Pulled Pork Sliders (Easy Crockpot Recipe for Tender, Juicy Pork)

These Pulled Pork Sliders are made with a tender, slow-cooked pork butt, seasoned with a homemade BBQ rub, and finished with a rich, flavorful BBQ sauce. Cooked low and slow in the crockpot, this pulled pork turns out incredibly juicy and full of flavor every time.

Perfect for cookouts, tailgates, family gatherings, and even fundraisers, these sliders are always a crowd favorite.

We serve pulled pork sliders often at family cookouts and tailgate parties. Over the past couple of years, I’ve also made them for fundraising events, and I’m always asked for the recipe.

They are the perfect size for kids, and a great alternative to typical concession stand treats. One pork butt makes a large batch, which makes this recipe both budget-friendly and ideal for feeding a crowd.

HOW TO MAKE PULLED PORK SLIDERS

Ingredients

(Full measurements are in the recipe card below.)

BBQ Rub

• Sugar
• Brown sugar
• Kosher salt
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Red pepper flakes
• Coarse black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Dry mustard
• BBQ seasoning

For the Pulled Pork

• Pork butt (pork shoulder)
• 2 cups water
• BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought)

For Serving

• Slider buns
• Coleslaw
• Pickles
• Mustard

How to Make Pulled Pork in the Crockpot

1. Prepare the BBQ rub and coat the pork butt on all sides.
   (Tip: For best flavor, do this the day before and refrigerate.)
2. Place the pork in a large crockpot and add 2 cups of water.
3. Cover and cook:
   • On LOW for 10–12 hours
   • Or HIGH for 7–8 hours
4. Remove the pork once it is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
5. Shred the meat using two forks, removing excess fat as desired.
6. Spoon some of the cooking juices over the meat to keep it moist.
7. Add BBQ sauce and toss to combine.
8. Return to the crockpot or place in a serving dish and keep warm.

The recipe for my homemade BBQ Rub and Homemade BBQ Sauce are included on the printable recipe card.

Prepare the BBQ rub as directed. Rub spice mixture on all sides of pork butt. 

Place in a large crockpot and add 2 cups of water to the bottom. Cover with lid and cook on low for 12 hours or 7-8 hours on high.

Remove to a platter or pan after cooking. Should be falling off the
bone.

Shred meat with 2 forks, remove the fat. Place in large Ziploc
bag if not serving immediately. Spoon some of the juice from the crockpot over the meat, (add some BBQ sauce if desired) and toss to combine. Place in serving pan or back in the crockpot.

Ladle the juice from the crockpot into a jar. Allow fat to cool and
harden at the top.  Remove and discard this fat.  Prior to serving,
spoon some of the broth back over the meat and warm slowly on
low in crockpot.  Makes meat so moist!

Serve remaining sauce on the side. We serve on slider buns, with pickles, mustard or coleslaw if desired.

Serving Ideas

Pulled pork is incredibly versatile! Use it for:

• Sliders and sandwiches
• Nachos
• Pizza
• Salads
• Grain bowls

If you have leftover pulled pork, it is delicious in 
BBQ Pulled Pork Salad. 
Pulled Pork Pimento Cheese Sliders.

The best sides to serve with these sliders are
DEVILED EGGS, BAKED BEANS AND WIENERS, POTATO SALAD, and potato chips.

Why You Will Love Pulled Pork Sliders

• They are so delicious from the meat being cooked in a slow cooker. The meat gets so tender and the flavors develop from the rub.
• Pulled pork is such a versatile and budget friendly meat. It can be used as a sandwich, on nachos, on pizza, and on a salad.
• It serves a lot of people, making it perfect for fundraising events, cook-outs, weddings and any social gathering.

Helpful Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

• If possible, rub the pork butt with your seasoning mix the day before cooking it for ultimate flavor. The longer you can leave the rub on, the more flavorful it will be.
• Place meat in large Ziploc bag if not serving immediately. Spoon some of the juice from the crockpot over the meat for extra moistness.
• Ladle the remaining juice from the crockpot into a jar. Allow fat to cool and harden at the top.  Remove and discard this fat.  Prior to serving, spoon some of the broth back over the meat and warm slowly on low in crockpot.  Makes meat so moist!
• You can use a rub of your choice, a packaged one, or the one in my recipe card.

How can I reheat this meat without drying it out?
I always save the broth it was cooked in and pour some of it over the meat. Toss the meat and broth together, then warm on low in a crockpot.

How long does this last in the refrigerator?
Store cooked pulled pork in an airtight container, or Ziploc freezer bag in the refrigerator for 3 days.

Can I freeze leftover pulled pork?
YES, place the meat in a Ziploc freezer bag or an airtight freezer container and use within 2 months. I freeze it with extra broth poured over the meat.

This post was shared on Sweet Little Bluebird Weekend Potluck.

Print Pin

Pulled Pork Sliders

 Pulled Pork Sliders are made from a pork butt rubbed with a homemade rub recipe, cooked in a crockpot, and covered with homemade bbq sauce.  The juiciest ones you will ever eat. 

Course Sandwiches/Burgers

Cuisine American

Keyword Pulled Pork Sliders, BBQ Pork Sliders

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time 12 hours hours

Total Time 12 hours hours 25 minutes minutes

Servings 24

Calories 340kcal

Author pamelashank2015

Ingredients

• Recipe for BBQ rub
• Recipe for BBQ sauce
• 5-7 lb pork butt
• 24 slider buns
• mustard pickles, cole slaw to serve (optional)

Instructions

• Prepare BBQ rub as directed. Rub spice mixture on all sides of pork butt. May prepare day ahead if desired.
• Place pork butt in large crockpot and add 2 cups of water to the bottom. Cover with lid and cook on low for 12 hours or until pork is tender enough to pull apart with forks. May cook on high 7-8 hours if desired instead.
• Prepare BBQ sauce. Make a double or triple amount for this meat.
• Transfer pork to a large pan and pull apart with 2 forks. Spoon some of the juice from the crockpot over the meat if desired for extra moistness. Pour some of the sauce over the shredded meat and toss to combine. Place in serving pan or back in the crockpot.
• Serve remaining sauce on the side.
• Serve on slider buns. Serve with pickles, mustard or coleslaw if desired.

Notes

1. BBQ RUB:
   2 Tablespoons sugar
   1 Tablespoon kosher salt
   1/2 cup brown sugar
   1 Tablespoon chili powder
   1/2 teaspoon cumin
   2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
   1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
   1 teaspoon garlic powder
   1 teaspoon dry mustard
   2 teaspoons McCormick Grill Mates BBQ Seasoning
   Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or ziploc bag. Makes 1 cup.
2. BBQ SAUCE:
   1/4 cup honey BBQ sauce
   1 cup ketchup
   1 teaspoon lemon juice
   1/3 to 1/4 cup brown sugar
   3 teaspoons McCormick Grill Mates BBQ Seasoning
   In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients. Simmer over a low heat about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Makes 2 cups

NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER. Calorie count provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Helpful Tips 

• If possible, rub the pork butt with your seasoning mix the day before cooking it for ultimate flavor. The longer you can leave the rub on, the more flavorful it will be.
• Place meat in large Ziploc bag if not serving immediately. Spoon some of the juice from the crockpot over the meat for extra moistness.
• Ladle the remaining juice from the crockpot into a jar. Allow fat to cool and harden at the top.  Remove and discard this fat.  Prior to serving, spoon some of the broth back over the meat and warm slowly on low in crockpot.  Makes meat so moist!
• You can use a rub of your choice, a packaged one, or the one in my recipe card.