Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? Get ready to transform your ordinary pulled pork into an EPIC Smoky Applewood Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy BBQ Sauce! This dish is about to make your taste buds explode with flavor. We’re talking smoky, savory, and tangy all in one insanely tasty package. This is the ultimate party food that’s gonna have your friends and family begging for more. Let’s get this flavor adventure started, shall we?
Why You’ll Love This Smoky Applewood Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy BBQ Sauce
These Smoky Applewood Pulled Pork Sliders are about to become your new go-to party food! The combination of the smoky, tender pulled pork and the tangy, homemade BBQ sauce is truly LEGENDARY. The sweet Hawaiian rolls perfectly complement the bold flavors, creating a sensational flavor explosion in every bite. This dish is a total crowd-pleaser that’s sure to have everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds!). Plus, it’s crazy easy to make, so you can spend more time hanging out with your guests and less time in the kitchen. Get ready to become the host with the most thanks to these epic sliders!
Ingredients
To make these Smoky Applewood Pulled Pork Sliders, you’ll need a few key ingredients: a pork shoulder or butt, applewood chips, brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and your favorite BBQ sauce. For the sliders, you’ll need Hawaiian rolls or similar soft, sweet rolls. That’s it! With these simple, mouth-watering ingredients, you’re about to create a dish that’s truly INSANE.
- 3-4 lbs – Pork shoulder or butt
- 2 cups – Applewood chips
- 1/2 cup – Brown sugar
- 2 tbsp – Paprika
- 1 tbsp – Chili powder
- 2 tsp – Garlic powder
- 2 tsp – Onion powder
- 1 tsp – Salt
- 1 tsp – Pepper
- 2 cups – BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 12 – Hawaiian rolls or soft, sweet rolls
Ingredient Substitutions
- Wood Chips: Feel free to use your favorite wood chips instead of applewood, like hickory or mesquite. They’ll all add an incredible smoky flavor!
- BBQ Sauce: If you’re not into making your own BBQ sauce, grab your go-to store-bought version – it’ll still be incredible!
How to Make Smoky Applewood Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy BBQ Sauce
Let’s get this flavor party started! First, you’ll need to prepare your pork shoulder. Rub it all over with a delicious blend of brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Preheat your smoker or oven to 225°F and get ready to create some serious smoke.
Step 1: [Prep Work]
Once your pork is seasoned to perfection, it’s time to work some magic. Place the pork in your smoker or oven and let the applewood chips work their smoky, irresistible wonders. Slow-cook this bad boy for 8-10 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches a mouth-watering 203°F. The low and slow cooking is the key to getting that unbelievably tender, fall-apart texture.
Step 2: [Main Cooking Process]
Now comes the fun part – assembling these EPIC sliders! Gently shred the smoky, applewood-infused pork using two forks. Prepare your tangy BBQ sauce by mixing together your favorite store-bought or homemade sauce. Pile the saucy pulled pork high onto your soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls. Get ready for the most EXPLOSIVE flavor combination you’ve ever experienced!
Step 3: [Final Steps/Assembly]
If you want to take these sliders to the next level, try topping them with some crispy onion strings or coleslaw for an extra layer of texture and flavor. Trust me, your guests are going to go WILD for these!
Step 4: [Finishing Touches]
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Try Different Wood Chips: Don’t be afraid to get creative with this recipe! Try using different wood chips to infuse your pork with unique smoky flavors, like hickory or mesquite.
- Experiment with BBQ Sauce Flavors: You can also experiment with various BBQ sauce flavors, from sweet and tangy to spicy and bold.
- Add Some Zing: For a fun twist, add some diced pickles or jalapeños to the pulled pork for a little extra zing.
- Use a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot: If you’re in a time crunch, you can absolutely use a slow cooker or Instant Pot to make the pulled pork. Just be sure to still give it that signature smoky applewood flavor by adding the wood chips to your cooking liquid.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Crispy fries, crunchy coleslaw, and soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls.
Storage: Store the shredded pork and BBQ sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge. The pork will keep for up to 4 days, and the sauce will last for about a week. You can also freeze both components for up to 3 months for easy meal prep!
Reheat: Reheat the pulled pork in a skillet or the microwave, then assemble your sliders with the tangy BBQ sauce.
Make-Ahead: The tangy BBQ sauce can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the fridge, so you can focus on the pulled pork on the day of and have the sauce ready to go for easy assembly.
Nutrition Information
These Smoky Applewood Pulled Pork Sliders are a total flavor explosion, but they’re also surprisingly nutritious! Each slider packs about 250 calories, 15g of protein, and 8g of fat. The applewood-smoked pork provides a hearty serving of iron and zinc, while the tangy BBQ sauce adds a touch of vitamin C. And those sweet, soft Hawaiian rolls are the perfect vehicle for all that deliciousness.
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 15 g
- Carbs: 25 g
- Fat: 8 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to cook the pulled pork?
The key to tender, fall-apart pulled pork is low and slow cooking. Plan for 8-10 hours of cooking time in the smoker or oven, until the internal temperature reaches a mouth-watering 203°F.
Can I use a slow cooker or Instant Pot instead of a smoker?
Absolutely! If you don’t have a smoker, you can easily make the pulled pork in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Just be sure to add some applewood chips or liquid smoke to the cooking liquid to get that signature smoky flavor.
What kind of wood chips should I use?
Applewood is the star of the show in this recipe, but you can experiment with other types of wood chips too. Hickory, mesquite, and oak all make INCREDIBLE smoky flavors that will take your pulled pork to the next level.
Can I make the BBQ sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! The tangy BBQ sauce can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the fridge. That way, you can focus on the pulled pork on the day of and have the sauce ready to go for easy assembly.
How do I reheat the leftovers?
For the best texture, reheat the pulled pork in a skillet or the microwave, then assemble your sliders with the tangy BBQ sauce. The pork will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge, and the sauce will last for about a week. You can also freeze both components for up to 3 months for easy meal prep!
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Smoky Applewood Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy BBQ Sauce
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 480 minutes
- Total Time: 500 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: 🍖 SMOKE HOUSE
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
Tender pulled pork infused with smoky applewood flavor and served on soft sliders with a tangy BBQ sauce. Perfect for gatherings!
Ingredients
4 lbs pork shoulder (Boston butt)
2 tbsp applewood smoked paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup chicken broth
12 slider buns
1 cup tangy BBQ sauce
Instructions
1. 1. In a bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper.
2. 2. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder.
3. 3. Place the pork in a slow cooker and add the apple cider vinegar and chicken broth.
4. 4. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
5. 5. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks.
6. 6. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix it with the tangy BBQ sauce.
7. 7. Serve the pulled pork on slider buns, topped with additional BBQ sauce if desired.
Notes
For extra flavor, let the pork marinate in the rub overnight before cooking.
Feel free to add coleslaw on top of the sliders for added crunch!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: pulled pork, sliders, BBQ