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Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders for Game Day

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These Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders for Game Day are the kind of recipe that makes you look like a hero with almost zero effort. The meat comes out tender, smoky, and saucy every single time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 to 5 pounds pork shoulder
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 12 to 14 slider buns
  • Coleslaw mix
  • Pickles (dill pickles, sliced thin)
  • Butter (for toasting the buns)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
  2. Heat the olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully place the pork shoulder in the hot pan. Sear for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, until a deep brown crust forms.
  3. Pour the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar into the hot skillet, scraping up all those browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for about a minute, then pour the whole thing into the slow cooker.
  4. Place the seared pork shoulder into the slow cooker. Add the Worcestershire sauce. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours. The meat is ready when it shreds effortlessly with a fork.
  5. While the pork cooks, combine all the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low and let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
  6. Once the pork is done, carefully transfer it to a large cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Discard any large chunks of fat.
  7. Pour about 1 cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker over the shredded pork. Then add about 1 cup of your homemade BBQ sauce and toss everything together.
  8. Split your slider buns and butter the cut sides. Place them on a baking sheet under the broiler for about 1 to 2 minutes, until golden brown.
  9. Pile the pulled pork onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with coleslaw and a couple of pickle slices. Put the top bun on and press down gently. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip the sear. Use a meat thermometer (internal temp 200°F to 205°F). Let the pork rest in the sauce for 10 minutes before serving. Double the sauce if desired. Keep warm in slow cooker on WARM setting.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker pulled pork, pulled pork sliders, game day recipe, pulled pork, BBQ sliders

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