Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork

Name: Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 495 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 lbs bone-in pork shoulder (Boston butt); 1 cup apple cider (not apple juice); 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar; 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed; 2 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 2 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced; 6 garlic cloves, smashed; 1 cup gluten-free BBQ sauce

Succulent pork shoulder slow-braised in apple cider with brown sugar and warm spices until it falls apart into juicy, tangy-sweet pulled pork. Perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or piled over mashed potatoes.

495 minEasyServes 8470 cal/serving

AmericanDinnerSlow CookerStandardHigh ProteinDairy-FreeGluten-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

4 lbs bone-in pork shoulder (Boston butt)
1 cup apple cider (not apple juice)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced
6 garlic cloves, smashed
1 cup gluten-free BBQ sauce

Instructions

1

Mix 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a small bowl to make a dry rub.
2

Pat 4 lbs bone-in pork shoulder (Boston butt) dry and rub the spice mixture all over the surface.
3

Place 1 large thickly sliced yellow onion and 6 smashed garlic cloves in the bottom of the slow cooker. Set the seasoned pork on top.
4

Pour 1 cup apple cider (not apple juice) and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar around the pork. Sprinkle 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar over the top.
5

Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 5-6 hours, until the pork is very tender and reaches an internal temperature of 195-205°F (90-96°C) and shreds easily with forks.
6

Transfer pork to a cutting board. Remove and discard the bones, large fat pieces, and cooking liquid (or skim and reserve some for moistening). Shred pork with two forks.
7

Return shredded pork to the slow cooker. Stir in 1 cup gluten-free BBQ sauce and toss to coat. Serve on buns or as desired.

Questions

Can I make Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop. It also freezes well for up to three months.

Can I halve or double Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Keep the slow cooker between half and two-thirds full; the cook time stays roughly the same.

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