Print

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders with Creamy Apple Slaw – Perfect 30-Minute Prep

easy slow cooker pulled pork sliders - featured image
Print Recipe

Tender, smoky pulled pork cooked low and slow in a tangy sauce, served on soft slider buns with a creamy apple slaw. Perfect for gatherings or a comforting weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–5 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt)
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups green cabbage, shredded
  • 1 large apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), julienned or shredded
  • 1 medium carrot, shredded
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (for slaw)
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 12–16 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls, brioche, or potato rolls)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for toasting buns)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke. Set aside.
  3. Place sliced onion and minced garlic in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour in chicken broth. Place seasoned pork on top and pour sauce mixture over it.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 5-6 hours, until pork is fork-tender.
  5. Transfer pork to a cutting board. Shred with two forks, discarding large pieces of fat.
  6. Pour cooking liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a saucepan. Skim off fat. Simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Return shredded pork to slow cooker or a large bowl. Pour about half the reduced sauce over pork and toss to coat. Add more sauce as needed.
  8. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, celery seed, salt, and pepper. Add shredded cabbage, apple, and carrot. Toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
  9. Brush cut sides of slider buns with melted butter. Toast in a skillet over medium heat, cut side down, for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
  10. Assemble sliders: place pulled pork on bottom bun, top with slaw, add top bun. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t rush the slow cooker; low and slow gives the best texture. Let the pork rest before shredding. Toast the buns to prevent sogginess. The slaw can be made a day ahead. The pulled pork tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, slow cooker, sliders, apple slaw, barbecue, game day, comfort food

Find it online: https://cooksyla.com/easy-slow-cooker-pulled-pork-sliders-with-creamy-apple-slaw-perfect-30-minute-prep/