National BBQ Month Recipe: Ultimate Backyard BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

May is National BBQ Month, which means it’s officially time to fire up the smoker, gather friends and family, and enjoy everything we love about barbecue. Few recipes say “backyard BBQ season” like tender pulled pork piled high on soft slider buns with crunchy slaw and your favorite BBQ sauce.

This easy recipe delivers juicy pork, bold seasoning, and classic barbecue flavor that everyone will love.

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 6–8 Hours
Servings: 10–12

Ingredients

For the Pork:

• 1 (5–7 lb) pork shoulder (Boston butt)
• 3–4 tablespoons BBQ rub or seasoning
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard (binder)
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

For the Slaw:

• 3 cups shredded cabbage mix
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving:

• Slider buns
• BBQ sauce
• Pickles (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Pork

Pat the pork shoulder dry. Coat lightly with yellow mustard, then apply a generous layer of your favorite BBQ rub over all sides.

Step 2: Fire Up the Smoker

Preheat your smoker to 250°F. Add your preferred smoking wood such as hickory, apple, or cherry.

Step 3: Smoke Low and Slow

Place the pork directly onto the smoker grates. Smoke for approximately 4–5 hours until the internal temperature reaches around 165°F.

Step 4: Wrap and Finish

Place the pork into a foil pan or wrap tightly in foil with apple juice and apple cider vinegar. Continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 200–205°F and the pork is tender.

Step 5: Rest and Shred

Allow the pork to rest for 30–45 minutes. Shred with forks or meat claws and mix with collected juices.

Step 6: Make the Slaw

Combine cabbage, mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix well.

Step 7: Build the Sliders

Pile pulled pork onto slider buns, top with slaw, drizzle with BBQ sauce, and add pickles if desired.

BBQ Tips

• Don't rush the cook — low and slow creates tender pulled pork.
• Allow the meat to rest before shredding to retain moisture.
• Experiment with different BBQ rubs and sauces to create your own flavor profile.
• Leftover pulled pork makes incredible tacos, nachos, baked potatoes, and sandwiches.

Celebrate National BBQ Month

National BBQ Month is all about gathering around the grill and creating unforgettable meals. Whether you're cooking for family, neighbors, or an entire backyard crowd, recipes like these make barbecue season even better.

Ready to elevate your next cookout? Explore the largest selection of BBQ rubs, seasonings, sauces, and marinades at BBQRubs.com. Fire up the smoker and make this National BBQ Month one to remember.