These pulled pork sliders with slaw are loaded with tender slow cooker pulled pork, tangy crunchy slaw, and soft slider buns for the ultimate easy party sandwich. Perfect for game day, summer gatherings, or an easy dinner for a crowd.
Let's get started!
Jump to:
Pull Up A Chair & Let's Chat!
These pulled pork sliders with slaw are the kind of easy meal that works for everything from game day spreads to summer cookouts and busy family dinners. Tender slow cooker pulled pork gets piled onto soft slider buns and topped with crunchy coleslaw and tangy Carolina mustard BBQ sauce for the perfect sweet, smoky, and savory bite.
They’re easy to make ahead, simple to feed to a crowd, and always one of the first things to disappear.
Why These Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders Work
- Tender slow cooker pulled pork: Low-and-slow cooking creates juicy pork that shreds easily for sliders.
- Crunchy slaw balances the richness: Creamy coleslaw adds freshness and texture to every bite.
- Tangy Carolina mustard BBQ sauce: The bold sauce pairs perfectly with the smoky pork and soft buns.
- Perfect for parties and game day: Easy to scale for cookouts, tailgates, and feeding a crowd.
- Flexible cooking options: Make the pulled pork in the slow cooker, Dutch oven, or Instant Pot.
What You'll Need & Why
For the Pulled Pork
- Pork picnic roast: A forgiving, well-marbled cut that cooks down into tender, pull-apart pork. Pork butt or pork shoulder work just as well.
- All-purpose or BBQ seasoning: Builds a savory flavor base without overpowering the pork.
- Carolina mustard BBQ sauce: Tangy, slightly sweet, and bold — it cuts through the richness and makes these sliders stand out.
- Chicken broth: Keeps the pork moist while it cooks and creates flavorful juices for shredding.
For the Coleslaw
- Coleslaw mix: Adds crunch and freshness to balance the rich pulled pork.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base that gives the slaw its classic texture.
- Apple cider vinegar: Brightens the slaw and keeps it from tasting heavy.
- Whole grain mustard: Adds tang and subtle texture.
- Maple syrup: Just enough sweetness to balance the vinegar and mustard.
For Slider Assembly
- Slider buns: Soft yet sturdy enough to hold the pork and slaw.
- Butter: Brushed on the buns to add richness and help them toast.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory depth to the buttery topping.
- Granulated garlic & granulated onion: Simple pantry staples that boost flavor.
- Brown sugar (optional): Adds a touch of sweetness for a lightly caramelized finish.
- Sesame seeds: A light crunch and bakery-style finish.
- Thinly sliced onion: Optional, but adds sharpness and classic BBQ bite.
Swaps & Variations
These pulled pork sliders with slaw are easy to customize depending on the flavor profile you want.
- Use your favorite pork cut: Pork shoulder, pork butt, or picnic roast all cook down into tender shredded pork.
- Swap the BBQ sauce: Carolina mustard sauce adds tang, but traditional tomato-based BBQ sauce works just as well.
- Change the buns: Hawaiian rolls, brioche buns, potato rolls, or classic slider buns all work well for pulled pork sliders.
- Adjust the heat level: Add cayenne, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes for spicier pulled pork sliders.
- Try different slaw styles: Creamy coleslaw, vinegar slaw, or spicy slaw all pair well with the rich pulled pork.
Tips For The Best Pulled Pork Sliders
A few simple tips help these pulled pork sliders stay juicy, flavorful, and perfectly balanced.
- Cook the pork fat-side up: As the fat renders, it helps keep the pulled pork tender and juicy.
- Give the pork enough time: The pork should shred easily with a fork before serving. If it still feels tough, let it cook longer.
- Drain excess liquid: Too much cooking liquid can make the slider buns soggy.
- Add the slaw right before serving: This keeps the buns soft without becoming overly wet.
- Toast the buns: Brushing the buns with seasoned butter adds flavor and helps them hold up better under the pulled pork and slaw.
Dutch Oven & Instant Pot Instructions
Dutch Oven Method
Add the pork, BBQ sauce, broth, and seasonings to a Dutch oven. Cover and cook at 250°F for 7–8 hours, or until the pork is fall-apart tender and shreds easily.
Instant Pot Method
Add the pork, BBQ sauce, broth, and seasonings to the Instant Pot. Cook on HIGH pressure for 60–75 minutes, depending on the size of the roast. Allow a 15-minute natural release before shredding the pork and assembling the sliders.
Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe
Ingredients
Pulled Pork
- 3 lb pork picnic roast
- 1-2 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning or your favorite bbq seasoning
- 1 recipe Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
- 1-2 cups chicken broth
Coleslaw
- 16 oz bag coleslaw mix
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
- 1-2 tbsp maple syrup
Finishing
- 12 slider buns
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon granulated onion
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar optional
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- thinly sliced onions and pickles for serving
Instructions
Pulled Pork
- Add the pork roast, seasoning, BBQ sauce, and broth to the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 4–6 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender.
- Shred the pork and keep it in the cooking liquid until ready to assemble.
Coleslaw
- Combine all coleslaw ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Assemble the Sliders
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Using a serrated knife, slice the slider rolls in half, keeping tops and bottoms intact. Place the bottoms on the prepared pan.
- Layer the rolls with drained pulled pork and drizzle with additional BBQ sauce.
- Place the tops of the rolls back on.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, granulated garlic, and granulated onion. Brush over the tops of the rolls and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for about 20 minutes, until the rolls are warmed through.
- Remove foil and bake 3–5 minutes longer if you’d like the tops more golden.
- Top with coleslaw, sliced onions, and pickles. Serve with extra BBQ sauce and enjoy.
Nutrition
Serving & Topping Ideas
These pulled pork sliders with slaw pair perfectly with classic BBQ sides and crunchy toppings.
- Easy sides: Instant Pot Pinto Beans, Mexican Street Corn Salad, or Dill Pickle Pasta Salad all work beautifully.
- Keep it classic: Kettle-cooked potato chips or crispy fries are always a great match with pulled pork sliders.
- Add extra toppings: Pickles, thinly sliced onions, or fried onion strings add crunch and balance to the rich pork.
- Make it party-friendly: Set everything out buffet-style and let everyone build their own sliders with their favorite toppings.
Storage & Reheating
- Best assembly: Build the sliders just before serving. Add the coleslaw at the last minute to avoid soggy buns.
- Refrigerator: Store the pulled pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep the coleslaw and slider buns stored separately.
- Freezer: Pulled pork freezes very well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm the pulled pork gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or BBQ sauce if needed to keep it juicy.
You Asked, I Answered
What cut of pork works best for pulled pork sliders?
Pork shoulder, pork butt, or picnic roast all work well because they become tender and easy to shred after slow cooking.
Can I make pulled pork sliders ahead of time?
Absolutely. The pulled pork can be made 1–2 days ahead and reheated before serving. For the best texture, assemble the sliders and add the slaw right before eating.
What is a pork picnic roast?
A pork picnic roast is a cut from the lower portion of the pork shoulder, closer to the foreleg. It’s typically smaller than a pork butt, making it a great size for pulled pork sliders. Pork butt or a full pork shoulder also work just as well in this recipe.
Can I make these pulled pork sliders gluten-free?
Yes. The pulled pork and slaw are naturally gluten-free — just use your favorite gluten-free slider buns.
Can I add cheese to pulled pork sliders?
Definitely. Cheddar, pepper jack, or smoked gouda all melt well with the pulled pork and BBQ sauce.
Other Sandwiches You'll Also Love
If simple, hearty sandwiches are on repeat, these are next.
- Pork Bánh Mì: Tender pork layered with crunchy veggies and bold, fresh flavors — a lighter but incredibly satisfying sandwich.
- Roasted Pork Tenderloin Sandwich: Juicy roasted pork with a bright, creamy spread and fresh toppings for an easy lunch or dinner.
- Steak Sandwich with Creamy Horseradish Sauce: Quick-cooked steak, toasted bread, and a bold, steakhouse-style sauce.
- French Dip Sliders: A cozy, crowd-friendly classic with melty cheese and plenty of au jus for dipping.
Who’s Stirring the Pot?
Hi, I’m Ruth—recipe developer, comfort-food creator, and the voice behind Rufus For Real. I specialize in cozy, doable, flavor-packed meals for real-life kitchens, and I’m a firm believer that breakfast, dinner, and everything in between should be simple, satisfying, and impossible to mess up.
You’ll find me sharing even more comfort-food goodness, kitchen tips, and behind-the-scenes chaos over on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube (@rufusforreal everywhere).
If you love approachable recipes with a whole lot of personality, pull up a chair—there’s always room at this table.
Happy Cooking!
-Ruth aka Rufus
Leave a Reply