• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

In the Kitch

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Mother's Day
  • Recipe Index
  • Guides
  • Tutorials
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Mother's Day
    • Recipe Index
    • Guides
    • Tutorials
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    In the Kitch » Recipes » Patriotic Recipes

    Updated: May 16, 2024 · Published: Jun 10, 2020 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    4th of July Pulled Pork Sliders

    Jump to Recipe
    Pulled pork slider with decorations and text overlay that says '4th of July pulled pork sliders'.
    Pulled pork sliders on tray with text overlay that says '4th of July pulled pork sliders'.

    Independence Day is right around the corner, which means it is almost time for backyard BBQs, firework shows, and hometown parades. If you are looking for a 4th of July appetizer that will knock it out of the park, check out these delicious, flavorful pulled pork sliders.

    Pulled pork sliders on parchment lined serving tray with 4th of July decorations.

    Pulled pork sliders have become a favored fair at restaurants and breweries across the country because they are mini, savory flavor bombs that don't leave you feeling completely stuffed.

    With only 15 minutes of prep time, this recipe aims to impress without keeping you stuck in the kitchen all day.

    The best part about 4th of July finger foods for a party is that there is something for all taste palettes. These pulled pork sliders pair well with other classic Americana like hot dogs, grilled pork tenderloin skewers and potato salad. I also have this red, white and blue charcuterie board that you can add to the appetizer table.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make These Sliders
    • Make Ahead Options
    • Recipe Tips
    • More Delicious Finger Foods to Consider
    • 📋Recipe

    Ingredients

    Pulled pork slider ingredients prepped and labeled.
    • boneless pork loin - The best pork cuts for pulled pork in terms of flavor are pork shoulder roast or butt. However, for a leaner option that is easier to shred, I use either boneless pork loin or pork tenderloin for this recipe. You can take your pick based on your personal preference.
    • beer - My first choice for beer in this sauce would be a pale ale (not to be confused with an IPA) but a porter also works great with pulled pork. A porter is a malty, dark beer.
    • slider buns - These are basically mini hamburger buns.
    • lettuce - I like to use iceberg but you can use romaine, arugula, spring mix etc.
    • mayo, apple cider vinegar, cumin and sugar - These ingredients are for the delicious slider sauce that complements the pulled pork flavors really well.
    • red onions - The onions are going to be marinated in the lemon juice, making a delicious topping with an extra punch of flavor.
    • lemon juice - Freshly squeezed, to marinate the onions.

    *Check recipe card for full ingredient amounts.

    Chef's Note: The slider sauce is amazing, but these sliders would also taste great with a homemade white BBQ sauce as an alternative.

    How to Make These Sliders

    Raw pork loin in slow cooker.

    Step 1. Add pork to slow cooker. Place the pork shoulder (or loin) in a slow cooker and season with some salt and pepper.

    Pork loin in slow cooker with BBQ beer sauce.

    Step 2. Make the pork sauce. Combine the BBQ sauce, beer, ketchup and brown sugar in a bowl (Image 1). Pour it over the pork in the slow cooker (Image 2).

    Pork loin with BBQ beer sauce in slow cooker with lid.

    Step 3. Cook. Cover with the lid and cook for 4 to 6 hours on high, until tender.

    Pork loin getting shredded and smothered with BBQ beer sauce in slow cooker.

    Step 4. Shred. Remove the pork from the slow cooker (Image 1) and shred it using two forks on a cutting board (Image 2). Return to slow cooker with all of the cooking juices (Image 3) and mix well (Image 4).

    Slider sauce in jar prep pictures.

    Step 5. Make the slider sauce. Meanwhile, mix all slider sauce ingredients together in a bowl. I like to funnel it into a squeeze bottle for serving. Reserve.

    Red onion slices marinated in lemon juice in jar.

    Step 6. Marinate the onions. Just before serving: place the onion slices in a small bowl with the lemon juice for 20 minutes.

    Pulled pork sliders for 4th of July getting assembled.

    Step 7. Assemble the sliders. Drain the pulled pork from the cooking liquid (but save the liquid for later). Layer the slider buns with the pulled pork, lettuce, onions and slider sauce.

    Pulled pork sliders on serving tray.

    Step 8. Serve. Serve the sliders and enjoy!

    Make Ahead Options

    Sliders are a welcome addition to any BBQ or picnic. If you are headed to a BBQ or party where the grill and kitchen will be busy, this dish is perfect for making ahead.

    • Simply keep the meat warm in the slow cooker, and take along the buns, sauce and toppings separately until they are ready to be served.
    • These sliders also reheat well, so the meat can be prepared a day or two in advance, but no longer than 3 to 4 days total.
    • The slider sauce can be made ahead of time and stored, covered in the fridge, for up to two weeks.

    Recipe Tips

    Pulled pork shoulder sauce pouring from spoon into jar.

    Save the sauce. When you drain the liquid from the pulled pork, be sure to save it. You can add back as much or as little as you like to the shredded pork, but keep in mind that the more liquidy it is, the more soggy the buns will be. Toasting the buns helps too.

    If you're reheating the pulled pork later, you are going to want to use the reserved sauce to remoisten it.

    Pulled pork sliders with 4th of July decorations.

    Add some patriotic decor. Be sure to add some red, white and blue decorations to your finished sliders and/or on the appetizer table.

    If you can find some festive, red or blue plates and napkins, those would be great too!

    Pulled pork sliders on serving tray with 4th of July decor.

