Irresistible Pulled Pork Sliders: Your Go-To Recipe for Game Days, Parties & More

Prepare to delight your taste buds with these sensational pulled pork sliders! Featuring incredibly juicy, slow-cooked pork, a vibrant and fresh coleslaw, and a generous slather of tangy barbecue sauce, these miniature sandwiches are undeniably the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re planning a lively picnic, a backyard cookout, a thrilling tailgate, or simply need an easy yet satisfying meal for your family, these sliders deliver big on flavor and comfort. They are hearty, exceptionally tender, surprisingly simple to prepare, and burst with a symphony of delicious tastes that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Close up of a pulled pork slider with creamy coleslaw, with two more perfectly assembled sliders blurred in the background, ready to be enjoyed. — A close-up shot revealing the delightful layers of a pulled pork slider, showcasing the tender pork, vibrant coleslaw, and soft bun.

Pulled pork stands out as one of my all-time favorite dishes. Its inherent juiciness, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, rich meaty texture, and complex blend of spicy, smoky, and sweet flavors make it truly irresistible. Among the myriad ways to enjoy this culinary gem, these pulled pork sliders are my absolute top choice. They transform a classic into an easily shareable, perfectly portioned treat. You simply must experience them the next time you find yourself needing to feed a large gathering or want to elevate your casual dining experience.

What makes these pork sliders so exceptional is their impeccable balance. The light, crispy, and refreshing tang of the coleslaw beautifully cuts through the richness of the hearty, savory, and subtly spicy pulled pork. For an added layer of texture and a burst of savory aroma, crispy fried onions introduce a delightful crunch that takes these sandwiches to another level. All of these incredible components are nestled between two soft, pillowy slider buns, generously slathered with sticky, smoky BBQ sauce. The result is not just a meal, but an experience – truly the ultimate game day snack or party appetizer.

Why You’ll Adore This Pulled Pork Slider Recipe

This isn’t just another recipe; it’s one of those timeless dishes that you’ll return to again and again, finding endless joy in both making and devouring. Here’s a closer look at why these easy pulled pork sliders are destined to become a staple in your culinary repertoire:

Effortlessly Simple: Don’t let the incredible flavor fool you into thinking this recipe is complicated. It’s remarkably straightforward! Both the pulled pork and the coleslaw, while packed with amazing taste, require minimal effort. With the magic of slow cooking or pressure cooking, much of the work is hands-off, leaving you more time to enjoy your event. You could almost prepare this deliciousness in your sleep!
Perfect for Any Crowd: Planning a party, family reunion, or a casual get-together? These pulled pork sliders are my absolute go-to for any hosting occasion or potluck, especially for outdoor events. The recipe is incredibly forgiving and easy to scale up. Whether you’re feeding a dozen or a hundred, you can effortlessly adjust the quantities to ensure everyone gets a taste of these fantastic sliders. Their individual portion size makes them ideal for mingling and easy consumption.
Versatile Preparation Options: Flexibility is key in the kitchen, and this recipe delivers. We provide detailed instructions for making tender pulled pork using either a slow cooker (crockpot) or an Instant Pot, allowing you to choose the method that best suits your schedule and equipment. Even better, you can save significant time by utilizing pre-made pulled pork – whether it’s delicious leftovers from a previous meal or a high-quality store-bought option. This adaptability makes the recipe accessible and convenient for any busy cook.

An overhead shot showcasing all the fresh ingredients needed to prepare the mouth-watering pulled pork sliders: a bowl of perfectly shredded pulled pork, a bowl of creamy coleslaw, a generous serving of barbecue sauce, crispy fried onions, and a bag of soft slider buns. — All the essential ingredients laid out, ready for assembly into delicious pulled pork sliders.

Essential Ingredients for Your Pulled Pork Sliders

Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards creating these easy, meaty, and smoky pulled pork sliders. Each component plays a vital role in building the perfect bite. Please remember to refer to the complete recipe card at the very end of this page for the precise measurements and quantities of each ingredient.

