans combine dried, smoked jalapenos with a tangy spiced tomato sauce. The jalapenos can be spicy on their own, but this pork won’t turn out too spicy. Instead, it’s perfectly warm and smoky. You won’t need the whole can, so reserve any leftovers for these ways to use chipotle peppers in adobo.
- Honey barbecue sauce: The sweetness in honey barbecue sauce balances out the warm flavors from the chipotles and cumin.
- Ground cumin: Cumin is warming, nutty and slightly peppery.
- Coleslaw for pork sliders: This fresh coleslaw has some serious tropical vibes! Our mayonnaise-free coleslaw features red cabbage, mango, pineapple tidbits, cilantro and lime juice.
- Hawaiian sweet rolls: Hawaiian rolls give the sliders a soft texture and sweet finish. Toasting the rolls ensures the buns won’t get soggy.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the pork
Place the onion in a 5-quart slow cooker. Cut the pork shoulder roast in half, and place it over the onion.
Step 2: Make the sauce
In a small bowl, stir together the chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, barbecue sauce, water, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper.
Step 3: Slow-cook the pork
Pour the sauce over the meat. Cook, covered, on low for 8 to 10 hours or until the meat is tender.
Editor’s Tip: Pork shoulder will be tender enough to slice when it reaches an internal temperature of 190°F. For extra-tender, shreddable pork, wait until the meat thermometer reads closer to 205°.
Step 4: Skim the fat
Remove the roast from the slow cooker, and discard the onions. Skim the fat from the cooking juices.
Step 5: Shred the pork
Allow the roast to cool slightly. Shred it with two forks. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker, and heat through.
Step 6: Mix the coleslaw
In a large bowl, toss together the cabbage, mango, pineapple, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper.
Editor’s Tip: If you have time, let the coleslaw sit, covered, for an hour in the refrigerator. This chilling step helps the flavors come together.
Step 7: Assemble the pork sliders
Place 1/4 cup pork mixture on each roll bottom. Top each with 2 tablespoons coleslaw, and replace the tops.
How do you keep pork sliders warm?
If you’re serving pork sliders for a party, you can keep them warm for up to two hours as long as you keep the pork’s temperature above 135°. For a DIY slider assembly where guests assemble their own sliders, keep the pork covered in the slow cooker using the appliance’s warm setting. If you prefer to prepare all the sliders at once, transfer them to a covered pan, and keep warm in a 170° oven.
Recipe Variations
- Add a buttery topping: Assemble the sliders in a baking dish but leave the coleslaw on the side. Glaze the top of the slider buns with melted savory herb butter, then bake them in a 350° oven like we do for these Cuban sliders. Finish the sliders with the coleslaw just before serving.
- Change the roll: You can use any kind of slider bun for these sandwiches. Try potato rolls, sweet potato buns or brioche.
- Swap in another meat: These pork sliders would taste fantastic with shredded rotisserie chicken, leftover turkey or brisket.
- Add cheese: To give these sliders an ooey-gooey finish, pop the buns under the broiler with a slice of cheese. Cheddar, pepper jack, Havarti, Swiss or mozzarella would all work well here.
- Use another cooking method: If you don’t have a slow cooker (or don’t want to use one), try making smoked pork butt, Dutch oven pulled pork or pressure-cooker pulled pork.
Can you make pork sliders ahead of time?
We don’t recommend assembling the sliders too far ahead of time. The bread will get soggy after about an hour. If you want to plan these ahead, make the pulled pork up to three days ahead of time. Shred the meat, and store it with the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, reheat the pork in a saucepan until it’s warmed through.
How to Store Pork Sliders
Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The coleslaw will last for up to five days in the refrigerator. It can become watery and lose its crunchy texture over time, so we recommend using it within two days for the best quality.
Can you freeze pork sliders?
Coleslaw does not freeze well, so we don’t recommend freezing these sliders once they’re assembled. However, you can freeze leftover pulled pork in an airtight container for up to six months. Thaw the frozen pork in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat as directed.
Pork Sliders Tips
What do you put on pulled pork sliders?
The most important component of a pork slider is the pulled pork! We make ours from scratch, but leftover pork works just as well. From there, we like to add a crunchy topping to contrast the soft pork. Look for a crunchy coleslaw with sweet and tangy elements to balance out the meat’s richness. Other great toppings for pork sliders include pickles, cheese, caramelized onions and spicy jalapenos.
How many pork sliders do you need per person?
Officially, the serving size for these sliders is one per person. But these are so delicious, you might want to assume two to three sliders per person, depending on how many side dishes you’re serving!
What should you serve with pulled pork sliders?
Serve pork sliders alongside other party appetizers and popular potluck dip recipes. For lunch or dinner, we like to serve sliders with macaroni salad, baked beans or potato salad.
