Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders

Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders for Any Occasion

Besides being a great way to use up leftovers, these pulled pork sliders are also the perfect party food. They are perfect for family get-togethers, holiday meals, summer picnics, and any sporting events. So if you’re looking for a fun way to feed a crowd, this is it. 🙌

Recipe Ingredients

• Smoked Pulled Pork – You’ll either need some leftover cooked pulled pork for this recipe or go ahead and smoke a pork butt specifically for these sliders. If you’re smoking the pork from scratch, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, brown sugar, cumin, chili powder, cayenne, and paprika will spice it up.
• Buns – Plenty of people love pork sliders with Hawaiian rolls, but any roll or bun you prefer works. Just make sure they’re slider size! 🤏
• Toppings – BBQ sauce and coleslaw are must-haves in my book, but add whatever else you like. Cheese, jalapenos, crispy bacon, anything goes! 

How to Make Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders

Smoke the Pork Butt

1. Rub – In a medium bowl, combine the pepper, garlic and onion powder, thyme, oregano, brown sugar, chili, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and cumin. Mix well and set aside. 
2. Season – Place your pork butt on a large cutting board, fat cap side up. Trim the fat cap if you’d like, leaving at least a narrow layer of fat (about ⅛”‒¼” inch thick) on the outside. That helps protect the pork from drying out as it cooks. Then, pat the pork butt dry with paper towels. 
3. Optional – Slather a thin, even coating of prepared yellow mustard all over the pork to bind the dry seasonings. You could also use Worcestershire sauce or skip and proceed with the next step. 
4. Add Rub – Next, salt the entire roast and rub it with the seasonings. Press the seasonings down as you go until they cover every inch. 
5. Rest – Place the seasoned pork butt in an aluminum foil pan, cover it well, and let it rest for at least an hour (up to 24 hours). When ready to smoke, remove the pork from the fridge about an hour beforehand if time permits. 
6. Pellet Grill – Fill your hopper with wood pellets and preheat the grill to 250-275℉ (120-135℃). Or prepare the gas or charcoal grill for indirect grilling and preheat to 250-275℉ (120-135℃). Add hardwood chunks to the charcoal to create more smoke and grill on the unlit side. 
7. Smoke – Once the pellet grill is ready, place the pork directly on the grill grates, fat side up. Insert your instant-read meat thermometer into the meat. 
8. Wrap – When the pork roast reaches 165℉ (75℃), remove it from the smoker. Tightly wrap it with butcher or foil paper. At this point, you can add additional pork rub, hot sauce, or any optional seasonings. 
9. Finish Cooking – Put the wrapped pork roast back in the smoker. Continue smoking until the internal temperature is about 205°F (95℃) and the meat shreds easily with a fork.
10. Rest Again – Remove the pork shoulder from the smoker and let it rest at room temperature for 45-60 minutes. 
11. Pull – After resting, discard the thick layers of fat and shred using two forks. 

Reheat Leftover Pulled Pork (Oven Instructions)

1. ​​Preheat your oven to around 325°F (163°C). 
2. Add Liquid – Place the pulled pork in an oven-safe dish. Then add some liquid (beef broth, pineapple juice, or BBQ sauce) to help keep the brisket moist. 
3. Heat – Cover the dish with foil to prevent it from drying out, and place it in the preheated oven. Reheat the pulled pork for about 15-20 minutes or until warm through, being careful not to overcook it. 

Reheat Leftover Pulled Pork (Stovetop Instructions)

1. Heat a frying pan over medium, and add a little oil or melted butter. 
2. Cook – Place the shredded pork in the skillet and cook for a few minutes on each side until heated through. Add a little liquid as needed to prevent the pork from drying out. 
3. Serve – Remove the meat and let it cool slightly before serving. 

Assemble the Sliders

1. Buns – Slice the slider buns or rolls in half horizontally. Next, lightly toast the buns, if desired, on a grill or fry pan for a couple of minutes until lightly browned. Remove them and place them on a large tray or serving board. 
2. Assemble – Place generous amounts of shredded pork on one side of the bun, then top with coleslaw and BBQ sauce. (Photo 1)
3. Toppings – Next, add optional toppings like cheese or bacon, if using any. For a cool presentation, secure each slider with a toothpick. Enjoy! (Photos 2-4)

Recipe Variations

• Hawaiian pulled pork sliders: Pile the pork on Hawaiian sweet rolls, then top with fresh pineapple slices and teriyaki sauce.
• BBQ pulled pork sliders: Add homemade barbecue sauce to your already incredible sliders.
• Tex-Mex twist: Scoop guacamole, pico de gallo, and a drizzle of creamy chipotle sauce on top of your sliders.
• Breakfast sandwiches: Make pulled pork breakfast sliders! Serve the pulled pork sliders topped with a fried egg, a slice of cheese, and a dash of hot sauce.
• Full-sized pulled pork sandwiches: Use regular hamburger or hot dog buns for a filling pulled pork sandwich. Add the same fillings and toppings.

Tips and Tricks

• Be careful not to overfill the sandwiches. Add just enough to fit comfortably on the slider buns without being too much.
• Balance out the flavors and textures of the slider toppings. A well-balanced slider should have tangy, savory, crunchy, and fresh elements. 😋
• If you’re serving these for a party, make a toppings bar for your guests. Add the basic slider elements in separate serving bowls, then let guests choose what toppings they want to pile on.

Make-Ahead Instructions

The biggest time saver here is to use leftover smoked pulled pork! That way, you’ve already done most of the prep work. To save even more time, get your toppings ready and store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge until ready to serve.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Serve smoked pulled pork sliders warm (just after toasting the bread and assembling). They also taste great at room temperature if that’s not an option. If you have leftovers, store the individual elements separately in the refrigerator so the bread won’t get soggy. 👍

FAQs

What Goes With Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders

If you’re serving brisket sliders as a main course, serve sides with complementary flavors and textures. Grilled peppers and smoked baked potatoes are two fantastic options. I also like to serve grilled pineapple with a big scoop of pineapple rum ice cream for dessert. 🤩

More Crowd-Pleasing Recipes to Try

• Brisket Sliders
• Smoked Meatballs
• Pulled Pork Tacos
• Chicken Wing Flats
• Smoked Turkey Wings

Conclusion

These flavor-packed pulled pork sliders are ready for you to devour. Already made them? Please drop a note in the comment section below to let me know how they turned out for you. 😁