Memorial Day always feels like a kick-off to summertime. There will be a lot of cookouts and gathering happening this coming weekend and all throughout the summer. We ALWAYS go get BBQ, because it just feels like the right thing to do on Memorial Day. If you are looking for a way to serve BBQ in a cute way for the inevitable summer get-together, then look no further then the recipe for Mini BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with homemade Watermelon BBQ Sauce. It’s the perfect summer party dish.
See Below for Step x Step Instructions (including pictures) on how to make this Mini BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Watermelon BBQ Sauce!
There is truly nothing that says summer more than BBQ and Watermelon. I remember my parents bringing home the first watermelons of the summer from the store and it just felt like the ultimate fruit of the season. Here, I combine the 2 things to make the perfect summer party food.
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Ingredients for Mini BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Watermelon BBQ Sauce:
- Pork Shoulder
- Watermelon
- Onion
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Ketchup
- Molasses
- Brown Sugar
- Garlic
- Smoked Paprika
- Ground Mustard
- Cayenne Pepper
- Pretzel Slider Buns
Everything You need to Make Mini BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders:
Recipe Instructions for Mini BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Watermelon BBQ Sauce:
STEP 1: Cut your pork shoulder into quarters.
STEP 2: Stir together smoked paprika, salt, ground mustard and cayenne pepper in a small bowl to make spice mix.
STEP 3: Rub spice mix over entire pork shoulder and refrigerate. It’s best to do this overnight, but definitely allow it to sit for at least an hour.
STEP 4: In another bowl, stir together ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, and dark brown sugar. Set aside.
STEP 5: Set your instant pot to the Saute setting and select High temp. Add oil and saute each pork piece (2 at a time) until browned on all sides. Remove from instant pot and set aside.
STEP 6: Add the onion, watermelon rind and garlic to the instant pot and cook for about 3 minutes while stirring.
STEP 7: Add watermelon chunks and sauce mixture and cancel the saute on the Instant pot.
STEP 8: Add the pork on top and place the lid back on the instant pot.
STEP 9: Cook on HIGH pressure for 1 hour.
STEP 10: When pork is done cooking, remove the lid and transfer the pork to a bowl.
STEP 11: Shred the pork with 2 forks.
STEP 12: Skim the fat off of the top of what is remaining in the instant pot. Transfer everything left in the instant pot to a blender and blend until smooth.
STEP 13: Transfer the sauce to a saucepan and heat over hight heat until sauce is slightly thickened.
Complete Your Menu:
MAIN DISHES:
Peach Chipotle Chicken Wings
Shrimp Boil Skewers
SIDES/SNACKS:
Smoky BBQ Popcorn with Printable Cones
Spicy Coca-Cola Nuts
Maple Baked Beans
Spicy Cheese Straws
DESSERTS:
Key Lime Bars
Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream
DRINKS:
Watermelon Slushies
5 Easy Mocktails Recipes
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Printable Recipe:
Mini Pulled Pork Sliders with Watermelon BBQ Sauce
Adapted from My Recipes
Ingredients
- 8 lbs Boneless Pork Shoulder
- 4 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 4 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons ground mustard
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 4 tablespoons molasses
- 4 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 onion
- 1 small watermelon (chopped into 2 cups of rind & 3 cups of chunks)
- 8 garlic cloves
- Mini Pretzel Slider Buns
Instructions
- Cut your pork shoulder into quarters.
- Stir together smoked paprika, salt, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl to make spice mix.
- Rub spice mix over entire pork shoulder and refrigerate overnight.
- In another bowl, stir together ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses and dark brown sugar. Set aside.
- Set your instant pot to Saute setting and select HIGH temp. Add oil and saute each pork piece (2 at a time) until browned on all sides. Remove from instant pot and set aside.
- Add the onion, watermelon rind, and garlic to the instant pot and cook for about 3 minutes while stirring.
- Add watermelon chunks and sauce mixture and cancel the saute on the instant pot.
- Add the pork on top and place the lid back on the instant pot.
- Cook on High pressure for 1 hour.
- When pork is done cooking, remove the lid and transfer the pork to a bowl.
- Shred the pork with 2 forks.
- Skim the fat off the top of what is remaining in the instant pot to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Transfer the sauce to a saucepan and heat over high heat until sauce is slightly thickened.