Slow-Cooker Honey-Glazed Pulled Pork with Apple Cider

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder simmered in a sweet-tart apple cider glaze, perfect for sandwiches or bowls, cooked overnight. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 555 minutes pairs trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder, apple cider, 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.

★ 4.0 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 540 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs trimmed pork shoulder in a slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup apple cider, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 cup diced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pour the mixture over the pork, ensuring it's evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 5 hours until pork is fork-tender and easily pulls apart.
  3. Step 3: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred using two forks, discarding any large fat pieces. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker with 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid and stir to coat. Simmer uncovered on LOW for 30 minutes to thicken the sauce.
  4. Step 4: Serve pulled pork on brioche buns with extra sauce or over cooked rice, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooker Honey-Glazed Pulled Pork with Apple Cider take to make?

Total time is about 555 minutes (15 min prep + 540 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-Glazed Pulled Pork with Apple Cider?

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 apple cider from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooker Honey-Glazed Pulled Pork with Apple Cider?

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-Glazed Pulled Pork with Apple Cider 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-Glazed Pulled Pork with Apple Cider?

American slow cooker 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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