Imagine tender, smoky pulled pork piled high on soft, sweet slider buns, often topped with a tangy coleslaw or a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce. These Pulled Pork Sliders are a classic for a reason – they’re incredibly flavorful, deeply satisfying, and perfect for feeding a crowd at any gathering, from game days to backyard barbecues. They’re easy to assemble and guaranteed to be a huge hit!
Why I Love This Recipe
I’m a huge fan of dishes that deliver big on comfort and flavor with minimal fuss, and these Pulled Pork Sliders absolutely nail it! What I truly adore is how they take tender, savory pulled pork (often made easily in a slow cooker) and transform it into a perfectly portioned, handheld delight. The combination of the smoky meat, the sweetness of the Hawaiian rolls, and the tang of BBQ sauce creates an irresistible bite. They’re incredibly satisfying and always disappear fast at every party. Plus, they’re surprisingly simple to assemble, especially if you use pre-cooked pulled pork, making them a go-to for effortless entertaining!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked pulled pork (homemade or store-bought, ideally seasoned with BBQ spices)
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1 (12-count) package Hawaiian sweet rolls or other soft slider buns, split horizontally
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (optional, but recommended for extra gooeyness)
- Optional: Coleslaw for topping
- Optional: Thinly sliced pickled red onion or jalapeños for garnish
- Optional: 2 tbsp melted butter + 1 tsp garlic powder (for brushing buns)
Swaps and Notes
- Pulled Pork: The star of the show! You can use homemade pulled pork (often slow-cooked with BBQ seasoning) or a good quality store-bought pre-cooked pulled pork. Ensure it’s heated through and well-seasoned.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite brand of BBQ sauce (sweet, smoky, or spicy) and adjust the amount to your preference.
- Slider Buns: Hawaiian sweet rolls are highly recommended for their perfect size, sweetness, and soft texture, which complements the savory pulled pork. Any soft slider buns or dinner rolls will work.
- Cheese (Optional): Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese melts beautifully and adds a delicious gooey layer. Provolone or a Mexican blend also work.
- Coleslaw (Optional): A tangy coleslaw adds a fantastic crunch and fresh, creamy contrast. You can use store-bought or homemade.
- Pickled Onions/Jalapeños (Optional): These add a sharp, tangy, or spicy kick that cuts through the richness of the pork.
- Butter Topping (Optional): Brushing melted butter (plain or with garlic powder) over the tops of the buns before baking adds extra flavor and helps them brown beautifully.
Instructions:
1. Prepare Pulled Pork Mixture: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a medium bowl, combine the 2 cups cooked pulled pork and ½ cup BBQ sauce. Stir well until the pork is thoroughly coated. If your pulled pork is cold, gently warm this mixture in a microwave or on the stovetop until hot.
2. Assemble Sliders: Carefully slice the entire package of Hawaiian sweet rolls (or slider buns) horizontally through the middle, keeping the top and bottom halves intact. Place the bottom half of the buns in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly spread the pulled pork mixture over the bottom half of the rolls. If using, sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese generously over the pork. Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese layer.
3. Optional Butter Topping & Bake: (Optional: If using a butter topping for the buns, in a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons butter and mix with 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Brush this mixture evenly over the tops of the slider buns.) Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sliders are heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5-7 minutes of baking, or until the tops of the buns are lightly golden brown.
4. Finish & Serve: Remove the sliders from the oven. Let them cool slightly for 5 minutes. Slice along the pre-cut lines (or create your own if using un-cut rolls). If using, add a spoonful of coleslaw to each slider. Garnish with pickled red onion or jalapeños if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your easy, delicious Pulled Pork Sliders!
Tips for Success
- Warm Pulled Pork: Ensure your pulled pork is hot before layering, so the cheese melts quickly and evenly in the oven.
- Sweet Rolls: Hawaiian rolls are highly recommended as their sweetness beautifully balances the savory pork and tangy BBQ sauce.
- Don’t Over-Sauce: Use just enough BBQ sauce to coat the pork without making it overly wet, which could lead to soggy buns.
- Cover for Initial Bake: Covering the sliders with foil helps to steam them slightly, ensuring the cheese melts and the pork heats through evenly before crisping the top.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake until cheese is melted and buns are lightly golden. Overbaking can dry out the pork or harden the buns.
- Serve Warm: These sliders are best served warm when the cheese is gooey and the buns are soft.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Pulled Pork Sliders are a fantastic, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for game days, parties, or a fun family dinner.
- Game Day Spread: A must-have alongside other party favorites like Pulled Pork Nachos (to satisfy all pulled pork cravings!) or This Crockpot Nacho Dip Is the Reason I Never Have Leftovers.
- Side Dishes: Serve with classic barbecue sides like potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, or French fries.
- Drinks: Pair with cold beer, soda, or sweet iced tea.
- For other easy and flavorful chicken or meat sliders, check out these Chefmaniac.com favorites:
- Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders (for a spicy chicken option!)
- Bacon-Wrapped Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders (for another sweet & savory bacon-wrapped delight!).
- Philly Cheesesteak Casserole (for another cheesy beef bake!)
Storage and Leftover Tips
Pulled Pork Sliders are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but leftovers can be stored.
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover assembled sliders (without coleslaw or fresh toppings) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The buns may soften slightly.
- Reheating: To reheat, place in a preheated oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly again. This helps the buns re-crisp slightly. Microwaving is possible but will make the buns soggy.
- Pulled Pork (Pre-made): If you make a large batch of pulled pork, the seasoned pulled pork mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat before assembling fresh sliders.
- Freezing: Assembled and baked sliders are generally not recommended for freezing due to the bread and cheese texture changes.
Final Thoughts
These Pulled Pork Sliders are a truly irresistible dish that brings smoky, sweet, and savory barbecue flavors into a fun, easy-to-eat slider form. They’re perfect for any gathering, promising a cheesy, comforting, and utterly delicious experience. Get ready to bake a batch and watch them disappear!
What are your go-to party sliders, or do you have a secret ingredient that makes your pulled pork extra special? Share your insights and feedback in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow Chefmaniac for more exciting and delicious recipes!
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