Pulled Pork Doughnut Hole Sliders

Name: Pulled Pork Doughnut Hole Sliders
Prep time: 55 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 55 min
Yield: 5 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 bottle (2 liters) root beer; 1-1/2 cups barbecue sauce; 1-1/2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot; 1 bone-in pork shoulder roast (about 3 pounds); SLAW:; 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip; 2 tablespoons white vinegar; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 1 package (14 ounces) coleslaw mix; ASSEMBLY:; 60 plain doughnut holes; 60 appetizer skewers; Additional barbecue sauce, optional

This slider recipe was created by accident when we had a surplus of root beer from a party. Now we can't have barbecue any other way! —Eden Dranger, Los Angeles, California

Ingredients

1 bottle (2 liters) root beer
1-1/2 cups barbecue sauce
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
1 bone-in pork shoulder roast (about 3 pounds)
SLAW:
1/2 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 package (14 ounces) coleslaw mix
ASSEMBLY:
60 plain doughnut holes
60 appetizer skewers
Additional barbecue sauce, optional

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring root beer to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high; cook, uncovered, until liquid is reduced by half, 30-45 minutes. Transfer to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Stir in barbecue sauce, salt and ginger. Add roast, turning to coat.
Cook, covered, on low until pork is tender, 8-10 hours. For slaw, in a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, vinegar and syrup. Stir in coleslaw mix. Refrigerate, covered, until flavors are blended, at least 1 hour.
Remove pork from slow cooker; skim fat from cooking juices. Remove meat from bones; shred with two forks. Return juices and pork to slow cooker; heat through.
To serve, cut doughnut holes in half; cut a thin slice off bottoms to level. Serve pork and slaw in doughnut holes; secure with skewers. If desired, serve with additional barbecue sauce.
Freeze option: Freeze cooled pork mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a covered saucepan, stirring gently.

Test Kitchen tips

Serve these sliders assembled or keep the meat hot on a buffet table with all the fixings and have guests make their own.

The root beer adds flavor to the shredded meat, but doesn’t make it too sweet.