Slow-Cooked Southern-Style Pulled Pork with Tangy Vinegar Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-08 · Updated 2026-06-08

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder simmered in a tangy vinegar-based sauce, perfect for sandwiches or hearty plates. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 525 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 510 min Serves 8 American cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 lbs pork shoulder
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup water

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry 3 lbs pork shoulder and rub all over with 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder to evenly coat.
Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, and 1/2 cup water until sugar dissolves.
Step 3: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker and pour the vinegar sauce over it, making sure the pork is mostly submerged. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
Step 4: Remove pork from the slow cooker and shred using two forks, discarding excess fat. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir well to coat with sauce. Cook uncovered on low for an additional 30 minutes to thicken sauce.
Step 5: Serve warm on toasted sandwich buns or with your favorite sides, spooning extra sauce over the top.