Korean Gochujang Pulled Pork Sliders (Print View)

Slow-cooked pork with gochujang sauce and crisp slaw on soft buns—perfect for fun gatherings or relaxed meals.

# Components:

→ Pork

01 - 1.5 kg boneless pork shoulder, trimmed
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

→ Gochujang Sauce

04 - 1/3 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
05 - 1/4 cup soy sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
07 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
08 - 2 tablespoons honey
09 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
10 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
12 - 0.5 cup chicken broth

→ Slaw

13 - 2 cups napa cabbage, finely shredded
14 - 1 cup carrots, julienned
15 - 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
16 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
17 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
18 - 1 teaspoon sugar
19 - 0.5 teaspoon salt

→ Assembly

20 - 12 small slider buns or brioche rolls
21 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)
22 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or shiso leaves (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Season the bone-in pork shoulder generously with salt and black pepper.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together gochujang, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chicken broth until a smooth sauce forms.
03 - Place the seasoned pork into a slow cooker. Pour the prepared gochujang sauce over the pork, ensuring it is evenly coated. Cook on LOW for 6 hours, or until the pork is exceedingly tender and easily shreds.
04 - While the pork is cooking, combine the shredded napa cabbage, julienned carrots, and thinly sliced green onions in a large bowl. Dress with rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and salt. Toss gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate.
05 - Once tender, remove the pork from the slow cooker and transfer to a clean bowl. Using two forks, shred the pork until it is finely pulled. Skim any excess fat from the cooking liquid, then return the shredded pork to the liquid and toss to coat thoroughly.
06 - Lightly toast the slider buns, if desired, for added texture.
07 - Generously pile the pulled pork onto each slider bun. Top with a spoonful of the prepared slaw. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro or shiso leaves, if using.
08 - Serve these vibrant sliders immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 25 minutes of active prep time
  • Perfect make-ahead dish for entertaining
  • Balanced sweet heat that appeals to most palates
  • Impressive fusion dish using accessible ingredients
02 -
  • Perfect balance of sweet and spicy that even heat sensitive guests can enjoy
  • Makes excellent leftovers that taste even better the next day
  • Can be prepared entirely ahead and reheated for stress free entertaining
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan until golden before sprinkling on sliders for enhanced nutty flavor that makes all the difference.
  • For maximum tenderness choose a pork shoulder with good marbling and never rush the cooking process slow and low is the secret to melting texture.
  • Reserve about 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid separately before returning meat to the sauce this way you can adjust the final moisture level to your preference when reheating.