Glazed Citrus and Vinegar Pulled Pork

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-01 · Updated 2026-07-01

Slow-cooked pulled pork glazed with a tangy citrus and vinegar sauce, balancing rich flavors with bright sour notes. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, apple cider vinegar, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 3 lbs, trimmed and cut into large chunks pork shoulder
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup, freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks evenly with 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork chunks on all sides for 3-4 minutes until browned and caramelized. Transfer to slow cooker.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, and 2 tbsp brown sugar until sugar dissolves.
4. Step 4: Pour the citrus-vinegar mixture over the pork in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is tender and falls apart easily.
5. Step 5: Remove pork and shred with two forks. Return shredded pork to slow cooker and stir to coat with the cooking juices and glaze.
6. Step 6: Serve pulled pork on buns, rice, or alongside vegetables, enjoying the balance of sour and sweet flavors.