Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic Pulled Pork with Tangy Slaw

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

Tender pulled pork slow-cooked in a sweet and savory honey-garlic sauce, paired with a crunchy tangy cabbage slaw. This american-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, honey, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 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.

★ 4.2 (15 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 430 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a slow cooker, combine 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 5 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder in the slow cooker and coat with the sauce.
  2. Step 2: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
  3. Step 3: While the pork cooks, prepare the slaw by mixing 3 cups thinly sliced green cabbage, 2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage, and 1 large shredded carrot in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss well to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  5. Step 5: Once the pork is cooked, shred it using two forks and mix it with the cooking juices in the slow cooker.
  6. Step 6: Serve the pulled pork topped with a generous scoop of the tangy cabbage slaw on sandwich rolls or over rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic 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 Cooker Honey-Garlic 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 pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Honey-Garlic 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 Cooker Honey-Garlic Pulled Pork with Tangy Slaw for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Cooker Honey-Garlic 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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