Smoky Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork with Tangy Vinegar Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-21 · Updated 2026-06-21

Tender slow-cooked pulled pork infused with smoky spices, served with a tangy vinegar-based sauce that perfectly balances richness with a Southern kick. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp honey

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper, massaging the spices into the meat thoroughly.
2. Step 2: Place the seasoned pork shoulder into a slow cooker and pour 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup water around the meat (not directly on top) to keep it moist. Cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is fork-tender and easily shredded.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, and 1 tbsp honey with 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker to create a tangy sauce.
4. Step 4: Remove pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks, discarding any large chunks of fat. Toss the shredded pork with the prepared vinegar sauce until well-coated and serve warm.