Salty, Sweet Pork Sliders with Goat Cheese and Blackberries

Name: Salty, Sweet Pork Sliders with Goat Cheese and Blackberries
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 3 pound pork tenderloin or other pork roast; ½ teaspoon each of sea salt and black pepper; 1 teaspoon of onion powder; 1 teaspoon of garlic powder; 4 ounces goat cheese; 6 ounces of blackberries; Mixed greens; 12 Slider buns of your choice

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Salty, spicey, sweet, and cheesy! This recipe for pork sliders with goat cheese and blackberries has it all. Salty, seasoned roasted pork and goat cheese bursting with sweet blackberries! This can be an oven roasted slider or even a pulled pork slider. The choice is up to you! These are great for parties, a light lunch, or a picnic. This pork sliders with blackberries and goat cheese recipe will add a new taste to your next party.

What You Will Need:

3 pounds of pork tenderloin or other pork roast
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
4 oz of goat cheese
6 oz of blackberries
mixed greens
12 slider buns of your choice

What Pork to Use for the Sliders?

There are many cuts of pork to use for this recipe. Pork tenderloin, pork loin, boneless western ribs, or you can use my slow roasted pork shoulder recipe. A lot of it depends on your time frame, oven space, etc., however I used a pork loin with this recipe. A pork loin has just enough of a fat cap to give the pork some flavor. When cooking the loin, I wrap it up for most of the cooking time. Unwrapping it for about the last 15 minutes gives it some crispness that will add to the flavor of your sliders. Therefore it gives a nice contrast to the sweetness of the blackberries.

Boneless western ribs usually have a nice bit of fat on them and are great if you want to make a pulled pork for the sliders. The pork tenderloin usually is the quickest to make and are very tender. Pork tenderloins are usually available at most grocery stores. The only thing to watch out for is that they sometimes come flavored. For this recipe, it’s best to get one unseasoned. So there are many choices! They all work great and are usually not very expensive.

Roasting Your Pork for Sliders

So if you are going with the pork tenderloin, use the directions on the manufacturer’s package. If you do not have any manufacturer’s instructions then cook the tenderloin at 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until it reaches an internal temp of 145 degrees F.

Making the Blackberry Goat Cheese

Goat cheese can be found at some grocery stores at a reasonable price. Aldi’s sells goat cheese at a very low price and it tastes great. The blackberry goat cheese can be made while the pork is cooking. Place the goat cheese out on your countertop to come to room temperature. This will make it easier to mix.

To prepare the blackberries, place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and press half of the blackberries through. The juice will end up in the bowl. Discard the seeds that are left behind because they are not needed.

In an appropriately sized bowl, add the goat cheese and the blackberry juice and mix until well combined. It may be a bit on the runny side. This is ok. When it is put back in the fridge it will come back together. Cut the remaining blackberries in half and add them to the cream cheese mixture. The cut blackberries will add a great taste on the sliders.

Putting it Together

Cut the pork to fit the slider buns that you are using. Place between a teaspoon and a tablespoon of the blackberry goat cheese on either side of the bun, then layer the pork and greens. I used slider buns made of brioche. They just have a great taste to us and they were a great size. The hawaiian buns were too small as far as my family likes. They have a great taste though! Another slider bun to try are the pretzel buns. Pork sliders with blackberries then smooth goat cheese makes for a new taste discovery.

Try my queso sliders or my pulled pork for more great appetizer recipes!

Please visit my appetizer page for more ideas!

FAQ’s:

What kind of pork is best for these sliders?

You have many options, including pork tenderloin, pork loin, or boneless western ribs. Pork loin is great for flavor due to its fat cap, while tenderloin is often the quickest and most tender.

How do I prepare the blackberry goat cheese mixture?

Soften goat cheese at room temperature. Press half of the blackberries through a fine-mesh strainer to get juice, discard seeds. Mix the juice with the goat cheese, then fold in the remaining cut blackberries.

Can I make these pork sliders ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the seasoned roasted pork and the blackberry goat cheese mixture ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge and assemble the sliders just before serving.

How do I get crispy pork for the sliders?

If using a cut like pork loin, try wrapping it for most of the cooking time and then unwrapping it for the last 15 minutes to allow the exterior to crisp up.

What kind of slider buns work best?

Brioche buns are recommended for their great taste and size. Pretzel buns are also a good option for a different flavor profile. Hawaiian buns might be too small for some.

What is the benefit of adding fruit to savory pork sliders?

The blackberries add a crucial touch of sweetness and tartness that contrasts beautifully with the salty, seasoned roasted pork and the tangy goat cheese, creating a well-rounded and exciting flavor profile.