Juicy Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe Easy Homemade Smoky BBQ Sauce
These juicy pulled pork sliders feature tender slow-cooked pork shoulder paired with a smoky, flavorful barbecue sauce. Perfect for parties, casual dinners, or game day snacks, they offer a nostalgic comfort food experience with minimal fuss.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours (slow cooker low) or 4-6 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes to 10 hours 20 minutes (slow cooker low) or 4 hours 20 minutes to 6 hours 20 minutes (slow cooker high)
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (also called pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Slider buns, lightly toasted (brioche or potato buns recommended)
- Coleslaw (optional)
- Pickles (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mix all over the pork, covering every nook and cranny. (Prep time: 10 minutes)
- Place the seasoned pork into a slow cooker. Pour 1 cup chicken broth around the pork (not directly on top). Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours until pork is tender enough to shred easily.
- While the pork cooks, whisk together ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and liquid smoke in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust salt or sweetness to taste.
- Transfer cooked pork to a large bowl. Shred finely using two forks or meat claws, discarding large pieces of fat. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker with juices and stir in half to three-quarters of the barbecue sauce to taste. (10 minutes)
- Heat a cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Lightly butter the insides of slider buns and toast until golden brown and slightly crispy. (5 minutes)
- Assemble sliders by piling pulled pork on the bottom half of each bun. Add a spoonful of coleslaw if desired, drizzle with extra barbecue sauce, and top with pickles. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately. (10 minutes)
Notes
Save some cooking liquid from the slow cooker to moisten pork if it dries out. Toast buns just before serving to prevent sogginess. The barbecue sauce can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to a week. For a quicker version, use an Instant Pot pressure cooker for 1 hour on high pressure with natural release. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns and verify Worcestershire sauce ingredients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: pulled pork sliders, smoky barbecue sauce, slow cooker pulled pork, easy pulled pork recipe, party sliders, game day food, comfort food