For the Flavorful Pulled Pork:

Pork Shoulder: This cut is the star for pulled pork. It’s known for its high fat content and connective tissue, which, when slow-cooked, breaks down into incredibly tender, juicy, and flavorful meat. You can also confidently use pork butt for this recipe; despite its name, “pork butt” is actually a cut from the upper part of the pig’s shoulder, making it ideal for shredding.
Dry Rub: A good dry rub is crucial for building a flavorful crust and deep seasoning. While I highly recommend using my quick and easy Best Dry Rub Recipe for its perfect balance of spices, feel free to use your personal favorite spice blend for seasoning meat.
Barbecue Sauce: This adds moisture, tang, sweetness, and that quintessential smoky BBQ flavor to the pork, making it truly irresistible.

For the Creamy & Tangy Coleslaw:

Mayonnaise (Mayo): The foundation of our creamy coleslaw dressing. For the richest flavor and texture, I always recommend using a good quality, full-fat mayonnaise.
Lemon Juice: Essential for adding a bright, fresh, and acidic tang that awakens the flavors and balances the richness of the mayo. Always opt for freshly squeezed juice for the best results.
Sugar: A small amount of sugar is key to balancing the strong acidic and savory flavors in the coleslaw, creating a harmonious and addictive dressing.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This provides that characteristic fruity and tangy note that is synonymous with traditional, refreshing coleslaw.
Black Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper adds a subtle spice and aromatic depth. It’s a simple addition that makes a big difference.
Salt: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors in the dressing and the vegetables.
Coleslaw Mix: For convenience, a pre-shredded coleslaw mix (typically cabbage and carrots) is perfect. It saves time and ensures a consistent texture.

For the Ultimate Assembly:

Slider Buns: Soft, fluffy slider buns are the perfect vehicle for these miniature sandwiches, providing a tender contrast to the hearty filling.
Extra Barbecue Sauce: You’ll need more BBQ sauce for drizzling over the pork during assembly, allowing each slider to be customized to perfection.
Fried Onions: This is an optional but highly recommended ingredient! Crispy fried onions add a wonderful savory onion flavor and a fantastic textural crunch to the sandwiches, elevating the entire experience.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Own Pulled Pork Sliders

Making these saucy and smoky pulled pork sliders is simpler than you might think, promising maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Follow these straightforward steps to achieve culinary perfection:

Generously Season the Meat: Begin by patting your pork shoulder dry. Then, apply the dry rub evenly over the entire surface of the pork. Spend a moment really rubbing it in to ensure every inch is coated, allowing the spices to penetrate and create a flavorful crust during cooking.
Cook to Tender Perfection: The cooking method depends on your chosen appliance:
- Crockpot Method: Place the seasoned pork shoulder into your slow cooker. Pour the barbecue sauce directly over the top of the pork. Set your crockpot to cook on low for 8-9 hours, or until the pork is fall-apart tender.
- Instant Pot Method: First, add ½ cup of water to the bottom of your Instant Pot. Cut the seasoned pork into roughly 3-inch cubes; this helps it cook more efficiently. Add the pork cubes to the pot, then pour the barbecue sauce over the meat. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes before performing a quick release to unlock the lid safely.
Shred the Pork: Once cooked, carefully remove the tender pork from your crockpot or Instant Pot. Using two sturdy forks, begin to shred the meat apart. It should be incredibly tender and easily pull apart into succulent strands.
Prepare the Tangy Dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, sugar, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and salt. Whisk everything together thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a perfectly balanced dressing for your coleslaw.
Assemble the Coleslaw: Add the pre-shredded coleslaw mix to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly until all the vegetable strands are evenly coated in the creamy, tangy dressing. Set aside for a few minutes to let the flavors meld.
Prepare the Slider Buns: Using a serrated knife, carefully slice all your slider buns in half horizontally, preparing them for assembly.
Assemble Your Sliders: You have a couple of fantastic options for assembly:
- Classic Pulled Pork Sliders: Spoon a generous portion of the shredded pulled pork onto the bottom half of each slider bun. Drizzle with additional barbecue sauce to taste. If using, sprinkle a desired amount of crispy fried onions and a spoonful of the prepared coleslaw on top of the pork. Finally, place the top half of the bun to complete your delicious slider.
- Baked & Warm Sliders: For an extra warm and comforting touch, initially only add the shredded pork and a drizzle of barbecue sauce to the bottom buns, then cap with the top buns. Arrange these partially assembled sliders on a baking sheet and place them in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, just until they are warmed through and the buns are lightly toasted. Remove from the oven, lift the top buns, then add the fried onions and coleslaw. Replace the top buns and serve immediately for a delightful experience.

