Cozy Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
A comforting and flavorful pulled pork recipe slow-cooked with apple cider, spices, and aromatics for tender, juicy meat with a subtle sweet and tangy flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours (low) or 4 to 5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes to 10 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), well-marbled
- 1 cup apple cider (240 ml), fresh and unfiltered if possible
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt to taste (about 1½ teaspoons)
- Black pepper to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and trim off any large excess fat, leaving some for flavor and moisture.
- In a bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper to make the spice rub.
- Generously coat the pork shoulder all over with the spice rub, pressing it in with your hands. Set aside.
- Place sliced onion and minced garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Set the rubbed pork shoulder on top of the onions and garlic.
- Pour apple cider and apple cider vinegar around the pork, avoiding pouring directly on top to preserve the rub.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until the pork is fork-tender and easily shredded.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks or meat claws, discarding large pieces of fat.
- Skim excess fat from the cooking juices and mix the shredded pork with the reserved juices and onions.
- Serve on buns, over rice, or alongside roasted vegetables.
- Optional: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it gently in a saucepan for 10 minutes to thicken and glaze the pork.
Notes
Use fresh, unfiltered apple cider for best flavor. Skim excess fat from cooking juices before mixing with shredded pork. Let pork rest 10 minutes before shredding for juicier meat. If sauce is thin, simmer to thicken. Can substitute pork butt or pork roast with adjusted cooking times. For gluten-free, ensure smoked paprika and apple cider vinegar have no additives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 32
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