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Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders: Best Football Sunday Recipe

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These Easy Slow Cooker Football Sunday Pulled Pork Sliders are the kind of thing you set and forget while the game is on. No hovering over a stove, no complicated steps, no last-minute panic.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (also called pork butt)
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
  • 12–16 slider buns
  • Optional toppings: coleslaw, pickles, sliced jalapeños, extra barbecue sauce

Instructions

  1. Trim the pork shoulder: Place the pork shoulder on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, trim off any large, thick pieces of fat. You want to leave some fat (it adds flavor and moisture), but remove any pieces that are more than ¼-inch thick. Pat the pork dry with paper towels — this helps the dry rub stick better.
  2. Make the dry rub: In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix well with a fork or your fingers to break up any clumps.
  3. Season the pork: Rub the dry rub all over the pork shoulder, making sure to coat every surface. Don’t be shy — really work it into the meat. Let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes while you prepare the slow cooker. This allows the flavors to start penetrating the meat.
  4. Prepare the slow cooker: Place the seasoned pork shoulder in the slow cooker, fat side up. In a separate bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken broth. Pour this mixture over the pork, making sure it comes up about halfway up the sides of the meat. Don’t worry if it doesn’t cover the pork completely — the slow cooker will create steam that cooks the top portion.
  5. Cook low and slow: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours. The pork is done when it’s fork-tender — you should be able to easily pull it apart with two forks. If it’s not falling apart, let it cook for another hour. Every slow cooker runs a little differently, so trust your senses over the timer.
  6. Shred the pork: Once the pork is tender, carefully remove it from the slow cooker using tongs and place it on a large cutting board or in a large bowl. Be careful — it’s hot and will be very tender. Let it rest for 5 minutes to cool slightly. Then, using two forks (or meat claws), shred the pork into bite-sized pieces. Discard any large pieces of fat that you come across.
  7. Skim the fat (optional but recommended): The cooking liquid in the slow cooker will have a layer of fat on top. You can skim this off with a spoon or a fat separator, or you can leave it for extra flavor. I usually skim off most of it to keep the final dish from being greasy.
  8. Combine with sauce: Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it into the remaining cooking liquid. Add an additional ¼ cup of barbecue sauce if you like it extra saucy. Let it cook on LOW for another 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  9. Toast the buns (optional but worth it): While the pork is finishing, split your slider buns and toast them lightly under the broiler or on a skillet. This prevents them from getting soggy when you add the pork. Keep an eye on them — they toast quickly!
  10. Assemble the sliders: Pile a generous amount of pulled pork onto each bun bottom. Add your desired toppings — coleslaw, pickles, jalapeños, or extra barbecue sauce. Top with the bun top and serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip the searing step if you have 10 extra minutes — it creates a beautiful brown crust that adds incredible depth of flavor. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork reaches an internal temperature of 195-205°F for perfect tenderness. Don’t lift the lid too often during cooking. This pulled pork actually tastes better the next day, so consider making it ahead of time.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker pulled pork, pulled pork sliders, football sunday recipe, game day recipe, easy pulled pork, pork shoulder recipe

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/easy-slow-cooker-pulled-pork-sliders-best-football-sunday-recipe/