Mini Pulled Pork Sliders

Mini Pulled Pork Sliders are the ultimate comfort food — juicy, tender pulled pork slow-cooked to perfection and piled high on soft slider buns, topped with creamy coleslaw and tangy barbecue sauce. These bite-sized sandwiches pack all the flavor of classic pulled pork in a fun, shareable size that’s perfect for parties, game days, or family gatherings.

Each slider bursts with smoky, savory-sweet BBQ flavor, balanced by the cool crunch of coleslaw. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want a comforting weekend meal, these sliders deliver big flavor in every small bite.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s the perfect mix of comfort, flavor, and fun. The slow-cooked pork is melt-in-your-mouth tender, the BBQ sauce adds that perfect smoky tang, and the coleslaw gives it a fresh, crunchy contrast.

Plus, these mini sandwiches are great for entertaining — they look adorable, are easy to grab and eat, and you can make everything ahead of time.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Incredibly flavorful: Slow-cooked pork absorbs every bit of seasoning and BBQ sauce.
• Perfect party food: Bite-sized and easy to serve.
• Make-ahead friendly: Pulled pork tastes even better the next day.
• Crowd-pleaser: Everyone loves tender, saucy sliders!
• Customizable: You can use different BBQ sauces or toppings to make it your own.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 6–8 hours (slow cooker) or 3 hours (oven)
• Total Time: 6½–8½ hours

Servings and Calories

• Servings: 12–14 sliders
• Calories: Approximately 290 kcal per slider (including bun and slaw)

Cuisine and Course

• Cuisine: American / Southern
• Course: Appetizer / Snack / Main Course

Ingredients

For the Pulled Pork:

• 2½ lbs (1.1 kg) boneless pork shoulder (pork butt)
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• ½ cup chicken broth or water
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Sliders:

• 12–14 slider buns or small dinner rolls
• 1 cup additional barbecue sauce (for serving)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing buns)

For the Coleslaw (optional but recommended):

• 2 cups shredded cabbage (green or mixed)
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Season and cook pork until tender (slow cooker or oven).
2. Shred the meat and mix with BBQ sauce.
3. Make coleslaw and toast buns.
4. Assemble sliders with pulled pork, slaw, and extra BBQ sauce.

Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare the Pork

1. In a small bowl, combine paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
2. Rub the spice mix all over the pork shoulder.
3. Place sliced onions and garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker (or oven-safe pot).
4. Place pork on top and pour in chicken broth, vinegar, and barbecue sauce.

Step 2: Cook the Pork

Slow Cooker Method (Recommended)

• Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4–5 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender.

Oven Method

• Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F).
• Cover the pot tightly with a lid or foil.
• Roast for 3–3½ hours, until fork-tender.

Step 3: Shred the Pork

1. Remove the pork from the cooker and transfer to a large bowl.
2. Shred it using two forks.
3. Skim any excess fat from the cooking liquid and discard onions (optional).
4. Mix the shredded pork with about 1 cup of the cooking liquid and extra BBQ sauce to coat.

Step 4: Prepare the Coleslaw

1. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
2. Add shredded cabbage and carrots, then toss well to coat.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Step 5: Assemble the Sliders

1. Split the slider buns and toast lightly in a skillet or oven.
2. Brush the tops with melted butter for shine.
3. Add a scoop of pulled pork onto each bun bottom.
4. Drizzle with a little extra BBQ sauce.
5. Top with a spoonful of coleslaw and place the bun top.

Step 6: Serve

• Serve immediately while warm.
• For parties, you can keep the pork warm in a slow cooker and let guests build their own sliders!

How to Serve

• Serve these sliders fresh and warm with a side of coleslaw, pickles, or chips.
• Perfect for game days, BBQ parties, picnics, or potlucks.
• Pair with iced tea, beer, or lemonade for a classic Southern feel.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Shred pork while warm — it’s much easier.
• Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the shredded meat if you want extra tang.
• Keep buns soft by covering the sliders with foil if holding them warm.
• To make it spicy, mix a bit of hot sauce or cayenne into your BBQ sauce.
• Use Hawaiian rolls for a sweet-and-savory combo.

Variations

Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders: Add pineapple chunks and teriyaki glaze.
Spicy Chipotle Sliders: Mix chipotle in adobo sauce into the BBQ sauce.
Cheesy Sliders: Add melted cheddar or pepper jack cheese on top of the pork.
Light Version: Skip the bun and serve over lettuce as a pulled pork salad.
Chicken Version: Substitute pork with boneless chicken thighs or breasts.

Freezing and Storage

Storage:

• Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Coleslaw is best eaten fresh (can be refrigerated for 2 days).

Freezing:

• Freeze pulled pork (without sauce) for up to 2 months.
• Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove with BBQ sauce.
• Do not freeze assembled sliders — the buns will become soggy.

Special Equipment Needed

• Slow cooker or oven-safe Dutch oven
• Large mixing bowl
• Tongs or two forks (for shredding)
• Knife and cutting board
• Baking tray (for toasting buns)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I make the pork ahead of time?
Yes! Pulled pork tastes even better the next day — just store it in the fridge and reheat with a splash of BBQ sauce.

Q2. Can I use store-bought BBQ sauce?
Absolutely. Choose a high-quality smoky or tangy BBQ sauce for best results.

Q3. What type of pork is best?
Pork shoulder (also called pork butt) is ideal for tender, juicy results.

Q4. Can I make these in an Instant Pot?
Yes! Cook on High Pressure for 60 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes.

Q5. How can I make them healthier?
Use whole wheat slider buns and a light coleslaw made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo.

Conclusion

Mini Pulled Pork Sliders are the perfect combination of tender, smoky, sweet, and tangy — comfort food made miniature and irresistible. With slow-cooked, fall-apart pork, a touch of BBQ sauce, and crisp slaw between soft buttery buns, these sliders are guaranteed to steal the show at any gathering.

They’re easy to make, freezer-friendly, and endlessly customizable — ideal for everything from casual family dinners to festive parties. One bite and you’ll understand why these little sandwiches are a must-have crowd favorite on every table.