Delicious & Easy Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Italian Pulled Pork Sliders (Slow Cooker Recipe)

Prepare to be amazed by these incredibly flavorful and tender Italian pulled pork sliders! Tangy from zesty pepperoncinis and bursting with a savory Italian dressing blend, this recipe delivers an exceptional slider experience. Requiring only a handful of ingredients, it’s not just delicious but also incredibly simple to prepare, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights or entertaining. Whether you’re planning a family dinner, packing a delicious lunch, or need a crowd-pleasing appetizer for tailgating or parties, these mini sandwiches are destined to become a beloved staple on your menu.

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Why These Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Italian Pork Sliders Are a Family Favorite

Who can resist the charm of a perfectly crafted sandwich, especially one as adorable and easy to eat as a slider? But don’t let their small size fool you – these Italian pulled pork sliders are anything but small on flavor. Each bite is an explosion of savory goodness, thanks to a slow-cooking process that allows the pork to simmer for hours with a delightful combination of zesty pepperoncinis and aromatic Italian seasoning packets. The result is unbelievably tender, shredded Italian pork, dripping with rich, tangy juices. A dollop of your favorite allergy-friendly mayo adds the final touch, elevating these sliders to a culinary masterpiece that truly earns a *chef’s kiss*.

Our family enjoys these sliders regularly for dinner because they offer maximum flavor with minimal effort. Pair them with a simple side of crunchy potato chips, a fresh medley of steamed vegetables, or some perfectly seasoned sweet potato fries (as pictured), and you’ve got a finger-food feast that’s fun for everyone and incredibly easy to clean up. Happy tummies and less kitchen stress? That’s a win-win in our book!

With very few ingredients, hardly any hands-on prep time, and an abundance of robust flavor, this slow cooker Italian pulled pork recipe is an absolute keeper that you’ll want to have on hand for countless delicious meals and gatherings.

Making These Italian Pork Sliders Gluten-Free: Bun Options

Achieving a truly gluten-free Italian pork slider experience starts with selecting the right bun. The good news is that the market now offers a fantastic variety of gluten-free bread options that are perfect for sliders. When choosing, consider not only the gluten-free aspect but also any other dietary needs or preferences your family might have. Here are some excellent gluten-free bun options we recommend:

Schar Ciabatta Rolls(Pictured above, these are made with soy. Schar also offers hamburger buns, which are equally delicious but can sometimes be harder to locate in stores.)
Canyon Bakehouse Buns(A popular choice that uses eggs. Canyon Bakehouse products are known for their soft texture and widely available.)
Little Northern Bakehouse Buns(These buns are not only gluten-free but also vegan, making them a great option for those avoiding eggs and dairy.)
BFree Rolls(Another excellent gluten-free and vegan option, BFree products offer a satisfying texture and taste.)
Udi’s Buns(Udi’s buns contain egg whites and are a long-standing favorite in the gluten-free community for their consistency.)

If you have a favorite gluten-free bun that wasn’t included in this list, please feel free to share it with me! We’re always looking for new recommendations. In my experience, I’ve had good luck finding Schar, Canyon Bakehouse, and Udi’s brands at most Walmart locations. Little Northern Bakehouse and BFree products tend to be more readily available at specialty grocery stores or health food markets.

Ensuring These Italian Pork Sliders Are Dairy-Free: The Dressing Discovery

One of the most challenging aspects of creating these dairy-free Italian pork sliders was finding an Italian dressing mix packet that was completely free of dairy ingredients. Many brands often include some form of milk powder, cheese, or other dairy derivatives to enhance flavor and texture. I spent considerable time scrutinizing labels from various brands until I finally discovered one that contained only spices and was entirely free from any form of milk or cheese. The specific brand I use and highly recommend is the Walmart brand, Great Value. The official product name is: Italian Salad Dressing & Recipe Mix. To help you identify it easily, I’ve included a picture below showing both the front and back of the packaging.

It’s worth noting that even within the same retail chain, product availability can vary. I’ve found that I can’t always find this particular mix at my closest Walmart and sometimes have to drive to another location across town. This highlights the importance of checking local store stock or calling ahead if you’re making a special trip. If you don’t have dairy allergies, you have the flexibility to use any brand of Italian seasoning mix you prefer. My husband, for example, who can enjoy dairy, loves to melt a slice of spicy pepper jack cheese on his slider for an extra kick!

Are These Italian Pork Sliders Allergy-Friendly for Everyone?

Absolutely! Based on a careful review of all ingredient labels, these Italian Pork Sliders are proudly free of the top-8-allergens. This recipe is meticulously crafted to exclude common allergens such as gluten, dairy, egg, fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts. This makes them a fantastic option for families managing multiple food allergies or for serving at gatherings where diverse dietary needs are present.

For individuals with extremely severe allergies, or those whose allergies require a deeper dive into manufacturing processes and potential cross-contact, I always encourage you to conduct your own research. Please feel free to contact ingredient companies directly to verify their allergen statements and production methods to ensure they meet your unique safety requirements. Your peace of mind is paramount, and while I share what works for my family, ultimately, you are the best advocate for your own health needs.

Choosing Your Vegan Mayo: Our Favorite and Ingredients

For me, a sandwich – whether it’s a slider or a hearty hoagie – just isn’t complete without a generous spread of creamy mayonnaise. Given that my son has a severe egg allergy, we exclusively use vegan mayonnaise. While it might seem a bit contradictory to use vegan mayo on a meat sandwich, it’s a simple and effective way to ensure everyone at our table can enjoy these delicious sliders safely. Our go-to choice is Hellmann’s Vegan Mayo (also known as Best Food’s in some regions), which delivers the classic taste and texture we love without any eggs. Here’s a quick look at its ingredients:

SUNFLOWER OIL, WATER, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH (POTATO, CORN), DISTILLED VINEGAR, LESS THAN 2 % OF: SUGAR, SALT, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, SORBIC ACID (USED TO PROTECT QUALITY), NATURAL FLAVOR, CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (USED TO PROTECT QUALITY), PAPRIKA EXTRACT.

