Bourbon Brown Sugar Pulled Pork Sliders in the Crockpot

Name: Crockpot Bourbon Brown Sugar Pulled Pork Sliders
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 1/2 lb boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat; 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed; 1/3 cup bourbon; 3/4 cup barbecue sauce; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tbsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 12 slider buns; 6 slices sharp white cheddar cheese, halved; 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

These slow-cooked bourbon brown sugar pulled pork sliders are the ultimate low-stress solution for feeding a crowd during busy holiday weeks. Pork shoulder braises in a sweet and savory pan sauce until melt-in-your-mouth tender, then gets piled high onto soft slider buns with gooey melted white cheddar. It is an effortless dinner option that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

Crockpot Bourbon Brown Sugar Pulled Pork Sliders, an easy crockpot dinner recipe

Prep: 15 minCook: 8 hrTotal: 8 hr 15 minServes: 6

Ingredients

3 1/2 lb boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup bourbon
3/4 cup barbecue sauce
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
12 slider buns
6 slices sharp white cheddar cheese, halved
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Place the trimmed pork shoulder in the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the dark brown sugar, bourbon, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the pork shoulder, turning the meat once to ensure it is thoroughly coated.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours (or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours) until the pork reaches a safe internal temperature of at least 145 F and is easily shreddable with two forks.
Transfer the pork to a cutting board and shred using two forks. Discard any excess fat.
Skim off any excess oil from the remaining cooking liquid in the crockpot, then return the shredded pork to the pot and toss to absorb the warm juices.
Slice slider buns horizontally and arrange the bottom halves on a baking sheet. Top each with a generous portion of warm pulled pork and a half-slice of white cheddar cheese.
Place top buns over the cheese, brush with melted butter, and bake at 375 F for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and buns are lightly toasted. Serve immediately.

Tips

For extra glossy pulled pork, let the shredded meat sit in the warm slow cooker juices for 10 minutes before assembling.
Pork shoulder can be shredded up to two days ahead and reheated gently in its cooking juices before party time.
If you prefer to skip alcohol, substitute equal parts apple juice or chicken broth for the bourbon.