An overhead view showing three bottom slider buns generously topped with perfectly shredded pulled pork and drizzled with smoky barbecue sauce, ready for the next layer of toppings. — Bottom buns loaded with succulent pulled pork and savory BBQ sauce, ready for the coleslaw and fried onions.

Expert Tips for the Best Pulled Pork Sliders

Want to make your pulled pork sliders even more phenomenal or simplify the process further? Here are a few clever tricks and tips to help you achieve absolute perfection every time:

Utilize Leftover or Store-Bought Pulled Pork: While making your own pulled pork from scratch is incredibly rewarding, don’t hesitate to save time by using pre-cooked options. If you prepared a batch of pulled pork earlier in the week, have some delicious leftovers from a restaurant, or bought a high-quality store-bought version, it will work wonderfully in this recipe. These sliders are particularly fantastic with my Instant Pot Pulled Pork or my Smoked Pork Butt. Just ensure it’s warmed through before assembly.
Elevate with Homemade BBQ Sauce: I’m a huge advocate for making your own sauces. It’s an effortless way to infuse an incredible depth of flavor that pre-made sauces often can’t match. My easy homemade BBQ Sauce With Coca-Cola is significantly more flavorful than most store-bought options and will unquestionably take your sliders to an entirely new level of deliciousness.
Chop Your Own Coleslaw Mix: This recipe calls for a convenient store-bought coleslaw mix, which is fantastic for quick preparation. However, if you have a little extra time and desire an even fresher, crunchier, and more flavorful slaw, consider chopping your own cabbage and carrots. The vibrant crunch and garden-fresh taste of homemade shredded vegetables are truly unbeatable.
Prepare the Coleslaw in Advance: The coleslaw is truly the unsung hero of this dish. Its fresh, creamy, and tangy profile perfectly complements the rich, tender pork. For optimal flavor development, prepare the coleslaw dressing and mix the slaw a few hours ahead of time, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This allows the flavors to thoroughly meld and deepen, resulting in an even more delicious and cohesive taste.
Create a DIY Slider Assembly Station: When serving these at parties or potlucks, I love to set up a “build-your-own slider” station. Instead of pre-assembling all the sandwiches, arrange all the components – warm pulled pork, fresh coleslaw, various BBQ sauces, fried onions, and slider buns – in separate bowls. This not only encourages interaction among guests but also allows everyone to customize their perfect slider to their liking.
Lightly Toast the Buns: For an extra layer of texture and warmth, lightly toast your slider buns before assembly. You can do this by briefly placing them cut-side down on a hot griddle or in a toaster oven until golden brown. This subtle step adds a delightful crispness and prevents the buns from getting soggy too quickly.

A perfectly assembled pulled pork slider with visible coleslaw nestled on a white plate, with another slider enticingly blurred in the background, highlighting its deliciousness. — A ready-to-eat pulled pork slider, showcasing its delicious layers and vibrant appeal.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Your Pulled Pork Sliders

Given that these pulled pork sliders are an iconic choice for cookouts, tailgates, and casual gatherings, it’s only natural to pair them with sides that evoke sunny days and good company. Here are some fantastic food ideas that would beautifully complement your sliders on any plate:

Smoked Corn On The Cob: Adds a sweet, smoky, and slightly charred flavor that pairs wonderfully with BBQ.
Classic Potato Salad: A creamy, comforting, and tangy staple that’s always a hit alongside savory pork.
Cheesy Corn Dip: A warm, gooey, and flavorful dip that’s perfect for sharing with tortilla chips or as an extra side.
Cheddar Brat Cheese Dip: A hearty and cheesy dip with a little kick, great for dipping or spreading.
Smoked Mac and Cheese: The ultimate comfort food side, with a rich, smoky flavor that elevates classic macaroni and cheese.

