Slow Cooker Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Cider Pulled Pork

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-07 · Updated 2026-05-07

Tender pulled pork slow-cooked in a cinnamon-spiced apple cider sauce, perfect for festive sandwiches or wraps. This American-inspired holiday recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, apple cider, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs, trimmed pork shoulder
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2, peeled and sliced small apples

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Rub this spice blend evenly over the entire surface of the 3 lbs trimmed pork shoulder.
3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder for 4-5 minutes on each side until well browned and caramelized; transfer to a slow cooker.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups apple cider, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp yellow mustard; pour this mixture over the pork in the slow cooker.
5. Step 5: Add 2 peeled and sliced small apples around the pork.
6. Step 6: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
7. Step 7: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks; mix shredded pork with the cooking juices and apples before serving.