Southern-Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Tangy Slaw

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender slow-cooked pulled pork infused with southern spices, served with a crisp and tangy cabbage slaw. This southern american-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, brown sugar, smoked paprika 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Southern American cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over 3 lbs pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Place the pork shoulder into a slow cooker. In a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup ketchup, and 2 tbsp mustard. Pour over the pork.
  3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is fall-apart tender.
  4. Step 4: While the pork cooks, prepare the slaw by combining 3 cups shredded cabbage and 1 medium shredded carrot in a large bowl.
  5. Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until well coated.
  6. Step 6: Once the pork is done, shred it using two forks and mix with the cooking juices in the slow cooker for extra flavor.
  7. Step 7: Serve the pulled pork topped with the tangy slaw on sandwich rolls or as a plated dish.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Small appliances → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Southern-Style Slow Cooker 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 Southern-Style Slow Cooker 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 Southern-Style Slow Cooker 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 Southern-Style Slow Cooker 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 Southern-Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Tangy Slaw?

Southern 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.

Related recipes