Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
This Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork is tender, a little tangy, a little sweet, and piled high with a crunchy apple slaw. You add everything to the crock pot in the morning and shred it at dinner, which is about as easy as a fall weeknight gets.
Quick Look: Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Ready In: 8 hours 20 minutes
Serves: 6-8
Calories: 450 Calories
Main Ingredients: pork shoulder, apple cider, garlic powder, onion, apple, coleslaw mix, dijon mustard
Why You'll Love It: Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork is a crazy easy crock pot recipe that is perfect for a fall weeknight or game day!
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Fall in our house means the slow cooker comes out and stays out. This pulled pork is one of the easiest recipes in this year's Crocktober lineup: season a pork shoulder, add apple cider, apple cider vinegar, Dijon, and an onion, and let the crock pot do the rest. My kids love this pork and actually asked for seconds the last time I made it! I love serving it on buns topped with the apple slaw or on top of a sweet potato for a nutrient-packed meal.
The apple slaw on top is what makes it super special. It's creamy, crunchy, and tangy enough to balance the rich pork, and it comes together with a bag of coleslaw mix and one bowl.
If you're stocking up on slow cooker dinners this fall, try my Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken, Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup, or Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup. For a fall side, Hot Honey Sweet Potatoes or this Autumn Butternut Squash Kale Salad go great with it.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Dump and Go - Everything goes into the slow cooker at once. No browning, no extra pans.
Family Friendly - Mild, slightly sweet pork that kids can eat plain or on a bun.
Great for Busy Weeknights - Start it in the morning on low, or after lunch on high.
Makes Leftovers Easy - One pork shoulder feeds a crowd, with plenty for lunches.
Fall Flavor Without the Fuss - Apple cider and a crunchy apple slaw make it feel seasonal with pantry ingredients.
Key Ingredients
Pork Shoulder - The best cut for pulled pork. It turns fall-apart tender after hours in the slow cooker.
Apple Cider - The main cooking liquid, and where the sweet apple flavor comes from.
Apple Cider Vinegar - Adds tang to balance the sweetness of the cider.
Dijon Mustard - Gives the pork depth and a little bite.
Smoked Paprika - Adds a smoky flavor without a smoker.
Yellow Onion - Cooks down into the juices and adds savory flavor.
Coleslaw Mix - The shortcut base for the apple slaw.
Apple - Thin slices add crunch and sweetness to the slaw.
Whole Grain Mustard - Adds texture and tang to the slaw dressing.
Substitutions and Variations
Different Cut of Pork - You can use pork butt which is the same cut as pork shoulder, sometimes labeled Boston butt. Either works.
Shred your own Cabbage - Use thinly sliced green and red cabbage plus a shredded carrot in place of bagged coleslaw mix.
Any Type of Apple - Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith for a tarter slaw.
How to Make Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Step 1.
Add the pork shoulder, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, sliced onion, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, apple cider, and apple cider vinegar to the slow cooker.
Step 2.
Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 8 to 9 hours. Shred the pork.
Step 3.
Combine all of the slaw ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Step 4.
Serve the pulled pork on a bun topped with the apple slaw. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
Shred in the Juices - After shredding, toss the pork in the cooking liquid so it stays moist.
Make the Slaw Ahead - The slaw can be mixed up to a few hours ahead and kept in the fridge.
Cook on Low - The longer, slower cook gives the most tender result.
Storage - store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze this pork for up to 3 months.
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pull Pork Recipe FAQs
Nope. Everything goes straight into the slow cooker, so there's no extra pan to wash.
Either works. Cook it on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 8 to 9 hours. Low is great if you're starting it in the morning before work or school drop-off.
It's ready when it shreds easily with two forks. If it's still tough, give it more time.
Yes. The pork keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheats well, so it's a good one for Sunday cooking and weeknight leftovers. Keep the slaw separate so it stays crunchy.
Other Pork Recipes to Consider
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #greensnchocolate.
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
Apple Cider Pulled Pork
- 4 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 yellow onion sliced
- 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups apple cider
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
Apple Cabbage Slaw
- 1 package coleslaw
- 1 apple chopped
- 3 green onions chopped
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon whole grain mustard
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 buns for serving
Instructions
- Add everything for the pork to the slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 8 to 9 hours, until the pork is shreddable.
- Shred the pork.
- For the slaw, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
- In a bowl combine the slaw dressing with the coleslaw mix, green onions, and chopped apples.
- Serve the pork on buns. Spoon more of the juices from the slow cooker on top of the pork and then top with the slaw.
- Enjoy!
