Let’s talk about party food that actually gets people excited. You know the kind—disappears from the platter in minutes, with guests happily asking, “Who made these?”
That’s the magic of Easy Pulled Pork Sliders. They’re not your everyday sandwich. Think of them as warm, hearty, and utterly irresistible little packages, perfect for sharing.
The best part? They’re incredibly simple to pull off. Honestly, the hardest part is waiting for them to come out of the oven.
We’re taking tender, savory pulled pork and piling it onto soft slider buns. Then, we brush them with a golden, flavor-packed butter and bake them until everything is warm, toasty, and fused together.
A cool, crunchy slaw goes on top at the end for the perfect fresh contrast. It’s a combination that just works, every single time. Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weeknight or hosting a crowd for game day, these sliders are your secret weapon.
They deliver maximum flavor with minimal fuss, and that’s a promise.
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
First off, the speed. From start to finish, you’re looking at about 25 minutes of active time. That’s less than half an hour for a dish that tastes like you fussed over it all afternoon. It’s the definition of a smart shortcut.
Then, there’s the flexibility. Have some leftover pulled pork from the slow cooker? This is its glorious destiny. Picked up a container of pre-cooked pulled pork from the store?
That works perfectly, too. The recipe meets you where you are. It’s also a fantastic way to serve a group without being stuck in the kitchen. You assemble, bake, and become the host who gets to enjoy the party.
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
Gathering your ingredients is the first simple step. Here’s what you’ll need, broken down by component so it’s easy to shop and prep.
- For the Coleslaw (optional, but recommended): Mayo, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar create a tangy, creamy dressing base. Onion powder and sea salt deepen the flavor. A bag of pre-shredded cabbage slaw mix saves loads of time and adds great crunch and color.
- For the Sliders: A 12-pack of slider buns forms the foundation. Hawaiian sweet rolls are a fantastic choice here, as their slight sweetness complements the savory pork beautifully. You’ll need about three cups of cooked pulled pork, homemade or store-bought.
- For the Butter Topping (the secret weapon): Butter, Worcestershire sauce, onion or garlic salt, and poppy seeds. This mixture melts into the buns as they bake, creating an incredibly savory, glossy, and flavorful crust that elevates the entire dish.
- The Finishing Touch: Your favorite BBQ sauce is optional but great for adding an extra layer of tangy sweetness to the pork if you like.
How to make Easy Pulled Pork Sliders?
Now, let’s walk through the simple process. It’s mostly assembly, with a quick bake to bring it all together.
Step 1 – Prepare the Coleslaw
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayo, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, and sea salt. Add the bag of slaw mix. Toss everything until the vegetables are evenly coated in that creamy dressing. You can do this a couple of hours ahead, which lets the flavors really marry.
Step 2 – Assemble the Slider Base
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Take your whole package of slider buns and slice the entire block in half horizontally, keeping the top and bottom halves intact. Carefully lift off the top “sheet” of buns and set it aside for a moment.
Step 3 – Layer the Pork
Place the bottom half of the buns in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the pulled pork evenly over the buns. If you’re using BBQ sauce, drizzle it over the pork now. Gently place the top half of the buns back on, like putting the lid back on a box.
Step 4 – Create the Savory Butter Glaze
In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, Worcestershire sauce, onion salt, and poppy seeds. Microwave it in 30-second bursts until the butter is completely melted. Give it a good stir.
Step 5 – Glaze and Bake
Slowly and evenly pour or spoon the butter mixture over the top of the buns. Try to get those poppy seeds distributed well. Cover the entire dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes. This steams everything and warms it through.
Step 6 – Brown the Tops
Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes. This final uncovered bake gives the bun tops a beautiful, golden-brown finish and a slightly crisp texture.
Step 7 – Add Slaw and Serve
Let the sliders cool for just a few minutes. Then, carefully lift off the top buns again. Spoon a generous amount of the prepared coleslaw over the pork. Replace the tops, slice into individual sliders, and serve immediately. The contrast of warm pork and cool, crunchy slaw is phenomenal.
Ingredient Substitutions & Swaps
Don’t let a missing ingredient stop you. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Here are some easy swaps you can make.
- No Dijon Mustard? Yellow mustard works just fine. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Out of Poppy Seeds? You can simply omit them. The butter, Worcestershire, and onion salt still make an amazing glaze. Sesame seeds are a decent substitute in a pinch.
