Tender BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe Easy Homemade Soft Hawaiian Rolls
A simple and satisfying recipe for tender BBQ pulled pork served on soft, slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls. Perfect for busy weeknights or gatherings, this recipe combines smoky, juicy pork with pillowy rolls for a crowd-pleasing comfort food.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (slow cooker low) or 4-6 hours (slow cooker high) or about 1 hour (pressure cooker)
- Total Time: 8.5 hours (slow cooker low) or 4.5-6.5 hours (slow cooker high) or about 1.5 hours (pressure cooker)
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), well-marbled
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (smoky, slightly sweet variety like Sweet Baby Ray’s or homemade)
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced thin
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 12 soft Hawaiian rolls (King’s Hawaiian recommended)
- Optional toppings: pickles, coleslaw, sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Combine smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mix all over the pork, pressing it in well. Let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
- Optional: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the pork on all sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Place sliced onion and minced garlic in the bottom of a slow cooker. Set the browned pork on top. Pour apple cider vinegar and brown sugar over the pork. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours until pork is tender and shreds easily.
- Remove pork from slow cooker and shred using two forks or hands, discarding large chunks of fat.
- Return shredded pork to slow cooker, add BBQ sauce, and stir to coat evenly. Cook on low for another 20-30 minutes to heat through and soak up sauce.
- Slice Hawaiian rolls horizontally, keeping the top connected. Spoon generous portions of pulled pork onto each roll. Add optional pickles, coleslaw, or jalapeños if desired.
- Serve sliders warm immediately. If making ahead, keep pork warm in slow cooker on low and cover sliders with foil to retain softness.
Notes
If BBQ sauce is too thick, thin with apple juice or water. Watch cooking times carefully to avoid overcooking, especially in pressure cooker. Handle Hawaiian rolls gently to avoid squishing. For gluten-free, substitute rolls with gluten-free buns. Leftover pulled pork tastes better the next day as flavors meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider (about 2 oz
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 16
Keywords: BBQ pulled pork, sliders, Hawaiian rolls, slow cooker pulled pork, easy BBQ recipe, party food, comfort food