Sweet and tender slow cooked pulled pork served on slider buns with a delicious savory sauce with just a hint of rootbeer!
Another example of slow cooker deliciousness without a lot of work, Sweet Pulled Pork Sliders with Rootbeer Sauce is a recipe that has been in regular rotation at our house for years!
The slow cooker makes the pork fork tender while it takes on the sweetness of the rootbeer (without the taste). A thick, homemade sauce adds the perfect subtle hint of rootbeer back into the sliders, although it takes a while to figure it out exactly what it is if you don’t know it’s in there. So easy and so good!
Pulled Pork and Rootbeer?
Most people think that the title of the recipe means that the pork is going to taste like rootbeer but this is totally not the case. The pork takes on the sweetness of the rootbeer but there really isn’t any detectable rootbeer taste to the meat at all, just sweet tender pulled pork that is delicious on it’s own, right out of the slow cooker.
A crazy thing happens when you mix chili sauce with rootbeer and salt and then use heat to reduce it down. A sweet and delicious, thick, homemade bbq sauce with just the slightest hint of rootbeer is created and it is the perfect compliment to the pulled pork.
Slider buns are our favorite way to enjoy this recipe but sometimes we skip the buns and enjoy it without. I recommend keeping the sauce on the side or drizzling over the top just prior to serving for the best flavors!
I know it sounds strange but this combination of flavors is definitely worth trying. Maybe you’ll find out it’s one of your family’s favorites too!
How to make Sweet Pulled Pork Sliders with Rootbeer Sauce
We are a busy family. This is one of our tried and true recipes that we can throw into the slow cooker, get our stuff done, and then come home to a delicious, easy and pretty much a ready made dinner!
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Liberally sprinkle salt and pepper all over the roast then place into skillet and brown on all sides. (About 6-10 minutes)
Browning the roast in the skillet makes the pork more flavorful and seals the outer crust, giving it a better texture even after spending all day in the slow cooker. It doesn’t take that long and it is something that I would encourage you to do, although this step can be skipped if need be!
Place roast into slow cooker. Add 2 tsp salt, pepper, onion and one can (about 1 1/2 cups) root beer. Do not use diet rootbeer for this recipe.
Cover and cook for 4-5 hours (on high) or 7-8 hours (on low) until the pork is fork tender and ready to be shredded.
The best way to do this is to remove the roast from the slow cooker to a plate and simply use two forks and pull the meat apart.
About 30 minutes before serving heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour in remaining can of root beer, chili sauce and 1/4 tsp of salt. Whisk to combine. The chili sauce is typically found near the ketchup in the condiment aisle and it is not spicy.
Heat the mixture to boiling then reduce heat to medium. Cook 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce is glossy and reduced. The sauce can be kind of a pain in the butt to make but it after the sauce has reduced down and become concentrated, is a really great compliment to the meat.
Place pork on buns and spoon sauce over the top. We like to buy the little slider buns because they are small, but you can use whatever you like.
If you don’t have buns, you don’t actually need them – this is just as delicious on a plate. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Other Easy Dinner Ideas You May Like
Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs – does double duty as either a meal or as an appetizer!
Keto Eggroll Bowl – all the delicious flavors of an egg roll come together in this super easy one pan meal!
Crockpot Taco Chili – dump, stir and walk away – super easy with just the right amount of spice!
Weeknight Pineapple Shrimp and Rice Bake – easy and delicious family weeknight meal!
Spaghetti Pie – With Italian sausage and spinach hidden inside this is an unexpectedly good (and super easy!) weeknight creation that the entire family will love.
One Pan Sausage and Peppers – Baked Italian sausages on a bed of seasoned peppers and onions.
Creamy Chicken & Asparagus Skillet – Tender and juicy chicken thighs, crisp asparagus pieces and a flavorful cream sauce come together in just one skillet in about 30 minutes.
Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew – Bite sized chunks of beef, tender potatoes, and all of your favorite vegetables slow simmered in a delicious beef gravy.
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Sweet Pulled Pork Sliders with Rootbeer Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 boneless pork loin roast around 2 pounds
- 2 1/4 tsp salt divided
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cans of root beer NOT diet, about 3 cups, divided
- 1 bottle 12 oz chili sauce (located with ketchup in the grocery store)
- Slider buns
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Liberally sprinkle salt and pepper all over the roast then place into skillet and brown on all sides. (About 6-10 minutes)
- Place roast into slow cooker. Add 2 tsp salt, pepper, onion and one can (about 1 1/2 cups) root beer.
- Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until meat shreds easily with a fork.
- About 30 minutes before serving heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour in remaining can of root beer, chili sauce and 1/4 tsp of salt. Whisk to combine.
- Heat to boiling then reduce heat to medium. Cook 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until sauce is glossy and reduced.
- Remove pork from slow cooker, discarding liquid. Shred pork with two forks or smash with a potato masher.
- Place pork on buns and spoon sauce over the top. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
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