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Savory Smoky Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe with Tangy Pickled Onions

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Juicy, smoky pulled pork sliders paired with tangy pickled onions create a perfect balance of flavors. Ideal for casual gatherings, game nights, or any occasion needing a comforting yet flavorful dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp black peppercorns (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed (optional)
  • 12 slider buns or small soft rolls, split and lightly toasted
  • Pickles or coleslaw (optional)
  • Barbecue sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Mix smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice blend all over the pork and let it sit for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge.
  2. Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Pour apple cider vinegar and chicken broth (or water) around the pork, avoiding pouring directly on the spice rub. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until fork-tender. For pressure cooker, cook on high pressure for 60-70 minutes with natural release.
  3. While the pork cooks, combine vinegar, sugar, salt, water, peppercorns, and smashed garlic in a small saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until sugar dissolves. Place sliced onions in a jar or bowl and pour hot pickling liquid over them. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  4. Remove pork from cooker and shred with two forks, discarding large chunks of fat. Return shredded pork to slow cooker juices to soak up moisture and flavor.
  5. Lightly butter and toast slider buns in a skillet or toaster until golden brown and slightly crisp.
  6. Assemble sliders by piling pulled pork on buns, topping with pickled onions, and adding optional pickles or coleslaw. Serve barbecue sauce on the side.

Notes

Let the spice rub rest on the pork for at least 30 minutes or overnight for deeper flavor. Low and slow cooking yields tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork. Shred while hot for easier shredding. Toast buns just before serving to prevent sogginess. Pickled onions taste best after at least 1 hour of marinating, preferably overnight. If pork seems dry, stir in some cooking liquid. Smoking the pork before shredding adds authentic barbecue flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork sliders, smoky pulled pork, pickled onions, slow cooker pulled pork, pressure cooker pulled pork, barbecue sliders, party food, easy pulled pork

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/savory-smoky-pulled-pork-sliders-recipe-with-tangy-pickled-onions-easy-and-best/