Best Smoky Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Pickled Onions

These smoky pulled pork sliders are the best easy dinner idea! After making them dozens of times, I’ve perfected the recipe. The trick I discovered is using a slow cooker for tender, juicy pork. The crispy, caramelized edges and smoky flavor will make your family beg for more. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Fresh Grilled Peaches Recipe with Creamy Greek Yogurt Easy Protein Snack and Crispy Grilled Lemon Herb Salmon Recipe with Easy Garlic Aioli Dip.

What You'll Need for Best Smoky Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Pickled Onions

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 lb pork shoulder
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 12 slider buns
• Barbecue sauce
• Apple cider vinegar
• Brown sugar
• Smoked paprika
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Optional: Pickled onions
• Optional: Coleslaw
• Optional: Fresh cilantro
• Optional: Crumbled blue cheese

How to Make Best Smoky Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Pickled Onions

1. Prepare the pork: Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder. In a bowl, mix together barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub the mixture onto the pork, coating it evenly. Place the pork in the slow cooker.
2. Cook the pork: Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
3. Make the pickled onions: While the pork is cooking, thinly slice the onions and place them in a bowl. Cover with vinegar and let them sit for at least 30 minutes to pickle.
4. Assemble the sliders: Toast the slider buns if desired. Spoon some of the shredded pork onto each bun, drizzle with some of the cooking liquid, and top with pickled onions and your choice of toppings.

Storing & Reheating Best Smoky Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Pickled Onions

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: The shredded pork can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge.

Freezing Best Smoky Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Pickled Onions

Freeze leftover shredded pork in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat sliders in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat sliders in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or until heated through. The microwave may make the buns soggy.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For even more flavor, sear the pork in a hot skillet before adding it to the slow cooker.
• Best substitution: If you don't have a slow cooker, you can cook the pork in a Dutch oven in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3-4 hours.
• Make-ahead: The pickled onions can be made up to a day ahead of time.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to feed a crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the pork is still tough after cooking, it may not have been cooked long enough. Cook it for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Best Smoky Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Pickled Onions

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

4-8 hrs

⏳

Total

4 hrs 15 mins

🍽

Serves

12 sliders

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free (if using gluten-free buns)

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 lb pork shoulder
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 12 slider buns

Seasonings

• Barbecue sauce
• Apple cider vinegar
• Brown sugar
• Smoked paprika
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Optional Toppings

• Pickled onions
• Coleslaw
• Fresh cilantro
• Crumbled blue cheese

Instructions

1. Prepare the pork: Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder. In a bowl, mix together barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub the mixture onto the pork, coating it evenly. Place the pork in the slow cooker.
2. Cook the pork: Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
3. Make the pickled onions: While the pork is cooking, thinly slice the onions and place them in a bowl. Cover with vinegar and let them sit for at least 30 minutes to pickle.
4. Assemble the sliders: Toast the slider buns if desired. Spoon some of the shredded pork onto each bun, drizzle with some of the cooking liquid, and top with pickled onions and your choice of toppings.

Notes

• Chef tip: For even more flavor, sear the pork in a hot skillet before adding it to the slow cooker.
• Best substitution: If you don't have a slow cooker, you can cook the pork in a Dutch oven in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3-4 hours.
• Make-ahead: The pickled onions can be made up to a day ahead of time.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to feed a crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the pork is still tough after cooking, it may not have been cooked long enough. Cook it for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze leftover shredded pork in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
• Oven reheat: Reheat sliders in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat sliders in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or until heated through. The microwave may make the buns soggy.
• Make ahead: The shredded pork can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 25g
• Fat: 15g
• Carbs: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Cholesterol: 80mg
• Sat. Fat: 5g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Best Smoky Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Pickled Onions FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Best Smoky Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Pickled Onions and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!