Tangy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Featured in: Fun Weekend Treats

This dish features tender pulled pork shoulder slow-cooked in a tangy barbecue sauce blending tomato ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and spices. Served on soft slider buns, the pork is topped with a crunchy cabbage and carrot slaw lightly dressed with mayonnaise, vinegar, and mustard. The combination balances rich smoky flavors with fresh crisp textures, making perfect handheld bites. Optional butter toasts buns for added warmth and slight crispiness.

Careful seasoning with smoked paprika, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper infuses the meat before cooking slowly to tender perfection. Slaw brings a refreshing counterpoint, combining shredded green and purple cabbage with carrot, and a subtly sweet and tangy dressing. This dish yields about a dozen sliders, ideal for gatherings. Adjust spice level or add pickles or jalapeños for extra zing. A satisfying American-inspired main dish for sharing.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 11:46:00 GMT
Tender Tangy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders topped with crunchy slaw on soft buns.  Save
Tender Tangy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders topped with crunchy slaw on soft buns. | flavza.com

Tender pulled pork slow-cooked in a tangy barbecue sauce, served on soft slider buns with a crunchy slaw for the perfect bite-sized sandwich.

This cozy chicken stew brings warmth and comfort to every family dinner table.

Ingredients

  • Pork & Rub: 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) boneless pork shoulder, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper, ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Tangy BBQ Sauce: 1 cup tomato ketchup, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional), 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper
  • Slaw: 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded purple cabbage, 1 medium carrot, grated, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, ½ tsp sugar, Salt & pepper, to taste
  • Assembly: 12 slider buns, 1 tbsp melted butter (optional for toasting)

Instructions

Step 1:
Mix the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder.
Step 2:
Place the pork in a slow cooker. In a separate bowl, whisk together all BBQ sauce ingredients. Pour half of the sauce over the pork, reserving the rest.
Step 3:
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is very tender and shreds easily.
Step 4:
While the pork cooks, prepare the slaw by tossing together both cabbages, carrot, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 5:
Once the pork is cooked, remove from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Discard excess fat. Return shredded pork to the cooker and mix with the cooking juices and reserved BBQ sauce.
Step 6:
Optional: Brush slider buns with melted butter and toast lightly in a pan or oven until golden.
Step 7:
To assemble, pile pulled pork onto the bottom half of each slider bun. Top with a generous spoonful of slaw, then cap with the top bun. Serve immediately.
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This recipe has been a family favorite for weekend gatherings and parties.

Required Tools

Slow cooker or Dutch oven, large mixing bowls, sharp knife and cutting board, forks for shredding, tongs

Allergen Information

Contains gluten (slider buns), egg (mayonnaise), and possibly soy (Worcestershire sauce). Use gluten-free buns and egg-free mayo if needed. Always check ingredient labels for allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 320 per slider, Total Fat: 13 g, Carbohydrates: 32 g, Protein: 18 g

Deliciously shredded Tangy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders layered with zesty slaw and rich sauce.  Pin it
Deliciously shredded Tangy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders layered with zesty slaw and rich sauce. | flavza.com

This dish is perfect for sharing with friends and enjoying the rich, tangy flavors together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cut of pork is best for this dish?

Boneless pork shoulder is ideal due to its marbling and tenderness when slow-cooked, allowing it to shred easily.

How long should the pork be cooked?

Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the pork is tender enough to shred effortlessly with forks.

Can I prepare the sauce in advance?

Yes, the tangy barbecue sauce can be whisked together ahead of time and refrigerated to enhance flavor.

What can I use to toast the slider buns?

Brush buns with melted butter and lightly toast them in a pan or oven until golden and slightly crisp.

Are there any alternatives for the slaw dressing?

For a lighter option, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to maintain creaminess with fewer calories.

Tangy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Tender pulled pork slow-cooked in tangy sauce with crunchy slaw on soft buns.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
360 Minutes
Total Time
380 Minutes

Category: Fun Weekend Treats

Difficulty: Medium

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

Pork & Rub

01 3.3 lbs boneless pork shoulder
02 1 tbsp brown sugar
03 2 tsp smoked paprika
04 1 tsp garlic powder
05 1 tsp onion powder
06 1 tsp salt
07 ½ tsp ground black pepper
08 ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Tangy BBQ Sauce

01 1 cup tomato ketchup
02 ½ cup apple cider vinegar
03 ¼ cup brown sugar
04 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
05 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
06 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
07 1 tsp garlic powder
08 ½ tsp salt
09 ½ tsp black pepper

Slaw

01 2 cups shredded green cabbage
02 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
03 1 medium carrot, grated
04 2 tbsp mayonnaise
05 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
06 1 tsp Dijon mustard
07 ½ tsp sugar
08 Salt and pepper, to taste

Assembly

01 12 slider buns
02 1 tbsp melted butter (optional, for toasting)

Instructions

Step 01

Prepare the spice rub: Combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl, then rub evenly over the pork shoulder.

Step 02

Add pork and sauce to cooker: Place the pork in the slow cooker. Whisk all BBQ sauce ingredients in a separate bowl, pour half over the pork, reserving the remainder.

Step 03

Cook pork slowly: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until pork is tender and easily shredded.

Step 04

Prepare slaw: While pork cooks, mix green and purple cabbages, grated carrot, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate until needed.

Step 05

Shred and mix pork: Remove pork from cooker, shred with forks discarding excess fat. Return shredded pork to cooker and stir in cooking juices and reserved BBQ sauce.

Step 06

Toast slider buns (optional): Brush slider buns with melted butter and toast lightly in a pan or oven until golden brown.

Step 07

Assemble sliders: Place pulled pork on bottom halves of slider buns, top with slaw, then cover with top halves. Serve immediately.

Tools You'll Need

  • Slow cooker or Dutch oven
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Sharp knife and cutting board
  • Forks for shredding
  • Tongs

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten (slider buns), egg (mayonnaise), and possibly soy (Worcestershire sauce). Use gluten-free buns and egg-free mayonnaise if necessary.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 13 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 32 g
  • Protein: 18 g