Storing and Reheating Your Pulled Pork Sliders (and Components)

Properly storing and reheating your leftover pulled pork and coleslaw ensures you can enjoy these delicious flavors for days to come. Here’s what you need to know:

Refrigeration: I strongly advise against storing fully assembled pulled pork sliders for more than a few hours. The buns will quickly absorb moisture from the pork and coleslaw, becoming unpleasantly soggy. Instead, store the components separately. The shredded pulled pork, once completely cooled, can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The creamy coleslaw can be kept in a separate airtight container for up to 5 days, though it’s often best within 2-3 days for optimal crunch.
Reheating Pulled Pork: The most delicious way to reheat the pulled pork and prepare sliders is to follow the “baked sliders” assembly instructions provided earlier in the recipe. This warms the pork thoroughly and slightly toasts the buns. Alternatively, you can reheat the pulled pork in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it’s heated through. Once warm, proceed with assembling your fresh sliders.
Freezing: Leftover pulled pork is freezer-friendly and will maintain its quality for up to 3 months. Ensure the meat is completely cooled before transferring it to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw the frozen pork overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. However, I do not recommend freezing coleslaw; the mayonnaise-based dressing and vegetables will separate and lose their desirable texture upon thawing.

Three perfectly plated pulled pork sliders sitting next to a small bowl of rich barbecue sauce, ready for serving. — Three delicious pulled pork sliders, ready to be devoured, with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.

More Easy & Delicious Dinner Recipes to Explore

If you’re as big a fan of pork as I am, then you’ll absolutely love these other fantastic and easy-to-prepare pork recipes. They offer diverse flavors and cooking methods to keep your dinner table exciting:

Grilled Pork Chops
Mississippi Pork Roast
Char Siu Pork
French Onion Pork Chops
Pork Carnitas
Smoked Pork Belly

Close up of a pulled pork slider with coleslaw, with two more in the background.

Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe

By
Erin Sellin

These easy pulled pork sliders feature juicy and tender meat topped with crispy, fresh, and tangy coleslaw. They’re effortlessly simple to make, making them the perfect choice for potlucks, casual cookouts, exciting game days, and any gathering where delicious, shareable food is a must.

Prep:

10

Cook:

55

Total:

1 5

Servings:

12 sliders

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Ingredients

For the Pulled Pork:

2-3 pounds pork shoulder
1/4 cup dry rub
1/2 cup barbecue sauce

For the Coleslaw:

1/2 cup mayo
1 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
12- oz bag coleslaw mix

For the Assembly:

12 slider buns
1/2 cup fried onions, optional
Barbecue sauce

Instructions

Pat the pork dry, then add the dry rub and rub it onto the meat until it’s evenly coated on all sides.

2-3 pounds pork shoulder,
1/4 cup dry rub
For a Crockpot: Place the seasoned pork shoulder in the slow cooker and cover it with 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce. Cook on low for 8-9 hours until very tender.

For an Instant Pot: Cut the seasoned pork into 3-inch cubes. Add ½ cup of water to the Instant Pot, then add the pork cubes and pour the 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce over the meat. Cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure to unlock.

1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Carefully remove the cooked pork from the crockpot or Instant Pot, and use two forks to shred the tender meat.
In a mixing bowl, combine the mayo, lemon juice, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and smooth, forming the coleslaw dressing.

1/2 cup mayo,
1 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice,
1 Tablespoon sugar,
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar,
1/2 teaspoon black pepper,
1/4 teaspoon salt
Add the coleslaw mix to the bowl with the dressing and toss thoroughly until the veggies are well coated.

12- oz bag coleslaw mix
Slice all the slider buns in half. Place a generous amount of shredded pulled pork and a drizzle of extra barbecue sauce onto the bottom half of each slider bun.

12 slider buns,
Barbecue sauce
For Traditional Sliders: Top the pork with the optional fried onions and a spoonful of the prepared coleslaw, then place the top buns on and serve immediately.

For Baked Sliders: Only add the pork and barbecue sauce, then place the top buns on. Arrange the sliders on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes until warm. Remove from the oven, lift the top buns, then add the fried onions and coleslaw. Replace the buns and serve warm.

1/2 cup fried onions

Notes

Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Store leftover coleslaw separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days for best freshness.
You can easily use leftover or store-bought pulled pork to significantly speed up this recipe.
For the most incredible flavor, I highly recommend making your own Best Dry Rub Recipe and BBQ Sauce With Coca-Cola.
For optimal texture and flavor, avoid assembling sliders too far in advance, as the buns can become soggy.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:
Erin Sellin

Prep Time:

10

Cook Time:

55

Total Time:

1 5

Course:
Dinner Recipes, Appetizer, Main Dish

Cuisine:
American, BBQ

Yields:

12 sliders

Calories:
564

Keywords:
pork sliders, pulled pork sliders, pulled pork sliders recipe, BBQ sliders, easy sliders, party food

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