Savory BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe Easy Homemade with Pickled Red Onions
These savory BBQ pulled pork sliders feature tender, smoky pork paired with tangy pickled red onions on soft slider buns, creating a perfect balance of flavors for casual gatherings or game day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours slow cooker or 1 hour Instant Pot
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes slow cooker or 1 hour 20 minutes Instant Pot
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), with good marbling
- BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Pickled Red Onions:
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- Optional: pinch of black peppercorns or red chili flakes
- 12 slider buns, soft and slightly sweet (e.g., King’s Hawaiian style)
- 2 tbsp butter, softened (for toasting buns)
- Optional toppings: sliced pickles, coleslaw, fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the pickled red onions: In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar and salt dissolve. Place thinly sliced red onions in a heatproof jar or bowl and pour hot pickling liquid over them. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (ideally 1-2 hours) before serving.
- Make the BBQ sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir well. Optionally, warm gently in a saucepan over low heat for 5-10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Cook the pork: Trim excess fat from pork shoulder, leaving some for flavor. Place in slow cooker or Instant Pot. Pour half the BBQ sauce over pork, coating well. For slow cooker: cook on low for 6-8 hours until fork-tender. For Instant Pot: cook on high pressure for 60 minutes with natural release.
- Shred the pork: Remove pork from cooker and place on plate or tray. Use two forks to shred into bite-sized pieces. Return shredded pork to cooking liquid and stir in remaining BBQ sauce. Keep warm.
- Toast the slider buns: Spread softened butter on cut sides of buns. Toast in skillet or oven at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until golden and slightly crisp.
- Assemble the sliders: Pile pulled pork onto each bun bottom. Top with pickled red onions and optional toppings like pickles or coleslaw. Cap with top bun and serve immediately.
Notes
Patience with cooking pork shoulder is key for tender meat. Toast buns for contrast in texture. Thinly slice onions for best pickling results. Shred pork while warm for easier shredding. Avoid drowning pork in sauce to maintain texture. Pickled onions can be made up to 2 weeks ahead and improve in flavor. Use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps for gluten-free option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 22
Keywords: BBQ pulled pork sliders, pickled red onions, homemade BBQ sauce, slow cooker pulled pork, Instant Pot pulled pork, slider recipe, easy BBQ sliders