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Flavorful Honey Chipotle Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe with Jalapeño Coleslaw

honey chipotle pulled pork sliders - featured image

These honey chipotle pulled pork sliders topped with jalapeño coleslaw are a crowd-pleasing, flavorful dish perfect for parties and casual gatherings. The slow-cooked pork is tender and sweet with a smoky kick, complemented by a fresh, spicy coleslaw.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 34 lbs pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
  • 1/3 cup honey (raw or wildflower preferred)
  • 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
  • 1/2 cup apple juice
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded carrot
  • 12 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced (seeds removed for less heat)
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (vegan mayo optional)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
  • 12 slider buns, lightly toasted
  • Pickles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mix all over the pork, pressing it into the meat.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork on all sides until a deep golden crust forms, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  3. Transfer the seared pork to a slow cooker. Whisk together honey, minced chipotle peppers, and apple juice. Pour the mixture over the pork. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 4-5 hours until fork-tender.
  4. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir into the juices. Keep warm.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage, shredded carrot, and sliced jalapeños. In a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over veggies and toss to coat. Add cilantro if desired. Chill until serving.
  6. Lightly toast the slider buns in a skillet or oven just before serving.
  7. Assemble sliders by spooning pulled pork onto the bottom half of each bun, topping with jalapeño coleslaw, adding pickles if using, then placing the bun tops on.

Notes

Searing the pork before slow cooking is essential for flavor. Keep an eye on the pork during slow cooking and add apple juice or water if juices run low. Prepare coleslaw just before serving to keep it crisp. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps and dairy-free mayo if needed. Instant Pot can be used to cook pork in about 60 minutes on high pressure.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork sliders, honey chipotle pulled pork, jalapeño coleslaw, party food, slow cooker pulled pork, easy sliders, barbecue sliders