Flavorful Brown Sugar Bourbon Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender, juicy pulled pork slow cooked with a sweet and smoky bourbon brown sugar sauce, served on toasted slider buns for a perfect casual meal or entertaining dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours (slow cooker low) or 4-5 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes to 10 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker low) or 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker high)
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (Boston butt), well-marbled
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey (e.g., Maker’s Mark or Buffalo Trace)
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- About 12 slider buns, soft and slightly toasted
- Optional toppings: coleslaw, pickles, sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from pork shoulder, leaving some marbling. Pat dry with paper towels.
- In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, bourbon, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until sugar mostly dissolves.
- Place pork shoulder in slow cooker and pour sauce evenly over it, coating well.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Remove pork from slow cooker and shred using two forks or tongs, discarding large fat chunks.
- Return shredded pork to slow cooker and stir into remaining sauce. Let soak for 10-15 minutes to absorb flavors. Keep warm.
- Lightly butter slider buns and toast in skillet or oven until golden and slightly crispy.
- Assemble sliders by piling pulled pork on bun bottoms, adding optional toppings, then capping with bun tops. Serve immediately.
Notes
If sauce is too thin after cooking, simmer in a saucepan to thicken before mixing with pork. Toasting buns prevents sogginess and adds texture. Use tongs to shred pork for better texture. For gluten-free, swap buns for gluten-free rolls or lettuce wraps. For dairy-free, skip creamy toppings or use vegan mayo. Substitute bourbon with apple juice or broth for non-alcoholic version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 18
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