Slow Cooker Bourbon-Glazed Pulled Pork with Kentucky Maple

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

Tender pulled pork simmered in a bourbon and maple syrup glaze, slow-cooked to perfection with a hint of smoky sweetness. This american-inspired french ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, bourbon, pure maple syrup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 pork shoulder
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 3 lbs pork shoulder and rub evenly with 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned and caramelized, then transfer to slow cooker.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, whisk 1/2 cup bourbon, 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbsp yellow mustard until combined and pour over pork in slow cooker.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is fall-apart tender.
5. Step 5: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks; skim fat from cooking liquid, then return pork to slow cooker and stir into juices to soak for 10 minutes before serving.