    More Delicious Finger Foods to Consider

    • Grilled bacon-wrapped pickles on toothpicks on white dish.
      Grilled Bacon Wrapped Pickles
    • Grilled jalapeño poppers on black serving board.
      How to Grill Jalapeño Poppers
    • Melon prosciutto skewers with toothpicks.
      Melon Prosciutto Skewers (Summer Appetizer)
    • Watermelon sticks on black stone.
      How to Cut a Watermelon (Cubes, Sticks & Triangles)

    If you tried this 🎇 4th of July Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    4th of July pulled pork sliders on parchment lined serving tray.

    4th of July Pulled Pork Sliders

    Joss Dyckson
    If you want 4th of July appetizers that will knock it out of the park, check out these pulled pork sliders made in a slow cooker. They are so delicious and flavorful--a definite, patriotic crowd favorite!
    5 from 2 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 sliders
    Calories 268 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the Pulled Pork

    • 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast - trimmed of fat--you can also use boneless pork loin or pork tenderloin
    • 1 cup BBQ sauce
    • ½ cup beer - a pale ale beer or porter work well
    • ½ cup ketchup
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • salt and pepper

    For the Slider Sauce

    • 2 cups mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon sugar

    To Serve

    • 1 red onion - sliced
    • 1 lemon - squeezed
    • iceberg lettuce
    • 16 slider buns - mini hamburger buns

    Instructions
     

    • Place the pork shoulder (or loin if using) in a slow cooker and season with some salt and pepper.
    • Combine the BBQ sauce, beer, ketchup and brown sugar in a bowl and pour it over the pork in the slow cooker. Cover and cook for 4 to 6 hours on high, until tender.
    • Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks on a cutting board. Return to slow cooker with all of the cooking juices and mix well.
    • Meanwhile, mix all slider sauce ingredients together in a bowl. I like to funnel it into a squeeze bottle for serving. Reserve.
    • Just before serving: marinate the onion slices with the lemon juice in a small bowl for 20 minutes.
    • Drain the pulled pork from the cooking liquid (but save it to remoisten the leftovers). Serve the pulled pork on slider buns with the lettuce, slider sauce and onions.

    Equipment

    • Slow cooker

    Notes

    • You can use boneless pork loin or pork tenderloin for a leaner option but pork shoulder and butt tends to have the best flavor.
    • The pulled pork for these sliders reheats well, so the meat can be prepared a day or two in advance, but no longer than 3 to 4 days total.
    • The slider sauce can be stored covered in the fridge for up to two weeks.
    • Be sure to add some red, white and blue decorations to your finished sliders and/or on the appetizer table. If you can find some festive, red or blue plates and napkins, those would be great too!
    • When you drain the liquid from the pulled pork, be sure to save it. You can add back as much or as little as you like to the shredded pork, but keep in mind that the more liquidy it is, the more soggy the buns will be. Toasting the buns helps too.
    • If you're reheating the pulled pork later, you are going to want to use the reserved sauce to remoisten it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 268kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 22gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 295mgPotassium: 392mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 79IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 2mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

    Want to see our recipes in action?Subscribe to our channel on Youtube!

    More Patriotic Recipes

    • Baked bison sliders in white casserole dish.
      Baked Bison Sliders
    • Strawberry parfait with whipped cream and mint in glass.
      Strawberry Parfait
    • 4th of July themed charcuterie board on red plate with red, white and blue stars.
      4th of July Charcuterie Board
    • Strawberry mojito mocktail pouring out of pitcher into glass with ice cubes.
      Strawberry Mojito Mocktail
    155 shares
    • Share83
    • Tweet
    • Email
    • Bluesky
    • Reddit

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Monica says

      June 13, 2020 at 7:30 am

      Definitely a 5 star recipe.
      Very tasty!
      I’ll be making this over and over again.

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        June 13, 2020 at 9:16 am

        Thanks Monica. 🙂 Glad you liked them!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Joss D author image.

    Hi, I'm Joss!

    I am the creator and editor of In the Kitch. I am inviting you on this food journey with me to learn, grow and bring out that inner chef in you. I hope to inspire you to get creative in your own kitchen!

    More about me →

    Mother's Day Recipes

    • Spring white wine sangria in wine glass.
      Spring White Wine Sangria

    • Strawberry shortcake ice cream in martini glasses with syrup pouring out of spoon.
      Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

    • Lemon basil pasta with chicken and Parmesan cheese on plate.
      Lemon Basil Pasta (with Chicken)

    • Roasted white asparagus with capers and fresh dill.
      Roasted White Asparagus

    • Strawberry liqueur in jar with fresh strawberries on the side.
      Strawberry Liqueur

    • Iced lemon mousse in small jars.
      Iced Lemon Mousse

    Popular

    • Peanut butter soup in a speckled bowl.
      Peanut Butter Soup

    • Cake pop frosting in bowl with spatula.
      Cake Pop Frosting & Coating

    • Cake mix cake pops in small pails with sprinkles on top.
      How to Make Cake Pops with Cake Mix

    • Hamburger scrambled eggs in cast iron pan.
      Hamburger Scrambled Eggs

    • Electric skillet fried chicken in a dish.
      Electric Skillet Fried Chicken

    • Electric skillet pot roast with vegetables on serving tray.
      Electric Skillet Pot Roast

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    In the Kitch

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Statement

    About

    • About
    • The Team

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 In the Kitch

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.