Summertime is all about casual, crowd-pleasing eats, and these Smoky Maple BBQ Pork Sliders with Tangy Slaw are the ultimate backyard barbecue hero. Tender, shredded pork is tossed in a smoky-sweet maple barbecue sauce and piled high on fluffy slider buns, topped with a cool and crunchy tangy slaw. It’s a flavor-packed, handheld delight that’s sure to be the star of any cookout or game day spread.
Why You’ll Love This Smoky Maple BBQ Pork Sliders with Tangy Slaw
These sliders are the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. The pork is slow-cooked until it’s meltingly tender, then coated in a smoky-sweet maple barbecue sauce that’s hard to resist. The cool, crunchy slaw adds a refreshing contrast, with its tangy dressing and crunchy shredded veggies. Plus, the slider buns make them the perfect handheld party food – no forks required! These sliders are a crowd-pleasing dish that’s easy to prepare and impossible not to love.
Ingredients
For the pork: Boneless pork shoulder, olive oil, garlic, onion, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. For the barbecue sauce: Ketchup, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. For the slaw: Shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Pork Shoulder: If you can’t find pork shoulder, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead (they’ll stay nice and juicy).
- Mayonnaise: If you’re not a fan of mayo, you can use all Greek yogurt in the slaw dressing (it’ll still be deliciously tangy).
How to Make Smoky Maple BBQ Pork Sliders with Tangy Slaw
First, you’ll season the pork shoulder and sear it to get a nice crust. Then, transfer it to a slow cooker and let it cook low and slow until it’s fall-apart tender. While the pork is cooking, you’ll whip up the tangy slaw dressing and toss it with the shredded veggies. When the pork is done, you’ll shred it and toss it with the smoky-sweet barbecue sauce. Then it’s just a matter of piling the saucy pork onto slider buns and topping them with the cool, crunchy slaw.
Step 1: Prep Work
Season the pork shoulder all over with the spices. Sear the pork in a hot pan to get a nice crust on the outside. Then, transfer the pork to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until it’s fall-apart tender.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
While the pork is cooking, make the tangy slaw dressing by whisking together the Greek yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss the dressing with the shredded cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Once the pork is cooked, shred it with two forks. In a large bowl, toss the shredded pork with the smoky-sweet barbecue sauce until well coated. Pile the saucy pork onto the slider buns and top with the tangy slaw.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Extra Flavor Boost: For even more flavor, try adding a sprinkling of crumbled feta or shredded cheddar cheese to the sliders.
- Kick Up the Heat: You can amp up the heat by stirring in some minced jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce to the barbecue sauce.
- Fancy Toppings: For a fancy touch, try topping the sliders with crispy fried onion strings or a drizzle of creamy coleslaw dressing.
- Gluten-Free Swap: You can easily make these sliders gluten-free by using gluten-free slider buns or lettuce wraps instead of the traditional buns.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These Smoky Maple BBQ Pork Sliders pair perfectly with classic barbecue sides like baked beans, macaroni salad, or crispy potato wedges.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The pork and slaw can be prepped ahead of time and assembled just before serving.
Reheat: The pork can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot and saucy.
Make-Ahead: The pork and slaw can be made in advance, then assembled right before your guests arrive for a stress-free party.
Nutrition Information
One Smoky Maple BBQ Pork Slider with Tangy Slaw contains approximately 350 calories, 18g of fat, 32g of carbs, and 19g of protein. It’s a satisfying and flavor-packed meal that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 19 g
- Carbs: 32 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the pork in the Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker?
Absolutely! You can cook the pork shoulder in the Instant Pot on the “Meat/Stew” setting for 60-90 minutes, until it’s tender enough to shred.
Can I use a different type of meat?
While pork shoulder is the traditional choice, you can use other cuts of pork or even chicken thighs if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
How far in advance can I make the slaw?
The slaw can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. The dressing will keep the veggies crisp and fresh.
Can I make these sliders gluten-free?
Yes, you can easily make these sliders gluten-free by using gluten-free slider buns or lettuce wraps instead of the traditional buns.
What should I serve with these sliders?
These Smoky Maple BBQ Pork Sliders pair perfectly with classic barbecue sides like baked beans, macaroni salad, or crispy potato wedges.
Try These Next
- Smoky Bbq Pulled Pork Nachos With Cheese Sauce
- Smoky Maple Bacon Bbq Chicken Sandwich
- Bbq Grilling Smokehouse
Smoky Maple BBQ Pork Sliders with Tangy Slaw
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Total Time: 255 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: 🔥 BBQ, Grilling & Smokehouse
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Smoky Maple BBQ Pork Sliders are packed with flavor and topped with a tangy slaw. Perfect for your next BBQ or gathering!
Ingredients
1. 2 lbs pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into chunks
2. 1 cup maple syrup
3. 1 cup BBQ sauce
4. 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
5. 1 teaspoon garlic powder
6. 1 teaspoon onion powder
7. Salt and pepper to taste
8. 12 slider buns
9. 2 cups coleslaw mix
10. 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
11. 1 tablespoon sugar
12. 1 teaspoon celery seeds
Instructions
1. 1. In a slow cooker, combine pork shoulder, maple syrup, BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. 2. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until the pork is tender.
3. 3. Shred the pork with two forks and mix it with the cooking juices.
4. 4. In a bowl, combine coleslaw mix, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and celery seeds. Toss to combine.
5. 5. To assemble sliders, place a generous amount of pulled pork on the bottom half of each slider bun.
6. 6. Top with tangy slaw and cover with the top half of the bun.
7. 7. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Make sure to let the pork rest for a few minutes before shredding. You can also customize the slaw by adding chopped apples or nuts for added crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: BBQ, sliders, pork, maple, smoky