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BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Apple Coleslaw are warm, hearty, and full of flavor! The buns are brushed with a flavorful savory butter and baked until golden. Topped with a crunchy, tart apple coleslaw, these sliders are super quick to make and are the perfect party snack!
about this bbq pulled pork sliders recipe
I love making pulled pork on a regular basis, and one of my favorite ways to eat them is on a brioche bun with lots of coleslaw and hot sauce.
Since we are in tailgating and party season, I wanted to take all my favorite elements of pulled pork sandwiches and make them mini. Just because these sliders are small doesn’t mean they are lacking any flavor.
To give these sliders a fall twist, I made an apple coleslaw to go on top. The fruity, tart, and crunchy slaw is full of flavor and makes the perfect pairing for the savory, rich pulled pork.
These sliders are perfect for parties, gatherings, and even family dinners when you need a quick and easy weeknight dinner option. I love that they are baked because they are warm and comforting to pair with the chilled slaw.
It’s the ultimate go-to recipe for anytime of year! So let’s dive into how you make these bbq pulled pork sliders.
If you are looking for more hearty appetizers, these roast beef sliders are mouthwatering.
ingredients
vinegar. I use apple cider vinegar for the coleslaw because it lends itself best to the flavors. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you could also use red wine vinegar.
mayonnaise. Use full-fat or low-fat mayonnaise in this recipe.
sugar. You only need granulated sugar for this recipe.
spices. Only typical spices are needed here so you likely have them all in your pantry! You will need garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice is best here! You can also use store-bought if needed.
apple. I love to use a green apple in this recipe, but you can also use your favorite kind of apple if you prefer.
onion. You will need one green onion for this recipe.
coleslaw mix. I buy my coleslaw mix at the store, but you can also use green cabbage and shred it yourself.
buns. Hawaiian slider buns are best here! You can also use white or wheat slider rolls if you prefer, but I think the Hawaiian rolls taste the best.
pork. Use your favorite pulled pork here! If you need a recipe recommendation I recommend my Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe.
bbq sauce. Pick out your favorite barbecue sauce! I prefer to use original bbq sauce, but you can also use a spicy bbq sauce to add some heat to the dish.
butter. Unsalted butter is best for this recipe!
Worcestershire sauce. This gives the butter topping for the buns a nice little zing of flavor, but you can skip it if you don’t have it on hand.
this recipe’s must haves
To get the ingredients prepped for the coleslaw, you will need a sharp chef’s knife and cutting board.
You will need a couple bowls from a set of mixing bowls to start out, as well as a whisk and a wooden spoon.
To bake the bbq pork sliders, you’ll need a half sheet baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
here’s how to make bbq pulled pork sliders with apple coleslaw
make coleslaw
To make the coleslaw, add apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice to a large bowl. Whisk to combine. Add thinly sliced apple, green onion and coleslaw mix. Fold the mixture together until the slaw is fully coated.
Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
assemble sliders
Slice the buns in half and remove the tops. Place the bottom half of the buns on a lined, rimmed baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, stir together pulled pork and bbq sauce until well-coated.
Add the bbq pork on top of the buns and spread in an even layer. Top with the tops of the buns.
bake
Melt butter and stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, and garlic powder. Brush the tops of the buns with the butter.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes at 375˚F.
Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Let cool slightly, then remove tops and add coleslaw. Replace tops and serve.
More tasty slider recipes to try out: Pickle Brined Hot Chicken Sliders | Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sliders | Cheesy BBQ Chicken Pull Apart Sliders | Crunch Cheeseburger Sliders
tips for success
not a fan of pork? If you aren’t a fan of pork, you can use shredded chicken instead! You can even use shredded rotisserie chicken if you prefer.
bbq sauce. Use your favorite BBQ sauce here! You can use more than the recommended amount if you prefer it extra saucy. You can also omit the BBQ sauce if you prefer.
different rolls. I personally love pulled pork sliders on Hawaiian rolls because of their mild sweetness and the flavor pairs so well with the pulled pork, BBQ sauce and coleslaw. You can also use white bread or wheat bread sliders.
what kind of pulled pork should I use?
You can use whatever variety of pulled pork you prefer! I love my easy recipe for Instant Pot Pulled Pork because it’s ready in such little time. You can also use a slow cooker method or purchase it at the store.
can I make these sliders ahead of time?
These sliders can be assembled up to 4 hours in advance. Cover them and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake them. Bake and serve as the directions instruct.
You can also make the coleslaw in advance, up to two days!
Need some more inspiration for appetizers? Check out my appetizers recipe page!
what goes with pulled pork sliders?
For the sliders, I like to make sure that I have any extra coleslaw and extra BBQ sauce around for people to add as they desire!
If you are hosting a party, these sliders are hearty and filling so they make for a great appetizer or even a main! For those who are looking for a good add-on appetizer for the spread, I recommend a dip with chips. This chorizo pumpkin chipotle queso or this chipotle chili cheese dip are favorites for us.
Want to pair these with a cocktail? Spiced apple cider moscow mules, watermelon vodka cocktails, apple cider margaritas, or margarita mules are always a solid option. If you need an easy big batch option, chile beer sangria is a fan favorite. This tart and tangy spiced rum punch is also an easy option with tons of citrus flavor.
If you are looking for a simple no bake treat, these edible cookie dough bites are always a favorite.
For those of you planning to serve this as a main, don’t forget the pulled pork side dishes to serve alongside!
how to store and reheat
Store. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat. I like to reheat my sliders in the oven at 350˚F for about 10 minutes until warmed through. This method is the best to make sure they aren’t two soggy when reheated.
Finally, if you make these bbq pulled pork sliders with apple coleslaw, please be sure to give this recipe a rating or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment. Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! Love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Apple Coleslaw
equipment
ingredients
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 green apple cored and thinly sliced
- 1 green onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 lb shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- 12 pack Hawaiian slider buns
- 3 cups homemade pulled pork or use store bought
- 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
- Coleslaw recipe above
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
instructions
- Preheat oven to 375˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice for the slaw. Add in apple, green onion, and slaw, tossing until the coleslaw is well-coated. Season with additional salt and pepper as desired. Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Slice buns in half and remove the tops. Place the bottom half of the buns on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add pulled pork and bbq sauce to a medium bowl. Stir to combine. Add pulled pork to the buns in an even layer. Add tops of the buns.
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and garlic powder. Brush the tops of the buns with the butter mixture.
- Cover sliders with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 5 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and cool slightly. Remove tops of the buns and top with coleslaw. Replace tops and serve.
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