Smashed Plantain Pulled Pork Sliders! Ok, say that five times fast. This recipe was born because we went to a great little restaurant in downtown Bend called Barrio with some friends in town visiting us. On the menu they have these cute little pork carnitas sliders with fried plantains for the buns. They are super tasty, so we decided to make our own Paleo version using our crockpot pulled pork.
Pork + Plantains
Two things we absolutely love are pork and plantains, so it is only natural to put them together for a tasty appetizer when you have guests over, or have a couple of them and make it a dinner. You can totally keep them simple, with just pulled pork and the smashed plantains, or add your favorite sauces and toppings. We like them simple, but have been known to add some mustard or Primal Kitchen Chipotle Lime Mayo! That stuff is so good! Just slap a little on (just about anything) and you’ll be glad you did!
How to Make Smashed Plantains
The smashed plantains are really quite easy to make. They are basically just twice fried. You fry the plantains once to soften them up, smash them, and then fry them again. The second frying really makes the edges nice and crispy, and the whole thing holds up well as a bun. The key is using green plantains because they will be hard and starchy (kind of like a potato) and be firm enough for a bun. Ripe plantains are too mushy to make into a bun (we tried and failed).
Up Your Game With these Smashed Plantain Pulled Pork Sliders
Seriously though, these are an easy way to up your appetizer or dinner game! They feel like they have been catered. I can just picture them at a gathering with a little bar of toppings and sauces to go with! How fun and cute! Or….you could just make stacks and stacks of smashed plantain pulled pork sliders like this! Look at the crispy and juicy goodness! Get in my belly!
Make these smashed plantain pulled pork sliders, and let us know how it goes by leaving a comment below. Then, snap a photo, and tag us on Instagram @realsimplegood so we can see!
Smashed Plantain Pulled Pork Sliders (Paleo, Whole30 + GF)
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups pulled pork
- 2 green plantains
- 4-6 tbsp avocado oil
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- First, prepare pulled pork according to instructions.
- Next, prepare plantain buns. Start by scoring plantain peels lengthwise with a knife, and then removing the peels. Slice plantains into 1 inch pieces (each plantain will make 5-6 pieces).
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add in 4 tbsp avocado oil to cover the pan.
- When the pan is hot, add in plantain pieces. Cook plantains on one side for approximately 2 minutes, until browned on one side. Flip plantains to cook on the other side. Plantains are somewhat shaped like a triangle, so you will need to flip them twice to cook all three sides. Cook approximately 2 minutes per side so each side is browned. Remove and place on a paper towel lined plate.
- Allow plantain pieces to cool for a few minutes until you are able to handle them. Smash plantain pieces with the bottom of a plate or other flat object to flatten.
- Once all pieces are flattened, heat skillet again to medium and add in more avocado oil if necessary to cover the pan. Cook flattened pieces 1-2 minutes per side, until browned and crispy but not burnt. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and sprinkle with salt.
- Make sliders by using the plantain pieces as a bun. Place some pulled pork between two pieces of fried plantains and dig in!