Of course, the beauty of this recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to use any brand of mayonnaise that you prefer or that best suits your dietary needs. Hellmann’s vegan mayo is widely available, and I can typically find it at my local Walmart, as well as conveniently online via Amazon.

Cooking Methods: Slow Cooker vs. Instant Pot for the Pork Roast

This Italian pulled pork recipe truly shines when cooked slowly to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully and the pork to become incredibly tender. While I personally lean towards the slow cooker for this dish due to its hands-off nature and consistent results, I understand that sometimes time is of the essence. I’ve experimented with both methods (I even have an Instant Pot cookbook, after all!), and the Instant Pot offers a fantastic alternative when you need dinner on the table faster. Here’s how I would adapt the recipe for an Instant Pot:

To ensure quicker cooking in the Instant Pot, I recommend cutting your pork roast into at least four substantial pieces. This increases the surface area and allows for more even and rapid cooking. Place the seasoned pork pieces into your Instant Pot, add the pepperoncinis and broth, then cook on high pressure for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally. This natural release process is crucial for tenderizing the meat and typically takes about 15-30 minutes, bringing the total time to approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes (including the time for the pot to come to pressure and release). While significantly shorter than the 6-8 hours required in a slow cooker, both methods will yield delicious, shreddable pork.

Roast Selection: Pork vs. Beef, and Which Cuts Work Best

Our family primarily uses pork for this recipe due to my son’s anaphylactic allergies to beef – he’s one of those rare individuals who cannot consume both milk and beef. When choosing a pork roast, I typically avoid pork loin for shredding, as it tends to be leaner and can dry out more easily. Instead, I usually opt for a picnic roast because of its smaller size and ideal fat content, which contributes to its tenderness. A Boston Butt or a pork shoulder (also known as a pork butt) are equally excellent choices for pulled pork, offering rich flavor and a succulent texture that shreds beautifully.

If your dietary needs allow for beef, a chuck roast would be an absolutely delicious substitute for the pork. Chuck roast is renowned for its marbling and connective tissue, which break down during slow cooking to produce incredibly tender, flavorful shredded beef, perfect for these Italian-inspired sliders.

Watch How to Make Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Italian Pork Sliders in a Quick Video!

Yes, I’ve got you covered! For those who prefer visual instructions or just want a quick overview, I’ve put together a short and sweet TikTok video. This video provides a general walkthrough of the recipe, highlighting the key steps to make these delicious sliders. Enjoy watching, and happy cooking!

@allergyawesomeness##glutenfree & ##dairyfree Italian Pork Sliders. Easy appetizer or dinner. ##foodallergy ##foodallergies ##glutenanddairyfree♬ original sound – Megan Lavin

Gluten Free Dairy Free Italian Pork Sliders

Yield:
12-14 sliders

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
6 minutes

Additional Time:
15 minutes

Total Time:
26 minutes

Tangy from the pepperoncini’s & super flavorful from Italian dressing, this tender, Italian pulled pork makes an exceptional slider. Great as an entrée or appetizer.

Ingredients

2-3 pound boneless pork roast (see post for cut preferences)
1/2 of a 16-oz-jar of pepperoncini’s (Half peppers and half juice)
2 packets of Italian Salad Dressing & Recipe Mix (.7 oz each, see post for details)
garlic salt, black pepper, & salt to taste
1/2 cup of broth of choice (chicken or beef)*
Allergy friendly buns (see post for options)
Vegan mayo

Instructions

In a slow cooker/crock pot set to low, place your roast. Sprinkle on the two packets of Italian dressing mix.
Take your garlic salt and give a generous shake across the top of the roast. Repeat with salt and pepper.
Add in your 1/2 cup of broth along the bottom.
Set half the pepperoncini’s along the side of the roast. Pour in half of the pepperoncini’s brine in the bottom.
Place the lid on top and allow it to cook 6-8 hours, or until fork tender.
Take the roast out and shred. Return to the pot.
Serve over buns of your choice. Use mayo if desired.
Leftovers will keep in an air tight container in the fridge for 3 days.
(If you’d like to try a different slider, check out my BBQ chicken sliders.)

Notes

*Because we can’t have beef, we use chicken broth. If you can do beef, it will give it a richer flavor. If you’re like us and prefer to use bouillon to make broth (I find it more flavorful) I use Orrington Farms Broth Base. Mix 1 tsp and 1/2 cup water for the recipe.

The pepperoncini’s can be replaced with banana peppers (very similar, but not as hot). Also, you can use them to flavor the roast, but discard them before shredding for a milder roast. Leaving them in will make the mixture hotter.

Adapted from my friend Stacey’s adaption of The Pioneer Woman’s Dripping Beef

If you’re looking for more allergy friendly dinners, check out my cookbook: An Allergy Mom’s Lifesaving Instant Pot Cookbook.

*Our allergies, while severe and that get re-tested frequently, are such that we can go strictly by what’s on the label. I do not call companies to see what things are derived from, or call manufacturers to see about potential cross contact. If your allergies require you to do so, please do your own homework. I cannot assure you of any ingredient’s safety, only you can do that. I simply share what works for our family.

**If you are going to feed this to someone with food allergies, and you yourself do not have food allergies, I HIGHLY recommend having them check every single brand and ingredient you are using, to ensure they’re OK with each part of the recipe. And, to make sure you’ve talked to them about how to avoid cross contamination in your kitchen.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 363Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 261mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 27g

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