Slow-Cooked Spiced Pulled Pork with Tangy Slaw

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pulled pork simmered with warm spices and topped with a crisp, tangy cabbage slaw for a perfect southern-style sandwich filling. This american-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs trimmed pork shoulder, paprika, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a small bowl. Rub this spice blend evenly over 2 lbs trimmed pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup water around the pork. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is very tender and shreds easily.
  3. Step 3: While pork cooks, in a medium bowl, mix 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 medium shredded carrot, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until creamy and well combined; refrigerate until serving.
  4. Step 4: When pork is done, remove it from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Drain excess liquid.
  5. Step 5: Toast 4 burger buns lightly. Pile each bun with a generous amount of pulled pork and top with the tangy slaw for a balanced texture and flavor contrast.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Spiced Pulled Pork with Tangy Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 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 Slow-Cooked Spiced Pulled Pork with Tangy Slaw?

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 trimmed pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Spiced Pulled Pork with Tangy Slaw?

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 Slow-Cooked Spiced Pulled Pork with Tangy Slaw 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.

What goes well with Slow-Cooked Spiced Pulled Pork with Tangy Slaw?

American pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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