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Tender Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe Easy Homemade Sliders with Apple Cider Slaw

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Tender pulled pork sliders with tangy apple cider slaw offer a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and fresh flavors. This easy recipe is great for casual entertaining and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 lbs pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • 3 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded carrot
  • 1 medium apple, julienned or shredded (Fuji or Honeycrisp preferred)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise (dairy-free if preferred)
  • 1/2 tsp celery seeds (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 12 slider buns (brioche style recommended)
  • Pickles or extra barbecue sauce for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder (if using), salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
  2. Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Pour apple cider or juice around the meat. Drizzle olive oil on top. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until tender.
  3. While pork cooks, combine shredded cabbage, carrot, and apple in a large bowl. Whisk apple cider vinegar, honey, mayonnaise, celery seeds, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl. Pour dressing over cabbage mixture and toss well. Refrigerate until serving.
  4. Transfer cooked pork to a large dish. Shred meat using forks or meat claws, discarding large fat chunks. Mix in barbecue sauce to taste.
  5. Lightly toast slider buns if desired. Pile pulled pork on bottom half, top with apple cider slaw, add pickles or extra barbecue sauce if desired, then cap with top bun and serve immediately.

Notes

To prevent soggy buns, lightly toast them before assembling. The slaw can be made a day ahead but toss with dressing just before serving for best crunch. If pork seems dry, add more apple cider or barbecue sauce. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. For dairy-free slaw, use mayo alternatives like avocado or coconut-based spreads.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork sliders, apple cider slaw, easy sliders, slow cooker pulled pork, homemade sliders, barbecue sliders, party food, casual entertaining

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/tender-pulled-pork-sliders-recipe-easy-homemade-sliders-with-apple-cider-slaw/