Slow-Cooker Apple-Cider Pulled Pork
Serves 6 to 8
This recipe yields a heaping mound of melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork. Serve it with a side of homemade coleslaw, sandwich it between two sweet potato slices for tasty sliders, or pile it on spuds to create fully loaded baked potatoes. The possibilities for creating quick and easy meals are virtually endless!
Prep: 10 minutes
Slow Cook: 6 hours (low) or 8 hours (high)
Total: 6 hours 20 minutes
- FOR THE RUB
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 pounds boneless pork butt
- 1 large sweet onion, sliced
- 1½ cups unsweetened, unfiltered apple cider
MAKE THE RUB: Combine all the seasonings in a small bowl. Sprinkle the rub over the pork and rub it in with your fingers.
Arrange the onion slices on the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. If necessary, cut the pork to fit in the cooker then place on top of the onions. Add the apple cider. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 6 to 7 hours.
Carefully transfer the meat to a large platter and allow it to rest for a few minutes. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl. Place 1 cup of the liquid back into the slow cooker; discard the remaining liquid and the onion.
Using two forks, shred the meat. Return the meat to the slow cooker and toss with the cooking liquid. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
