‘Tis the season when I go from lugging my slow cooker out from the pantry to giving it an official “home” on the countertop for the winter.
(And coming from someone with very limited counter space, that’s saying a lot!)
But my slow cooker has earned it. I am putting it to use constantly lately, making all sorts of great meals, prepping ingredients, even making some of my favorite apple cider and mulled wine. But without a doubt, I still use the slow cooker most to prep large batches of meat. Whether it’s chicken, pork, or beef, my slow cooker just does a rockstar job at seasoning meat and cooking it to perfection without me hardly lifting a finger.
So for a seasonal twist on pulled pork, I decided to try making a slow cooker apple cider pulled pork recipe this week. And oh people, you’re not going to want to miss this one.
Longtime readers of this blog know that I am all for all things apple cider when cold weather hits. Whether it’s making homemade apple cider from scratch, serving it in cute apple cider cups, cooking up some apple cider baked chicken, or even making caramel apple cider cookies, it’s safe to say that anything apple cider is a definite favorite around here.
So when I was craving a sweeter pulled pork, it seemed like a no-brainer to try cooking it in some spiced apple cider! I always love apples with pork, so I decided to throw in some apple cider with a few extra cider spices and onions for seasoning. And then I let the slow cooker do its magic.
Once again, the apple cider rocked it. This slow cooker apple cider pulled pork turned out amazing!!!
I loved the sweet apple flavor mixed with all of those spices on the pork. And the apple cider vinegar and onions gave it just enough of a savory cut to balance things out. I served it to friends on pork sandwiches, but it would also be awesome in tacos, quesadillas, or with some bbq sauce on top.
Totally simple, and totally delicious.
Once again, well done, slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 3.5 lb. pork shoulder
- 1 small white onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup apple cider, homemade or store-bought
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Place half of the onions in the slow cooker. Set pork on top of onions, then cover pork with remaining onions.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all remaining ingredients. Pour on top of pork and onions.
- Cook in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, or until the pork is cooked and pulls apart easily with a fork. Shred pork using two forks, then toss once more in the juices so that it is coated. Serve warm.
- You can also refrigerate or freeze the pork in a sealed container.
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!Try these other favorite slow cooker meat recipes too!
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos
Made this today. It is incredible! Such a strong apple cider flavor- no sauce needed! I’ve also made your Chicken Enchilada Pasta Bake and your Skinny Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup and love both!!!
I’ve been meaning to comment on this and tell you how amazing it looks! yum!
This looks delicious, Ali! I’m in the market for a new slow cooker. Just wondering what kind you have and if you love it. Thanks!
Pic shows it’s Hamilton Beach
Oh my gosh. This just hit 6 hours in my crock pot and it shredded so easily and tastes amazing!! Another plus, our apartment smells like apple pie! Thanks for the recipe!
Love pulled pork! This looks delicious, Ali!
This looks heavenly and I don’t use my slow cooker nearly enough. Time to start!!
Yay! Something to do with my apple cider!!! Love this!
I for one LOVE my crock-pot to pieces! :-)
It has saved me countless of times when I knew my days ahead were just going to be too busy to pull out my pots & pans and cook. It has help me creative a good and filling meal many times. I do like it when it does the 6 to 9 hours of cooking for me. :-)
This recipe will definitely go into my keeper file.
Just tell me, who doesn’t enjoy a good apple cider anything anyway?!
Great pictures….you ALWAYS make me hunger when I read your post! LOL!!
Thanks for sharing this one!
I can only imagine how wonderful your kitchen was smelling with this delicious pork in the slow cooker! Gorgeous sandwich!
I have a recipe down on my to do list for apple cider pork. I think I have my new recipe to try out. You almost made it too easy for me.