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Savory Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Sliders with Crispy Onions

Dr Pepper pulled pork sliders - featured image
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These savory sliders combine slow-cooked pork shoulder braised in Dr Pepper with crispy fried onions for a sweet, smoky, and crunchy bite perfect for casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
  • 1 can (12 oz) Dr Pepper soda (regular, not diet)
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced into rings
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Vegetable oil or canola oil for frying
  • 12 slider buns or small sandwich rolls, lightly toasted
  • Pickles (optional)
  • Barbecue sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork dry with paper towels. Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Rub the spice blend all over the pork shoulder, pressing it into the meat. (Approx. 10 minutes)
  2. Place the spiced pork shoulder in the slow cooker. Pour the entire can of Dr Pepper over the pork, then drizzle the apple cider vinegar on top. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the meat is fall-apart tender.
  3. While the pork cooks, separate the onion into thin rings. In a shallow bowl, mix flour, salt, and pepper. Toss the onion rings in the flour mixture until lightly coated.
  4. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat (around 350°F). Fry the onion rings in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels and set aside. (Approx. 20 minutes)
  5. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a plate or cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat finely, discarding large pieces of fat. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix with the cooking juices. (Approx. 10 minutes)
  6. Toast the slider buns lightly. Pile generous portions of pulled pork onto each bun, add crispy onions on top, and drizzle with barbecue sauce if desired. Add pickles for tangy contrast. Serve immediately. (Approx. 10 minutes)

Notes

If slow cooker juices are too thin, remove some and simmer to reduce and thicken before mixing back with pork. Toast buns to prevent sogginess. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free buns. Fry onions at steady medium-high heat to avoid burning or greasiness. Pulled pork can be made ahead and reheated gently; flavors improve after resting overnight.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, Dr Pepper, sliders, crispy onions, slow cooker, barbecue, easy recipe, summer recipe

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/savory-dr-pepper-pulled-pork-sliders-with-crispy-onions-easy-recipe/