In this scrumptious recipe for Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Sliders, lean pork tenderloin is covered in a delicious spice rub, slow cooked in a Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce, then shredded and served on Hawaiian rolls. It’s the perfect easy crock pot recipe for weeknight dinners or game day!

Hawaiian rolls filled with shredded dr pepper pork on a white plate.

In my world, there’s nothing better than simple slow cooker recipes. I’ve shared over 100 of them on the blog and I’m always testing out new slow cooker recipes to share!

This Dr Pepper Pulled Pork recipe originally appeared alongside these Slow Cooker Chipotle Honey Pulled Pork Tacos in a blog post back in 2013, but with the popularity of both recipes, I decided they each deserved their own posts!

These Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Sliders are easy to prep in the morning, let them slow cook all day, then eat them for an easy dinner option during the week. You can also prepare them on the weekend for an awesome game day snack.

The meat is tender, juicy and the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, salty and totally delicious!

In this tasty slider recipe, pork tenderloin is covered in a delicious spice rub, slow cooked in a Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce, shredded & served on Hawaiian rolls.

Ingredients

  • Onion – for this recipe I used a sweet vidalia onion, which is what I would recommend. But a yellow or white onion can also be used in place of the sweet onion.
  • Brown sugar
  • Salt
  • Paprika – I recommend a traditional paprika for this recipe. Sweet or smoked paprika will give the dish a different flavor.
  • Garlic powder
  • Ground cumin
  • Dried oregano
  • Cayenne pepper – feel free to adjust the amount of cayenne used in this recipe for your spice preference. Use more for a spicier pork or less for a sweeter pork.
  • Black pepper
  • Dried thyme
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Pork tenderloin – a pork tenderloin is much leaner than a pork shoulder and works great in this recipe, but if you prefer a more traditional pulled pork, you can also use a 2-3 pound boneless pork shoulder, or pork butt, to make this dish.
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Dr Pepper
  • Tomato paste
  • Hawaiian rolls – or slider buns, for serving the sliders.

Step by step instructions

Start the base. Place the thinly sliced onion into the bottom of a slow cooker.

Make the seasoning. In a small bowl combine the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, thyme, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt.

Coat the pork. Rub the spice mixture over the pork loin. Place in the slow cooker on top of the sliced onions.

Two pork loins coated in a dry rub on top of onions in a slow cooker.

Mix the sauce. In a small bowl, stir the apple cider vinegar, Dr Pepper and tomato paste together. Pour over the pork.

Two pork tenderloins in a slow cooker covered with sauce.

Cook. Set the Crock Pot to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.

Shred the meat. Using two forks, pull the pork apart inside the slow cooker.

In this tasty slider recipe, pork tenderloin is covered in a delicious spice rub, slow cooked in a Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce, shredded & served on Hawaiian rolls.

Build the sandwiches. Toast the Hawaiian rolls, if you would like, before serving. Use tongs to remove the pork from the liquid in the slow cooker and place the Dr Pepper Pulled Pork on the Hawaiian rolls. Serve immediately.

Mini pulled pork Hawaiian roll sandwiches on a white plate with a toothpick in each one.

Pro tips

  • Any carbonated beverage, or dark soda, can be used as a substitute for the Dr Pepper. Coca-cola, root beer, or even beer can be used in place of the Dr Pepper, however, it will change the flavor of the sauce.
  • The pulled pork can also be served on buns as full-sized sandwiches. You can even add traditional coleslaw or kale apple slaw, to make deliciously sweet pulled pork sandwiches, with a nice crunch! You can also stuff the pork into baked potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, or turn it into a pulled pork grilled cheese with your favorite sliced bread and cheese!
  • Any leftover pulled pork can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 5-7 days. Reheat the pork in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat for 8-10 minutes.
  • You can freeze the pulled pork for up to 3 months. Make sure the pulled pork has cooled completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container, like a plastic zipper bag, glass or plastic container. Make sure to leave 1 inch of space for the mixture to expand in the freezer.
Hawaiian roll pulled pork sandwiches on a white plate.

What to serve with them

Serve these sliders at a party, or for an easy meal anytime, either way, they’re sure to be a hit! Pair these tasty sandwiches with any of the following side dishes.

Hawaiian roll pulled pork sandwiches on a white plate with a toothpick in each one.

More pork tenderloin recipes to try

If you’re looking for more recipes using lean pork tenderloin, check out these 5 favorites!

You can also use my popular pork chop marinade to marinate and either grill, or roast a delicious pork tenderloin!

In this tasty slider recipe, pork tenderloin is covered in a delicious spice rub, slow cooked in a Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce, shredded & served on Hawaiian rolls.
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Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Sliders

In this scrumptious recipe for Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Sliders, lean pork tenderloin is covered in a delicious spice rub, slow cooked in a Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce, then shredded & served on Hawaiian rolls.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the thinly sliced onion into the bottom of a slow cooker.
  • In a small bowl combine the next 10 ingredients.
  • Rub the spice mixture on the pork, place in the slow cooker on top of the sliced onions.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the apple cider vinegar, Dr Pepper and tomato paste together, pour over the pork.
  • Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
  • Using two forks, pull the pork apart inside the slow cooker.
  • Toast the Hawaiian rolls, if you would like, before serving.
  • Use tongs to place the Dr Pepper Pulled Pork on the Hawaiian rolls.

Video

Nutrition Facts

Calories 185kcal (9%)Carbohydrates 24g (8%)Protein 13g (26%)Fat 4g (6%)Saturated Fat 2g (10%)Cholesterol 41mg (14%)Sodium 463mg (19%)Potassium 306mg (9%)Fiber 1g (4%)Sugar 12g (13%)Vitamin A 370mg (7%)Vitamin C 3mg (4%)Calcium 17mg (2%)Iron 1mg (6%)
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