Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Pulled Pork

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

Tender pulled pork slow-cooked in a sweet and savory honey-garlic sauce, perfect for sandwiches or rice bowls. This American-inspired Mother’s Day recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, garlic cloves, minced, honey 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
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 cup water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 6 minced garlic cloves, 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp onion powder until combined.
2. Step 2: Place 3 lbs pork shoulder into the slow cooker and pour the honey-garlic sauce over the meat, turning to coat evenly.
3. Step 3: Add 1/2 cup water to the slow cooker to maintain moisture, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the pork is fall-apart tender.
4. Step 4: Once cooked, remove the pork shoulder and shred it using two forks, then return the shredded meat to the slow cooker to soak up the sauce for 15 minutes before serving.
5. Step 5: Serve the pulled pork on toasted buns, over steamed rice, or with your favorite sides.