Apple Cider Spice Pulled Pork
Fall-apart tender pork shoulder infused with apple cider, spices, and herbs for a flavorful Whole30-friendly pulled pork. This american-inspired slow cooker (whole30) ready in about 495 minutes pairs trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder, avocado oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple cider
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat pork shoulder dry and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; sear pork for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 2: Add diced onion and minced garlic to skillet; cook for 2 minutes until softened. Pour in apple cider and apple cider vinegar, scraping pan bottom to release browned bits.
- Step 3: Pour skillet mixture over pork in slow cooker. Sprinkle with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and remaining 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours until pork is extremely tender; shred with two forks and serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Apple Cider Spice Pulled Pork take to make?
Total time is about 495 minutes (15 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Apple Cider Spice Pulled Pork?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep avocado oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Apple Cider Spice Pulled Pork?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Apple Cider Spice Pulled Pork for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Apple Cider Spice Pulled Pork whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better slow cooker dishes though.
