Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders (Best 4-Ingredient Recipe)
Tender, juicy pulled pork made with just 4 ingredients in a slow cooker. Perfect for game days, busy weekends, or any night you need dinner to happen without a fight.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours (low) or 5-6 hours (high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes to 10 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (pork butt)
- 12 oz can root beer (regular, not diet)
- 1 ½ cups barbecue sauce (e.g., Sweet Baby Ray’s), divided
- 12–16 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls recommended)
- 2 tbsp butter, melted (optional, for toasting buns)
- Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
- Optional toppings: coleslaw, pickles, extra barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Remove pork shoulder from packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat, leaving a thin layer. Place pork in slow cooker.
- Pour entire 12 oz can of root beer over the pork. Do not add barbecue sauce yet.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 5-6 hours, until pork is fork-tender and internal temperature reaches at least 200°F.
- Carefully remove pork from slow cooker and place on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat, discarding any large pieces of fat or bone.
- Discard cooking liquid from slow cooker.
- Return shredded pork to slow cooker. Add 1 cup barbecue sauce and stir well. Let cook on warm for 10-15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Split slider buns and place cut-side up on a baking sheet. Brush cut sides with melted butter. Toast for 3-5 minutes until golden.
- Assemble sliders: Place generous heap of pulled pork on bottom half of each bun. Add optional toppings. Top with other half of bun. Serve immediately.
Notes
Don’t rush the cook time – low and slow is key for tender meat. Resist opening the lid during cooking. Toasting the buns prevents sogginess. Let meat rest after shredding for best flavor. For Instant Pot: cook on high pressure for 90 minutes with natural release using 1 cup root beer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 580
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 22
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