- Different Meat: Shredded chicken, especially if it’s tossed in BBQ sauce, is a fantastic alternative. Even thinly sliced deli ham or leftover chopped pork tenderloin would work well here.
- Bun Varieties: While Hawaiian rolls are ideal, any soft dinner rolls, potato rolls, or small brioche buns will do the job. The goal is something soft that will soak up the butter glaze.
Tips
A few little insights can make your slider experience even smoother. These tips come straight from my own kitchen trials.
- For the absolute best coleslaw, make it at least an hour ahead of time. Letting it sit in the fridge allows the cabbage to soften slightly and the flavors to blend deeply.
- You can assemble the sliders completely (up to adding the butter topping) up to 4 hours in advance. Just cover the dish and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. You may need to add a minute or two to the baking time since you’re starting from cold.
- These are truly best served hot from the oven. To keep them warm for a party spread, you can cover them with foil and place them in an oven set to the “warm” setting (around 170°F).
- Need to scale up? This recipe doubles or even triples beautifully for a large crowd. Just use a larger baking sheet or multiple dishes.
Fun Flavor Variations
Once you master the classic version, feel free to get creative. Here are some playful twists to keep things interesting.
- Spicy Kick: Add a layer of pickled jalapeño slices over the pork before adding the bun top. You could also use a spicy BBQ sauce or add a dash of hot sauce to the butter glaze.
- Cheesy Goodness: Skip the slaw and instead place a slice of cheese over the pork before baking. Swiss, cheddar, pepper jack, or provolone all melt beautifully into the warm pork.
- Caramelized Onion Twist: Sauté a thinly sliced onion until soft and golden brown. Layer this sweet, savory onion over the pulled pork before adding the top bun.
- Hawaiian Inspiration: Add a ring of canned pineapple (well-drained) over the pork with the cheese option above for a sweet and salty tropical vibe.
And that’s all there is to it. Easy Pulled Pork Sliders are more than just a recipe; they’re a reliable, crowd-pleasing strategy. They bring people together over fantastic food without demanding your entire day.
The next time you need a guaranteed hit, whether for a casual dinner or a house full of friends, you know exactly what to do. Now, go preheat that oven. Your new favorite party trick is waiting.
Easy Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe
Description
Pulled pork takes a new form in these hearty sandwiches. These pulled pork sliders are warm sandwiches filled with shredded BBQ pulled pork and coleslaw. The buns are brushed with a flavorful onion poppy seed butter and baked in the oven to golden brown perfection. They're super quick to whip up, full of flavor, and absolutely drool-worthy. Perfect for a crowd and the ultimate party snack!
ingredients
Coleslaw Ingredients
Slider Ingredients
Instructions
For coleslaw:
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In a large mixing bowl, stir together mayo, mustard, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, and sea salt. Toss in the coleslaw mix. Stir everything together until the slaw is completely coated in the dressing. For best flavor, make this a couple of hours before serving so the flavors can meld.
For sliders:
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Preheat oven to 375°F.
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Slice the slider buns in half horizontally. Remove the top halves and set aside.
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Place the bottom halves in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer the pulled pork evenly over the buns. Add BBQ sauce if desired, then replace the top halves of the buns.
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In a microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, Worcestershire sauce, onion (or garlic) salt, and poppy seeds. Microwave for 30–60 seconds until fully melted.
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Slowly pour or spoon the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the buns, ensuring poppy seeds are distributed.
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Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes.
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Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until buns are golden and warmed through.
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Let cool slightly. If using coleslaw, lift the top bun halves, add a spoonful of slaw, then replace the tops. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 303kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 17g27%
- Saturated Fat 5g25%
- Cholesterol 40mg14%
- Sodium 570mg24%
- Potassium 44mg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 29g10%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 12g
- Protein 10g20%
- Calcium 67 mg
- Iron 2 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Make ahead: Assemble sliders up to 4 hours in advance; refrigerate covered until ready to bake.
- Serving tip: Best served immediately after baking. To keep warm for parties, cover with foil and hold in a 170°F oven or wrap individually and place in a slow cooker on warm setting.
- Variations: Swap pulled pork for shredded chicken or ham. Add cheese, pickled jalapeños, or use different buns like brioche or potato rolls.
