Easy slow cooker BBQ pulled pork sliders with homemade healthier coleslaw are sure to be a hit at your next tailgate or super bowl party! Cooking and cleanup are a breeze thanks to the slow cooker, so you can enjoy the game and your company. (Includes Instant Pot instructions)
What is your favorite game day food? In our house, we're fans of barbecue with our football! There is nothing like rooting on your team with a cold beer and a plate of BBQ to keep you and your belly happy on game day.
During the middle of winter (aka playoffs and Super Bowl time) it can be a little difficult and unappealing to spend time cooking up some real barbecue on a smoker outside in the cold. It's even more difficult if you don't own said smoker. So to make prepping the ultimate game day food a little easier, I've got a delicious recipe for you for slow cooker pulled pork sliders!
Why Make Pulled Pork In The Slow Cooker?
The slow cooker is your best friend when it comes to throwing a football-watching party. You can be preparing everything else while the food simmers away, and once guests arrive, they can serve themselves as they please while the food stays nice and warm. Plus clean up is a cinch since you only have one main dish to wash!
I love the slow cooker for cooking a big chunk of pork. Pork roasts cook down to juicy, tender shreds in the crock pot, so you barely have to do any work for delicious, tender pulled pork sliders. This recipe is very simple with just a few ingredients. And if you make the rub ahead of time, it's even easier (and you've got plenty left over to make ribs or chicken).
What Cut Of Pork Should I Buy For Pulled Pork?
Pulled pork is traditionally made with a pork shoulder, which is usually pretty large and contains bone. A pork shoulder goes by many different names, can be cut into two different sections, and may be boneless or have the bone. Look for one of the following names: shoulder roast, pork shoulder, Boston butt, butt roast, pork butt, picnic roast. If you want to lighten things up, you can also make pulled pork with a pork loin roast, which contains much less fat. If you're using a pork loin roast, rub some olive oil on the outside after the rub, and start checking for doneness at about 5 hours.
How To Make Pulled Pork In The Slow Cooker
- Generously rub a pork shoulder or butt with BBQ spice rub all over the outside.
- Place it in a slow cooker with apple cider vinegar. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.
- Once meat is easily torn, remove it from the pot and use two forks (or your stand mixer) to shred the meat into large pieces.
- Place pork back into the slow cooker and stir in barbecue sauce (optional).
How should I serve pulled pork sliders?
I like to keep my slow cooker pulled pork sliders simple, with some mini whole wheat buns, a healthier homemade coleslaw mix, pickles, and onions. But you are more than welcome to top them with anything you wish! If you prefer to leave the sauce out and use it for topping sandwiches only, that's perfectly fine, too!
Can Pulled Pork Sliders be made in the Instant Pot?
Yes! The instructions are the same, except that you will cook the pork for about 12 minutes per pound (or 36-45 min for a 3-4 lb piece of meat) in the Instant Pot on the pressure cook mode. Let the pressure release naturally before removing the lid and shredding the meat.
More Easy BBQ Recipes You'll Love
- BBQ Ribs on The Charcoal Grill
- Beer Brined Spatchcock BBQ Chicken
- Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
- Texas Style Barbecue Sauce
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!
PrintEasy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders
Easy slow cooker BBQ pulled pork sliders with homemade healthier coleslaw are sure to be a hit at your next tailgate or super bowl party! Cooking and cleanup are a breeze thanks to the slow cooker, so you can enjoy the game and your company. (Includes Instant Pot instructions)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings + 1x
- Category: main dish
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: barbecue
Ingredients
For the pulled pork:
- 1 (4-6 lb) pork roast
- ⅓ cup homemade BBQ Spice Rub
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ - 1 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce
For sliders:
- slider buns
- red onion, thinly sliced
- dill pickle slices
- Greek yogurt coleslaw (recipe below)
For the coleslaw:
- 5 cups shredded cabbage, carrots, and/or broccoli (or prebagged slaw mix)
- ½-1 cup Greek yogurt coleslaw dressing
Instructions
- Trim any excess visible fat from pork. Rub all over with spice rub.
- Place in slow cooker. Add apple cider vinegar and cook on low setting 6-8 hours.
- While pork is cooking, prepare coleslaw. Pour coleslaw mix into a large bowl. Pour dressing over slaw mix and toss well to coat. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Once pork is tender enough that it shreds easily, use two forks (or your stand mixer) to shred pork into bite-sized pieces.
- Stir in barbecue sauce and keep on warm setting until ready to serve.
- To assemble sliders, place shredded pork on slider buns. Top with coleslaw, pickles, onions, and more sauce as desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- To cook in the Instant Pot, follow the recipe as written, but cook oh High pressure setting (lid locked and vent sealed) in the Instant Pot for 12 min per pound (72 min for a 6 lb pork roast). Let pressure release naturally before unlocking lid. Proceed with the recipe.
- If you're using a pork loin roast, rub some olive oil on the outside after the rub, and start checking for doneness at about 5 hours.
- If you prefer, you can leave the bbq sauce out of the shredded pork and let each person add sauce to their own sandwich.
Keywords: easy slow cooker pulled pork, crock pot pulled pork, slow cooker pulled pork sliders
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