Save to Pinterest Succulent pork belly, slow-cooked and glazed with a sweet and smoky bourbon sauce, served on soft slider buns with crisp slaw for the perfect bite-sized indulgence.
I first served these sliders at a family gathering and they were an instant hit everyone kept asking for the recipe.
Ingredients
- Pork Belly: 1.5 lbs (700 g) pork belly skin removed 1 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Bourbon Glaze: 1/2 cup (120 ml) bourbon 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 2 tbsp Dijon mustard 2 tbsp honey 1 clove garlic minced 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Slaw: 1 cup (70 g) finely shredded red cabbage 1 cup (70 g) finely shredded green cabbage 1 small carrot grated 2 tbsp mayonnaise 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar Salt & pepper to taste
- Assembly: 8 slider buns toasted 1 tbsp unsalted butter (for buns optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Step 2:
- Pat pork belly dry. Mix salt pepper smoked paprika and garlic powder rub evenly over pork belly.
- Step 3:
- Place pork belly on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast uncovered for 2 hours or until tender basting halfway with pan juices.
- Step 4:
- While pork cooks combine all glaze ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat reduce until syrupy (about 10 minutes). Set aside.
- Step 5:
- For the slaw mix both cabbages carrot mayonnaise and vinegar in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Chill until ready to use.
- Step 6:
- Remove pork belly from oven. Increase oven to 425°F (220°C). Brush pork generously with bourbon glaze. Return to oven for 1015 minutes until caramelized.
- Step 7:
- Rest pork belly for 10 minutes then slice into 8 pieces.
- Step 8:
- Toast slider buns lightly (butter if desired).
- Step 9:
- Assemble Place a slice of pork belly on each bun base drizzle with extra glaze top with slaw and cover with bun tops. Serve immediately.
Save to Pinterest Making these sliders has become a family tradition every time we gather for weekend cookouts the kids love assembling their own!
Notes
Serve with pickles or crispy onions for added texture. Pairs well with a smoky bourbon cocktail or amber ale.
Required Tools
Roasting pan with rack Saucepan Mixing bowls Sharp knife Cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains gluten (slider buns soy sauce) eggs (mayonnaise) and soy (soy sauce). Contains alcohol (bourbon). Check all labels for potential allergens if using store bought ingredients.
Save to Pinterest Enjoy these sliders as a flavorful bite perfect for entertaining or a special family dinner.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do you achieve tender pork belly?
Slow-roasting pork belly at a low temperature for over two hours breaks down the fat and connective tissue, resulting in succulent tenderness.
- → What is the purpose of the bourbon glaze?
The bourbon glaze adds a sweet and smoky caramelized coating that enhances the rich flavors of the pork belly.
- → How is the slaw prepared for these sliders?
Finely shredded red and green cabbage are mixed with grated carrot, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, then chilled to develop crispness and tang.
- → Can the glaze be made without alcohol?
Yes, substituting bourbon with apple juice creates a similarly sweet glaze without alcohol.
- → What are recommended accompaniments for these sliders?
Pickles, crispy onions, or a smoky bourbon cocktail complement the sliders well, adding texture and flavor contrast.