Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe
Pulled Pork Sliders are an easy way to turn tender barbecue pork into warm, cheesy sandwiches everyone can grab and enjoy. Sweet Hawaiian rolls hold plenty of saucy pork and melted cheese, with a seasoned, buttery topping that bakes until golden. Ready in about 30 minutes, they’re perfect for game day, parties, or an easy family dinner.
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Best Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe You’ll Ever Make
I mix the pulled pork with barbecue sauce before adding it to the rolls, so you get plenty of sauce throughout instead of only on top. A thin layer on the bread adds even more flavor without making the sliders overly messy.
The seasoned butter on top is what really finishes these sliders. Garlic, onion, Dijon, and smoked paprika give the sweet rolls a savory finish while the cheese melts around the warm pork.
If sliders and easy sandwiches are always popular at your house, try my Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes for another family-friendly dinner. Tex-Mex Sliders bring plenty of Southwestern flavor, while my Cheeseburger Sliders turn a classic burger into an easy shareable meal.
Ingredients
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact measurements.
- Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: Keep all 12 rolls connected so you can assemble the sliders as one large sandwich before cutting them apart.
- Pulled Pork: Use cooked BBQ or plain pulled pork. Warm it first so the sliders heat evenly in the short baking time.
- Barbecue Sauce: Choose a barbecue sauce you already enjoy because its flavor comes through in every bite.
- Provolone or Mozzarella Cheese: Either cheese melts well without competing with the barbecue flavor.
- Butter: Melted butter helps the tops of the rolls turn golden while adding a rich finish.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic adds savory flavor to the butter without leaving pieces that could burn.
- Onion Powder: This adds another layer of seasoning to balance the sweetness of the Hawaiian rolls.
- Dijon Mustard: Optional, but I like the tang it adds to the buttery topping.
- Smoked Paprika: A little smoked paprika works especially well with barbecue pork.
- Fresh Parsley: Optional, but it adds fresh color before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
- Change the Cheese: Try cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or smoked Gouda instead of provolone.
- Add Pickles: Layer sliced dill pickles over the pork before adding the cheese for a tangy bite.
- Make Them Spicy: Add sliced jalapeños or use a spicy barbecue sauce.
- Add Coleslaw: Top individual sliders with coleslaw after baking for extra crunch.
- Use Different Rolls: Soft dinner rolls or brioche slider buns can replace the Hawaiian rolls.
- Add Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds crunch and a sharper flavor.
How to Make Pulled Pork Sliders
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
STEP 2: Leave the Hawaiian rolls connected. Slice the entire package horizontally to create one top and one bottom layer.
STEP 3: Place both halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
STEP 4: Spread a thin layer of barbecue sauce over the cut sides of the rolls.
STEP 5: Combine the remaining barbecue sauce with the warm pulled pork.
STEP 6: Spread the pulled pork evenly over the bottom half of the rolls.
STEP 7: Arrange the provolone or mozzarella over the pork, making sure each slider gets some cheese.
STEP 8: Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese.
STEP 9: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika.
STEP 10: Brush the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the Hawaiian rolls.
STEP 11: Loosely cover the sliders with foil and bake for 10 minutes.
STEP 12: Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese melts and the tops turn golden.
STEP 13: Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired.
STEP 14: Slice between the rolls to separate them into 12 sliders and serve warm.
Tips for Making Pulled Pork BBQ Sliders
- Warm the Pork First: Starting with warm pulled pork helps the sliders heat through without overbaking the rolls.
- Keep the Rolls Connected: Assembling everything at once is faster and helps keep the filling evenly distributed.
- Spread the Pork Evenly: Push the filling all the way toward the edges so the outside sliders aren’t short on pork.
- Cover Them First: Foil gives the cheese time to melt before the tops of the rolls get too dark.
- Watch the Final Five Minutes: Hawaiian rolls brown quickly once uncovered, so keep an eye on them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Barbecue Pulled Pork Sliders
- Using Cold Pulled Pork: Cold filling may not heat through before the rolls begin getting too brown.
- Adding Too Much Barbecue Sauce: Too much sauce can soak into the bread and make the bottoms soggy.
- Skipping the Foil: The roll tops can brown before the cheese has enough time to melt.
- Overfilling the Sliders: A thick pile of pork makes the sliders difficult to cut and eat.
- Separating the Rolls First: Keeping them connected makes assembly faster and helps hold everything together during baking.
How to Store
- Refrigerator: Store leftover pulled pork sliders in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the assembled baked sliders for up to 2 months. Wrap them well before placing them in a freezer-safe container.
- Reheating: Cover leftover sliders loosely with foil and warm them in a 325°F oven until heated through.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the pork and cheese between the rolls several hours ahead. Refrigerate covered, then add the butter topping shortly before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these pulled pork sliders with In-N-Out Animal Style Fries for a hearty game-day spread. My Jalapeño Popper Potato Salad adds a creamy side with a little heat. Finish everything with Cinnamon Roll Cookies for an easy handheld dessert.
Pulled Pork Sliders FAQs
Provolone and mozzarella both melt nicely without overpowering the barbecue pork. Cheddar, pepper jack, Monterey Jack, and smoked Gouda are also good choices.
Yes. Assemble the rolls with the pork and cheese several hours ahead and refrigerate them covered. Add the seasoned butter before baking.
Avoid using too much barbecue sauce, especially directly on the bread. The pork should be saucy but not swimming in liquid.
Absolutely. These sliders are a great way to use leftover pulled pork. Warm the pork before assembling so everything heats evenly.
Plan on about two or three sliders per adult when they’re the main meal. One or two per person usually works when serving them alongside several party foods.
More Pork Recipes to Try
- Slow Cooker Carnitas cook until tender and flavorful, making them perfect for tacos, bowls, and other easy meals.
- Air Fryer BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches are another easy way to turn tender pulled pork into a quick sandwich dinner.
- Instant Pot BBQ Pork Tenderloin gives you plenty of barbecue flavor with the convenience of pressure cooking.
- Apple Pork Chops pair savory pork with apples for an easy dinner with a sweet-and-savory combination.
- Boneless Pork Chops with Creamy Chive Pan Sauce turn simple pork chops into a hearty dinner with a rich homemade sauce.
Final Thoughts
Sliders are especially handy when you need something that works just as well for dinner as it does for a party spread. This recipe is also a great way to give leftover pulled pork a completely different second meal.
Try these pulled pork sliders for your next game day, party, or family dinner. Let me know what you served with them, and save the recipe for the next time you have pulled pork to use!
Pulled Pork Sliders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls 1 package, connected
- 3 cups cooked pulled pork warmed
- 1 cup barbecue sauce divided, plus additional as needed
- 6 slices provolone or mozzarella cheese halved
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard optional
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Without separating the individual Hawaiian rolls, use a serrated knife to slice the entire package horizontally through the middle, creating one large top half and one large bottom half.
- Place both halves on the prepared baking sheet with the cut sides facing up.
- Spread a thin layer of barbecue sauce over the cut sides of the rolls.
- In a bowl, combine the warm pulled pork with the remaining barbecue sauce. Stir until the pork is evenly coated.
- Spread the barbecue pulled pork evenly over the bottom half of the rolls.
- Arrange the halved slices of provolone or mozzarella cheese over the pulled pork, making sure each slider will have cheese.
- Place the top half of the Hawaiian rolls over the cheese.
- Make the butter topping. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, if using, and smoked paprika.
- Brush the seasoned butter mixture evenly over the tops of the rolls.
- Loosely cover the sliders with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Carefully remove the foil and continue baking for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops of the rolls are lightly golden.
- Remove the sliders from the oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
- Cut along the seams of the rolls to separate them into 12 individual sliders.
- Serve warm with additional barbecue sauce, if desired.
Notes
- Use a Serrated Knife: A long serrated knife slices through the connected Hawaiian rolls without squashing them.
- Drain Very Saucy Pork: If your leftover pork has lots of thin cooking liquid, drain some before adding barbecue sauce.
- Cut After a Brief Rest: Let the baked sliders sit for 2 to 3 minutes before slicing so the melted cheese can settle slightly.
- Brush the Edges Too: Make sure the seasoned butter reaches the outside rolls so every slider gets the same flavorful topping.
- Use a Metal Spatula for Serving: A thin spatula slides easily beneath the warm sliders without pulling the bottoms apart.
Nutrition Information
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