Print

Best Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork Recipe for Easy Dinners

slow cooker apple cider pulled pork - featured image
Print Recipe

This incredibly easy slow cooker pulled pork is tender, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights. With a subtle sweetness from apple cider and a savory spice blend, it’s a crowd-pleaser that requires only 15 minutes of hands-on prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–5 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt)
  • 2 cups apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: buns or rolls, coleslaw, pickles, barbecue sauce for serving

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat to about 1/4 inch if desired.
  2. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, coating all sides.
  4. Place the seasoned pork in a 6-quart slow cooker, fat side up. Pour apple cider, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth around the pork (not over the top).
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours, until fork-tender.
  6. Transfer the cooked pork to a cutting board. Shred with two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat.
  7. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh strainer. Skim off the fat and reserve about 1 cup of defatted liquid.
  8. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker. Add 1/2 to 1 cup of reserved liquid, tossing to coat. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  9. Serve warm on buns with coleslaw, pickles, and barbecue sauce, or use in tacos, nachos, or salads.

Notes

For deeper flavor, sear the pork shoulder in a hot skillet with oil before adding to the slow cooker. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 195-205°F for perfect tenderness. Shred the pork while still warm for easiest handling. Do not substitute apple juice for apple cider; real apple cider is essential for the best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker pulled pork, apple cider pulled pork, easy pulled pork, pulled pork recipe, slow cooker pork shoulder

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/best-slow-cooker-apple-cider-pulled-pork-recipe-for-easy-dinners/