Summer is almost here! Can I get an Amen?! BBQs and summer holidays like Memorial Day, Father’s Day and the 4th of July are right around the corner. What better way to celebrate than with whiskey sliders?!

A Funny Story About Apple Whiskey Pulled Pork Sliders

When I was originally testing this recipe, my husband, Hot Tom, eagerly volunteered to be a taste tester. As he was scarfing down these sliders, he said to me, “Not to toot your horn… because what kind of food tester would I be? But I think this is the best thing you’ve ever made.”. Bold. Very Bold.

Anyway, fast forward a few years and Tom requested I make these whiskey sliders for his 30th birthday party. Long story short, I made 17 pounds of pulled pork and we went through all 17 pounds. There were 23 people at the party. Haha! For those not up on their pulled pork to person ratios, that is an obscene amount of pulled pork for that amount of people. I guess it is safe to say we enjoyed ourselves.

I’ve also made whiskey pulled pork sliders for Father’s Day, the 4th of July and various other celebrations. These whiskey sliders have become quite popular to say the least.

Helpful Notes & Tips About the Recipe

Ingredients & Flavors

Don’t worry these sliders won’t get ya tipsy… we will leave that job to our cocktails (JK!…sorta)! This recipe brings out the delicious flavors of the whiskey without the bite of the alcohol. The pulled pork is tender and flavorful with a hint of sweet apple from being cooked low and slow. Then we have the bourbon cheese sauce that is poured over the pork… Oh. My. God. Becky.

I don’t even know how to go about describing this liquid gold. In short, butter, onions, garlic, heavy cream, cheese and bourbon create the best sauce known to mankind. Lastly, finishing off the slider with lime cabbage and jalapeño rings brings this recipe to gold medal status. The fresh crunch, zesty flavor and hint of heat perfectly compliment the pork and cheese sauce. This sandwich has it all my friends!

Pre-Shredded vs. Block Cheese

Pre-shredded cheese has a coating applied to it to prevent the shreds from clumping up and sticking together. That coating makes this cheese sauce too thick. If possible, I recommend buying a block of cheese and shredding it yourself for the cheese sauce. If you are using pre-shredded cheese, start with half the quantity listed in the recipe and go from there.

This Bourbon Cheese Sauce is Magic!

Helpful Notes & Tips (cont.)

About the Whiskey Used

This recipe features whiskey from a local distillery right here in Minnesota, Panther Distillery. I’m a big supporter of local and small businesses, especially if they sell a killer product. Panther Distillery definitely checks all of those boxes! They handcraft all their spirits using only fresh , locally grown ingredients (jackpot!). Husband Tom likes their Pike Street Bourbon but their Spiked Apple Spirits is my personal favorite. It tastes like fresh crisp apples, cinnamon and a good time.

Whiskey Substitutions

Substitute Panther’s Spiked Apple Whiskey (used for the pulled pork) with any other apple infused whiskey that is around 30 proof. The Pike Street Bourbon (used for the bourbon cheese sauce) can be substituted with another good quality bourbon.

Alcohol-Free Substitutions

You can substitute the Spiked Apple Spirits with apple juice or apple cider when making the pulled pork. When making the cheese sauce, simply omit the whiskey entirely for an alcohol-free version. So substitutions necessary!

Make Ahead

The pulled pork is made in the crockpot. So, you basically set it and forget. It doesn’t get much simpler than that! Make the pulled pork ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. Reheat it in the slow cooker an hour or so before you are ready to eat. If you need to keep the cheese sauce warm for an extended period of time just throw it in a mini crock pot.





Keep It Easy

I frequently make these sliders for birthdays, bbq and other events. To make it easy, I keep the pulled pork in a crockpot and put the cheese sauce in a mini crockpot along side a tray with the buns and toppings. That way the food stays warm and people can assemble their own whiskey pulled pork sliders!

Side & Drink Ideas for Parties!