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Easy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders: Best with Pickled Onions

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These Easy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Pickled Onions are the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder with a smoky-sweet BBQ sauce, topped with tangy, crunchy quick-pickled red onions. Perfect for gatherings, they’re incredibly easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (or pork butt)
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 yellow onion (sliced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 large red onion (thinly sliced)
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar (for pickled onions)
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black peppercorns (optional)
  • 12 slider buns (or Hawaiian rolls)
  • Coleslaw (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the Dry Rub (5 minutes): In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well with a fork.
  2. Prep the Pork (10 minutes): Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork, coating every surface.
  3. Sear the Pork (Optional but Recommended, 10 minutes): Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil. Sear the pork on all sides until deeply browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.
  4. Build the Slow Cooker Base (5 minutes): Place the sliced yellow onion and minced garlic in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour in the apple cider vinegar and chicken broth. Place the seared (or un-seared) pork on top of the onions.
  5. Slow Cook (8 hours on LOW or 4-5 hours on HIGH): Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender.
  6. Make the Pickled Onions (30 minutes): In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and peppercorns. Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar and salt dissolve. Pour over thinly sliced red onion in a bowl or jar. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
  7. Shred the Pork (10 minutes): Transfer cooked pork to a cutting board. Reserve about 1 cup of cooking liquid. Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces. Discard large pieces of fat.
  8. Mix with BBQ Sauce (5 minutes): Return shredded pork to the slow cooker (or a large bowl). Add BBQ sauce and about ½ cup of reserved cooking liquid. Stir to combine. Adjust consistency with more liquid if needed. Season with salt and pepper.
  9. Optional: Broil for Crispy Edges (5 minutes): Spread sauced pork on a sheet pan in an even layer. Broil on high for 2-3 minutes until edges caramelize.
  10. Assemble the Sliders (5 minutes): Split and lightly toast slider buns. Pile pulled pork onto bottom buns. Top with pickled onions and coleslaw (if using). Place top buns on and serve immediately.

Notes

Searing the pork before slow cooking adds depth of flavor. Reserve the cooking liquid to moisten the shredded pork. Don’t over-sauce; start with a little BBQ sauce and add more as needed. Toast the buns to prevent sogginess. Pickled onions can be made up to a week in advance and taste even better the next day. For a crispy finish, broil the shredded pork for 2-3 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ pulled pork, sliders, pickled onions, slow cooker, party food, comfort food

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/easy-bbq-pulled-pork-sliders-best-with-pickled-onions/