Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (2024)

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Mouthwatering Pulled Pork Sliders made with tender, juicy pulled pork topped with coleslaw, bbq sauce, and dill pickles. Includes slider bar suggestion and make-ahead options for events and parties!

What's the best pork for pulled pork sliders?

Whether you're slow cooking, pressure cooking, braising, or smoking pork for pulled pork sliders, the best cuts of pork happen to be the least expensive. That's right, pork butt or pork shoulder can often be found for $1.00 per pound or less, which makes great super bowl food and picnic food.

Lean cuts like loin, roast, or pork chop are not pulled pork material because there isn't enough fat to give pork a fall-apart texture when it's pulled.

Best way to cook pulled pork for sliders (2 ways)

There are many ways to cook pulled pork for sliders, but I'm including the two ways I use most often. Both methods turn out juicy, fall-apart tender pork, which makes it actually hard to tell the two recipes apart, so it really comes down to the method that's most convenient for you.

Option #1: Slow cooker pulled pork (8 hours low and slow)

Option #2: Instant Pot pulled pork (ready in about an hour)

Pulled pork slider toppings

Here's my list of go-to slider toppings that you see in my photos. I always recommend these homemade options, but store-bought toppings work great too!

• coleslaw - This zesty, fresh coleslaw recipe and pulled pork go hand in hand.
• BBQ sauce - This easy bbq sauce recipe is savory, sweet, and mildly spicy. It's a must-have condiment for pulled pork sliders.
• pickles - These refrigerator pickles require no canning, for the win!
• French fried onions - make your own or cheat like we do and get them at Costco.

Other topping options:

• creamy dressing - Avocado Ranch dressing
• jalapenos - fresh or pickled
• shredded cheese - or cheese sauce
• potato chips
• pickled red onions

How to serve pork sliders (2 ways)

Option #1 - DIY (self-serve slider bar) - When it comes to serving a large quantity of party food, I'm all for letting guests serve themselves. To make a slider bar, use one of the pork recipes I've included in this post and prepare all components a day in advance. When it's party time, assemble on a board or tray, serve, and watch them disappear!

Option #2 - DIFT (do it for them) - assemble several sliders to be served all at once. To do this, lay out all of the slider bottoms, and build them from the bottom up. I like to go this order: slider bottom, mayo, bbq sauce, pulled pork, more bbq sauce, coleslaw, pickles, French fried onions, more bbq sauce, and slider top.

If you go with method #2, you'll want to serve the sliders immediately since the rolls will be saturated with the juicy ingredients.

How many sliders per person?

Plan for 2-3 pulled pork sliders per person if you're serving them with sides. The next section includes approximate amounts of each component you'll need for each slider.

How much pork and toppings do I need for pork sliders?

If you use my homemade recipes for pulled pork, coleslaw, bbq sauce, and dill pickles, you'll get 24 well-proportioned sliders. Each slider can have up to...

• ¼ cup pulled pork - same as 2 ounces
• 2 tablespoons slaw - same as ½ ounce
• 1-2 tablespoons bbq sauce
• 2-3 dill pickle rounds
• 1 tablespoon French fried onions

Serving ideas

Get the complete list of pulled pork sides. Here are some of our favorites!

• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
• Loaded Baked Potato Salad
• BLT Pasta Salad
• Macaroni Salad
• Classic Potato Salad
• Baked Smashed Potatoes
• Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Can I make this recipe ahead?

Yes! You can make the pork, slaw, and bbq sauce for pulled pork sliders a day or two ahead. In fact, doing this actually builds flavor. Simply refrigerate each component separately in airtight containers. Reheat the pulled pork before serving.

📖 Recipe