Flavorful Smoky Maple Bourbon Pulled Pork Sliders
These smoky maple bourbon pulled pork sliders combine tender, slow-cooked pork with a subtle smoky-sweet glaze, perfect for easy party bites that impress without fuss.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 9 hours (slow cooker low) or 4 to 5 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes to 9 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 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt)
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup (120 ml) maple syrup
- ¼ cup (60 ml) bourbon
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- About 12 slider buns
- Optional toppings: coleslaw, pickles, sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Mix the dry rub: In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare the pork shoulder: Pat dry and rub the spice mix all over the pork evenly.
- Place pork in slow cooker: Put the seasoned pork in the slow cooker and pour maple syrup, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard over it.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until pork reaches 195°F (90°C) and shreds easily.
- Shred the pork: Remove pork and shred with forks or meat claws, discarding large fat pieces.
- Reduce the sauce: Pour cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Toss pork with glaze: Mix shredded pork with the reduced glaze until evenly coated.
- Warm slider buns: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and warm buns on a baking sheet for 5-7 minutes.
- Assemble sliders: Place pulled pork on bottom buns, add optional toppings, and cover with top buns.
- Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
If pork seems dry after shredding, add a splash of reserved cooking liquid to keep it juicy. Reducing the sauce before mixing with pork prevents soggy sliders. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. Slow cooker is preferred for ease, but Dutch oven braising is an alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 0.25
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 18
Keywords: pulled pork sliders, smoky pulled pork, maple bourbon glaze, party sliders, slow cooker pulled pork, easy pulled pork recipe