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Smoky Chipotle Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe with Easy Apple Coleslaw

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Tender pulled pork with smoky chipotle seasoning paired with a fresh, crunchy apple coleslaw, served on soft slider buns. A quick and easy recipe perfect for gatherings and casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 to 3 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), well-marbled
  • 2 tablespoons chipotle chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 cups shredded green cabbage (about half a medium head)
  • 1 large crisp apple, thinly sliced or julienned (Fuji or Granny Smith recommended)
  • 1 small carrot, grated
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 12 slider buns or small brioche buns
  • Optional: pickled jalapeños or fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar to create the pork rub. (5 minutes)
  2. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork, covering every inch. (5 minutes)
  3. Optional: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the pork on all sides until a crust forms, about 3-4 minutes per side. (10 minutes)
  4. Transfer the pork to a slow cooker. Pour in chicken broth and apple cider vinegar around the meat. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until fork-tender. (3-8 hours depending on method)
  5. While pork cooks, combine shredded cabbage, sliced apple, and grated carrot in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Toss dressing with cabbage mixture until coated. Chill until serving. (15 minutes prep + chilling)
  6. Remove pork from slow cooker and let rest 5-10 minutes. Shred pork with two forks into bite-sized pieces. Skim excess fat from cooking liquid and stir shredded pork back into juices to keep moist. (10 minutes)
  7. Lightly toast slider buns in a hot skillet or oven. Assemble sliders by piling pulled pork and topping with apple coleslaw. Add pickled jalapeños or cilantro if desired. (5-10 minutes)
  8. Serve sliders warm and fresh. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Notes

Searing the pork before slow cooking adds depth of flavor but can be skipped if short on time. Use cooking liquid to moisten shredded pork if it seems dry. Thinly slice apples to keep slaw crisp. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. For dairy-free coleslaw, substitute mayonnaise with avocado mayo or vinaigrette.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, chipotle, sliders, apple coleslaw, smoky, barbecue, easy recipe, slow cooker, party food

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/smoky-chipotle-pulled-pork-sliders-recipe-with-easy-apple-coleslaw/