Flavorful Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders
Juicy, tender pulled pork infused with sweet and tangy Hawaiian flavors, slow-cooked to perfection and served on soft Hawaiian rolls. Perfect for parties and casual get-togethers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-9 hours (slow cooker low) or 4-5 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes to 9 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker low) or 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker high)
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–5 pounds pork shoulder (well-marbled)
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (optional)
- 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls (slider buns)
- Optional toppings: coleslaw, sliced jalapeños, fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder, leaving some for moisture.
- In a mixing bowl, combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, apple cider vinegar, and tomato paste. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker and pour the sauce mixture over it, turning to coat evenly. Add pineapple chunks on top if using.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until pork is fork-tender.
- Remove pork and shred using two forks, discarding large fatty pieces.
- (Optional) Transfer cooking liquid to a saucepan and simmer on medium heat until reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
- Return shredded pork to the slow cooker with the reduced sauce and toss to coat.
- Toast Hawaiian sweet rolls lightly in a skillet or oven.
- Pile pulled pork onto buns and add desired toppings such as coleslaw, jalapeños, or cilantro.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
Use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free option. Fresh ginger is preferred but ground ginger can substitute. Toast buns lightly to prevent sogginess. Reduce sauce if too watery. For faster cooking, use an Instant Pot on ‘Pork’ or ‘Meat’ setting for 60 minutes with natural pressure release.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 300350
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 20
Keywords: pulled pork, Hawaiian, slow cooker, sliders, party food, sweet and savory, pineapple, easy recipe