Tender slow-cooked pulled pork piled high on soft slider buns with a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, these BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders are the ultimate crowd-pleasing comfort food. Perfect for game days, cookouts, or casual gatherings, they combine melt-in-your-mouth meat with rich, bold flavors in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortlessly Delicious: The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, producing tender, flavorful pork with minimal effort.
- Perfect for a Crowd: Makes 12 hearty sliders—great for parties, potlucks, and family meals.
- Versatile Serving: Serve with classic coleslaw, lettuce, or your favorite toppings.
- Freezer-Friendly: Pulled pork stores and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep.
- Classic BBQ Flavor: Sweet, smoky, and just a little tangy—everything you want in a barbecue dish.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
2.5 lbs pork shoulder (boneless)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup barbecue sauce (plus extra for serving)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 slider buns or small brioche rolls
1 cup shredded lettuce or coleslaw (optional)
Directions
- In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice mixture all over the pork shoulder.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork on all sides until well browned, about 3–4 minutes per side.
- Transfer the pork to a slow cooker. Add the chicken broth and half of the barbecue sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4–5 hours, until the pork is tender and shreds easily.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker, shred it using two forks, and return it to the cooker. Add the remaining barbecue sauce and stir to combine.
- Toast the slider buns or brioche rolls if desired.
- Assemble each slider by layering the pulled pork and optional shredded lettuce or coleslaw.
- Drizzle with extra barbecue sauce and serve warm.
Servings and timing
Servings: 12 sliders
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 8 hours (slow cooker)
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Calories per Serving: 365 kcal
Variations
- Spicy BBQ: Add cayenne pepper or chipotle powder to the spice rub for extra heat.
- Cheesy Sliders: Add a slice of sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese before closing the slider.
- Hawaiian Style: Serve on sweet Hawaiian rolls and top with pineapple slaw.
- Pickled Toppings: Add sliced pickles or pickled red onions for tang and crunch.
- Tex-Mex Twist: Mix in taco seasoning and top with jalapeños and avocado.
Storage/Reheating
Storage: Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Pulled pork can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before placing in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth or barbecue sauce. Alternatively, microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of pork?
Yes, pork butt (also called Boston butt) is another excellent option for pulled pork.
Is it necessary to sear the pork before slow cooking?
Searing adds extra flavor through caramelization, but it can be skipped if you’re short on time.
What’s the best barbecue sauce for this recipe?
Any thick, smoky-sweet barbecue sauce works well. Choose one based on your taste preference—store-bought or homemade.
Can I cook this recipe in the oven instead?
Yes. Cover the pork in a Dutch oven and bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 3.5–4 hours or until fork-tender.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. Cook the pork a day in advance, store it in the fridge, and reheat when ready to serve.
What are the best buns for sliders?
Soft slider buns, brioche rolls, or Hawaiian rolls are ideal. Toasting them adds extra texture.
Can I double the recipe for a large group?
Yes. Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to accommodate the increased amount of pork.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes. Freeze the pulled pork in a portioned container and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Can I make this without a slow cooker?
Yes, it can be made in an Instant Pot or in the oven. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
What side dishes go well with pulled pork sliders?
Classic sides include coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob, or pickles.
Conclusion
These BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders are a must-try for any barbecue lover. With tender, slow-cooked meat and bold smoky flavor, they’re the perfect addition to any casual gathering, potluck, or weekend indulgence. Whether topped with crisp slaw or served as-is, each bite is guaranteed to satisfy.
PrintBBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender, slow-cooked pulled pork simmered in smoky barbecue sauce and piled high on soft slider buns. Perfect for parties, game day, or family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs pork shoulder (boneless)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (plus extra for serving)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 slider buns or small brioche rolls
- 1 cup shredded lettuce or coleslaw (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Rub all over the pork shoulder.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork on all sides until browned, about 3–4 minutes per side.
- Transfer pork to a slow cooker. Add chicken broth and half the barbecue sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4–5 hours, until pork is tender and shreds easily.
- Remove pork, shred with two forks, and return to the slow cooker. Add remaining BBQ sauce and stir to coat.
- Toast slider buns if desired. Assemble by layering pulled pork and lettuce or slaw.
- Drizzle with extra BBQ sauce and serve warm.
Notes
- Use brioche buns for a sweeter, richer slider base.
- For extra smokiness, add a dash of liquid smoke to the sauce.
- Serve with pickles or jalapeños for a tangy kick.
- Pork can also be cooked in an Instant Pot on high pressure for 90 minutes.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3–4 days or frozen up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg