Description
A straightforward recipe for making tender, flavorful pulled pork using a slow cooker, perfect for serving on slider buns.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lb pork shoulder (Boston butt)
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 cups your favorite BBQ sauce (plus more for serving)
- 12 slider buns
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 cup coleslaw (optional topping)
- Dill pickle slices (optional topping)
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder. Rub the pork evenly with brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Place the seasoned pork in a slow cooker. Pour apple cider vinegar and water around the pork.
- Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the pork is easily shredded with a fork.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Shred the meat using two forks. Discard any large pieces of fat.
- Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of BBQ sauce. Keep warm on the ‘Keep Warm’ setting for at least 30 minutes to allow the meat to absorb the sauce.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Slice the slider buns in half horizontally, keeping the top and bottom connected if possible. Brush the cut sides of both the top and bottom buns lightly with melted butter.
- Place the buttered buns, cut-side up, on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Assemble the sliders: Place a generous portion of the sauced pulled pork onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with coleslaw and a pickle slice, if using. Place the top bun on.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can prepare the pulled pork up to two days ahead. Store the shredded meat and sauce mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat slowly in the slow cooker or a pot on the stovetop.
- For a smoky flavor without a smoker, add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke to the slow cooker liquid before cooking.
- If you prefer a crispier texture, after saucing the pork, spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes before assembling the sandwiches.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 9 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 95