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Flavorful Smoky Chipotle Pulled Pork Sliders

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These smoky chipotle pulled pork sliders offer tender, juicy meat with a perfect balance of smoky heat and sweetness, ideal for cookouts and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (Boston butt), well-marbled
  • 2 tbsp chipotle powder
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (mild, smoky)
  • 12 small slider buns
  • Optional toppings: pickled red onions, cilantro leaves, coleslaw

Instructions

  1. Trim the pork shoulder by removing excess fat and silver skin; this takes about 10 minutes.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine chipotle powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper to make the dry rub.
  3. Pat the pork dry with paper towels and rub the spice blend all over the pork shoulder, pressing it in well. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to absorb.
  4. Pour apple cider vinegar into the bottom of the slow cooker to keep the pork moist and add tang.
  5. Place the rubbed pork shoulder into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours until very tender and easy to shred. Avoid lifting the lid frequently.
  6. While the pork cooks, blend chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with BBQ sauce in a small bowl. Adjust heat as desired.
  7. Transfer the cooked pork to a large bowl and shred using two forks, discarding large chunks of fat.
  8. Pour the chipotle BBQ sauce over the shredded pork and mix thoroughly to coat evenly.
  9. Warm the slider buns by wrapping them in foil and heating in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or toast lightly on a skillet.
  10. Assemble the sliders by piling the smoky chipotle pulled pork onto buns and adding optional toppings like pickled onions, cilantro, or coleslaw. Serve immediately.

Notes

If pork seems dry after cooking, stir in a splash of reserved cooking liquid to rehydrate. Shred while meat is hot for easier shredding. Toast buns before assembling for better texture. For gluten-free or low-carb diets, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, chipotle, sliders, BBQ, cookout, smoky, slow cooker, easy recipe

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/flavorful-smoky-chipotle-pulled-pork-sliders-easy-recipe-for-perfect-cookout-bites/