Home » Pork Recipes » Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork Sliders

Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork Sliders

Slow Cooker Carolina Style Pulled Pork Sliders made with fork tender pulled pork in a tangy broth with with rich spices. Perfectly paired with sweet and crisp coleslaw and soft slider buns.

Within this post you’ll learn how to make easy Carolina Style Pulled Pork in a slow cooker, as well as what makes it Carolina style. You’ll also learn how to make a simple but flavorful homemade coleslaw to create perfect pulled pork sliders.

Slow Cooker Carolina Style Pulled Pork Sliders - Plating Pixels

Well hello there y’all. You’ll have to forgive me, but my knowledge of Southern living ends there. What I do know is these Carolina Style Pulled Pork Sliders are dang good. I’d love to visit the South, and it’s on my wish list of travel locations. Until then, you and I can enjoy this regional inspired dish from our home base.

One of the easiest, and most fail-proof ways, to cook pulled pork is in a slow cooker. It’s also common to roast or use a smoker, but I like the set and forget method of a slow cooker. You can easily make recipes such as these Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Carnitas Bowls.

Carolina Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork - www.platingpixels.comYou can throw all the ingredients together in the morning, set to low, and leave for work. Just try to stay productive. I know the thought of coming home ready-made pulled pork can be distracting. Or if you’re hosting a Summer pool party, do what I did and start it at 6 am (then go back to bed) so it will be just cooked and ready in the early afternoon. Is it weird that I enjoyed waking up to the vibrant tangy smell?

Carolina Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork - www.platingpixels.comI finally got a slow cooker. To fuel my new-found obsession of slow cooker recipes I made this Carolina Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork; then added homemade coleslaw and sweet buns to make sliders. This is the easiest and most flavorful pulled pork I’ve been able to create. If you have a favorite method or recipe I’d love to hear about it. If you’re wondering what exactly is Carolina Style Pulled Pork, then read on.

Slow Cooker Carolina Style Pulled Pork Sliders - Plating Pixels

What is Carolina Style Pulled Pork?

There are various ways of making Carolina Style Pulled Pork. North and South have their own styles, then there are regional differences within those. Either the whole hog or just the darker pork shoulder can be used. It’s often rubbed with spices; sometimes just simply cayenne pepper, or a mixture of spices; and vinegar is always added to create a tangy flavor.

The sauce I made for this recipe is based on the “Carolina Gold” sauce of South Carolina (source Wikipedia). Mine consists of brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, brown mustard, and other spices. I also used a spice mixture to rub into the roast as well. What’s all this mean? Lots of flavor; simple as that.

Slow Cooker Carolina Style Pulled Pork Sliders - Plating Pixels
Slow Cooker Carolina Style Pulled Pork Sliders

Products used in this recipe:

Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set, Blue/Green/Yellow
Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker, 6-Quart


Recipe at-a-glance:

Flavor profiles: Meaty, savory, slightly sweet and delightfully tangy.
Texture: Tender, moist, and pull-apart flaky pork; mixed with crisp coleslaw and soft, fluffy buns.
Dietary Options/Substitutions: Gluten Free: Make sure your Worcestershire sauce and mustard is GF. Substitute GF buns.

Leave a comment below and star rating if you made this recipe or want to share your thoughts.

 

Are you following me on Pinterest, InstagramFacebook, and Twitter? Also, sign up for our newsletter to get all our recipes and cooking tips.

Slow Cooker Carolina Style Pulled Pork Sliders - Plating Pixels
Print
5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork Sliders

Easy Carolina Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Tender flaky pulled pork and coleslaw on a sweet bun. Perfect pulled pork sliders.
Course Slow Cooker
Cuisine American
Keyword carolina pork sliders, north carolina pulled pork, pulled pork slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Calories 205kcal
Servings 12 + sliders
Author: Matt Ivan
Did you know? Servings and ingredient amounts can be adjusted on all my recipes. Click the green number above to change.

Ingredients

  • 2-3 pounds pork shoulder butt roast
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar, separated
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown mustard
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 2 cups homemade coleslaw, or prepared store-bought
  • 10-12 small Hawaiian sweet slider buns

Instructions

  • Cook Carolina style pulled pork in slow cooker (view my recipe here for instructions).
  • If using a store-bought mix, make coleslaw according to package directions.
  • Fill each bun with the desired amount of pulled pork and coleslaw. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork Sliders
Amount Per Serving
Calories 205 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 53mg18%
Sodium 379mg16%
Potassium 374mg11%
Carbohydrates 18g6%
Fiber 0g0%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 17g34%
Vitamin A 420IU8%
Vitamin C 5.7mg7%
Calcium 30mg3%
Iron 1.5mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Like this recipe?Visit @platingpixels on Pinterest to discover more. Pin it with button below to save recipe for later.
Don't forget to leave a comment below and rate this recipe if you like it →
Entrees and Dinner Recipes | Gas Grilled Recipes | Pork Recipes | Recipes | Slow Cooker Recipes

Similar Posts

32 Comments

  1. I just gotta say that it’s a mite dangerous to write much about Carolina Pulled Pork if you haven’t experienced the real deal where it’s routinely made best, firstly, Eastern North Carolina, or, secondly, Western North Carolina, or (a distant) thirdly, South Carolina. 😉 Come on down!

    1. Good point Neal. I have no stance besides all pulled pork is great 😉 I happened to go to Charleston last year for a fish cook-off not long after I write that post. Funny how things work. Loved it out there!

  2. Pulling out my slow cooker! Luv pork roast and its always a treat to make sliders – they’re so versatile (both the pork roast and sliders!). I can smell it already – delicious!

  3. I usually am not a premade guy. But I kind of look at deli coleslaw more as a condiment than a side dish. I kind of hate eating coleslaw on it’s own but it kicks things up a notch big time in various dishes. I dig this recipe!

    1. I agree Adam! I prefer to make my own coleslaw dressing as well. I also listed the deli one to make it easier. Hope you saw my homemade sriracha honey one on instructions as well. Thanks!

    1. Ooh I bet you’ve grown up on some amazing food Chrisy! It’s pretty amazing on Hawaiian rolls. They’re slightly softer then regular buns too, so you get the texture of the meat more.

  4. My brother introduced my kids to hawaiian rolls and now the are totally obsessed with them, so I’m going to have to make these sandwiches soon!

    1. Unfortunately I discovered them too and am hooked as well. There’s something fun about small, slightly sweet, buns for burgers and sandwiches. Thanks Sara!

    1. I agree Cynthia! I don’t always remake recipes once I finish and post them (I’m always working on new ones!) But I’ve made this since and am a bit hooked.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating