A Texas-style delicious pulled pork that is made in the slow cooker and loaded with so much delicious flavor. With rolls, classic Texas toppings, and classic Texas thin BBQ sauce for the ultimate pulled pork. It makes the best dinner or appetizer and is perfect for easy entertaining.
Ok, folks, it doesn't get much easier than this delicious Texas-style pulled pork. Not only is it delicious and so easy to make, by adding the pulled pork to buns makes the perfect easy entertaining dish. It is also no fuss since the pulled pork is made in the slow cooker.
I love making this to go along with some pesto pasta or Caprese pasta salad when I am entertaining for a crowd in the Summer. You can also check out our pulled pork side dishes for more inspiration on sides to serve.
These Texas pulled pork sandwiches use sweet Hawaiian rolls but if Hawaiian roll sliders are not your thing then you could use regular mini hamburger buns too. I call the toppings for these pulled pork sliders, Texas toppings because they are topped with pickles and sliced onions which is always served with any Texas BBQ.
Ingredients you will need
The ingredients are very simple for this Texas pulled pork. It is just some seasonings along with the pork, toppings, sauce and buns that you will need. You can make the pulled pork on its own too!
Here is the full list:
Pulled Pork
- Pork butt.
- Pulled pork seasoning: Cumin, oregano, paprika, pepper and kosher salt.
- Water
- Hawaiian rolls or mini hamburger buns.
- White onion.
- Dill pickle slices.
Texas Thin BBQ sauce
Here in Texas, when you go eat BBQ you are given a side of thin pourable BBQ sauce. The consistency is somewhat like vinegar and it is tangy like vinegar as well.
Here is what you will need for this:
- Ketchup
- Apple cider vinegar
- White onion diced finely
- Worcestershire sauce
- Sugar
- Garlic
- Chili powder
- Vegetable oil
- Cayenne pepper
How to make
Making this pulled pork is so easy. Just grab a slow cooker, your toppings, and buns, and follow these steps below:
- Prepare: Place your pork roast in a slow cooker and add your seasonings and water.
- Cook: Set heat to low and cook for 4-6 hours or until tender.
- Shred the pork: Once the pork is fully cooked and fork tender, remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a sheet pan and shred it with two forks then place it back into its juices in the slow cooker.
- Warm: Set the slow cooker to warm to keep the pulled pork warm.
- Make the Texas pourable BBQ sauce: I like to make this when the pork is cooking. It is thinner than BBQ sauce you may be familiar with, almost the consistency of vinegar.
- Assemble: Add a heaping portion of pulled pork to slider buns and then add your toppings. Make sure to reserve some of that cooking liquid in case you want to drizzle some over your sandwich.
Faqs
To keep pulled pork sliders from getting mushy, the best idea is to use tongs to remove them from the slow cooker and shake off any excess liquid. I also like to set out the pulled pork in the slow cooker along with the toppings for people to assemble when they are ready to eat them. This ensures the pulled pork is not in contact with the bun for too long.
A potato bun like Hawaiian rolls is a nice sturdy bun for pulled pork. You can also use regular hamburger buns if you cannot find potato buns.
Re-heating and Storing
If you do end up with any extra pulled pork, it is so easy to store and reheat. Just store the pulled pork in a container with a lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the pulled pork in aluminum foil (sealed tight) and heat in a 325-degree oven for 15 minutes or until heated through.
Topping Ideas
I love the the delicious flavor of the pulled pork and the juices it cooks in but sometimes it is nice to have some additional toppings. Here are some ideas for condiments for pulled pork sliders:
- Make a brown sugar BBQ sauce for BBQ pulled pork sliders. Just add a little sauce to the top of the pork when serving.
- Poblano sauce or cilantro lime sauce make great creamy additions to these sliders.
- Gochujang mayo , Sriracha mayo or Italian basil mayo are also great creamy additions that would go so well with the pulled pork.
Variations
The toppings and buns for these Texas-style pulled pork sliders are easy to change up. These are the classic Texas toppings you get at any Texas BBQ joint so that is what I used.
You can use different toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes or pickled veggies to add extra flavor and crunch to your sliders.
If you like Hawaiian rolls, then make these Hawaiian roll sliders. If you prefer a less sweet roll, switch it up with mini hamburger buns. You can also make full-sized pulled pork sandwiches with hoagie rolls or regular hamburger buns if you prefer.
More like this
If you love this Texas-style pulled pork, you may also like these:
Texas Style Pulled Pork (Slow Cooker)
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
Pulled Pork in the slow cooker
- 1 pork butt 4-5 lbs no bone
- 1 tablespoon of cumin
- 2 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of oregano
- Water for your roast
Sliders
- 8 Hawaiian rolls or more if needed
- 1 White onion Thinly sliced
- Dill pickle slices
Texas thin BBQ sauce
- 1 ½ cups Tomato puree
- ½ cup Apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup White onion cubed
- 5 cloves garlic whole
- 1 lemon sliced in half
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup Sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 cups water for boiling
Instructions
Pulled Pork
- Place your pork roast in a slow cooker and add your seasonings on top.1 pork butt, 1 tablespoon of cumin, 2 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of oregano, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Now add enough water so that it just comes up a little on the sides of your roast (about a quarter of the way).Water for your roast
- Cover and cook for about 6 hours on low heat or until the roast is easy to shred with a fork.
- Once the pork is fork tender, remove it from the slow cooker and place on a sheet pan or cutting board and shred with two forks.
- Place the pulled pork back into its juices in the slow cooker.
- Set the slow cooker to warm to keep the pulled pork warm.
Texas thin BBQ sauce
- In a medium pot, add water, onion, garlic and lemon and bring to a boil.½ cup White onion, 5 cloves garlic, 4 cups water for boiling, 1 lemon
- Boil for about 15 minutes or until the liquid has reduced by half.
- Once the liquid has reduced, strain the ingredients and save the liquid and set aside.
- Combine all the other ingredients in a medium pot.1 ½ cups Tomato puree, ½ cup Apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup Sugar, ⅛ teaspoon Cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Now add the liquid you reserved a little at a time until it reaches a thin consistency like vinegar. Discard any unused liquid from the boil.
- Heat the BBQ sauce on medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- Allow to cool then cover and store the BBQ sauce in the fridge until ready to use.
To Assemble The Pulled Pork Sliders
- Slice open your Hawaiian rolls.8 Hawaiian rolls
- Place a heaping portion of pulled pork on to each bun and top with toppings.1 White onion, Dill pickle slices
- Drizzle with BBQ sauce.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition Values are estimates only.
See full nutrition disclaimer hereTried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!
Bryan says
These were tasty! We loved the crunch and texture from the toppings too!
Melissa says
So glad to hear that!