Pulled Pork Sliders

This flavour-packed pulled pork recipe features meat that marinates overnight in a delicious BBQ rub, then cooks in an Instant Pot with ginger beer until it’s fork-tender and easily pulled apart. The cooking liquid is reduced into a delicious, soaking sauce.

Ingredients

BBQ Pork Rub:
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 ½ tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp salt
½ – 1 tsp white or black pepper

Pulled Pork:
2 kg deboned pork shoulder trimmed and cut into 4 large pieces
2 ½ cups ginger beer
2 bay leaves optional
1 chicken stock cube or 1 Tbsp chicken bouillon powder
Neutral oil for frying

For the Sliders as needed:
Slider rolls
Butter
Grated mozzarella cheese
Sliced sweet and sour pickles
Coleslaw with chipotle
Your favourite BBQ sauce

Instructions

Prepare the Rub:
Combine all the ingredients for the BBQ rub and mix until well combined.
Sprinkle the rub on the pork, massaging it into the meat.
Place the pork in one layer in a dish, cover, and refrigerate overnight.

Brown the Pork:
Set the Instant Pot to Sauté.
Add a splash of neutral oil and brown the pork in batches on all sides.
Set the browned pork aside.

Cook in the Instant Pot:
Return the pork (with any juices) to the pot.
Add bay leaves and crumble over the stock cube.
Pour over the ginger beer, ensuring most of the meat is submerged.
Close the lid and cook on HIGH for 1 hour.

Reduce the Sauce:
Manually release the pressure and remove the pork onto a tray.
Set the Instant Pot back to Sauté and boil the remaining liquid for about 20 minutes until it reduces to roughly 2 cups.

Shred and Combine:
Shred the pork with two forks, keeping some texture.
Pour the reduced sauce over the meat, mix well, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Assemble the Sliders:
Slice the slider rolls in half and butter both sides.
Toast the rolls in an Air Fryer at 350°F (180°C) until lightly browned.
Remove the tops, then top the bottoms with the pulled pork and grated mozzarella.
Return to the Air Fryer or oven until the cheese melts.
Top with sliced pickles and a dollop of coleslaw.
Drizzle with your favourite BBQ or hot sauce before serving.