In this easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe, pork shoulder is simmered with apples and onions until it falls apart, then shredded and tossed with the softened apples and onions. This pulled pork recipe is great for sandwiches, tacos and more!!
Every time I use my slow cooker, I wonder why I waited so long before having one. It happened when making this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork as well as any other dish I have made in it.
Slow cooked meat is amazing. I mean, everything that comes out of this little appliance tastes great. And all I have to do is throw all the ingredients in and wait. Pretty cool for the lazy and busy girl that I am. Ok, I'm not that lazy, but I will never say no to something delicious that as little to zero prep.
The other day, I made a whole chicken in the crockpot, with lemon, rosemary and honey and the smell was just incredible. I was literally 'checking' on the chicken every 5 minutes. Rosemary is officially my new favorite herb. I cannot wait to share this recipe with you!
But I'll have to make it again because I couldn't take pictures the first time. That's the tricky part about the slow-cooker. By the time the meal is cooked, it's dark outside which is a big no-no for food photography.
I guess it's also the point of the slow-cooker: you come home to a cooked meal. Anyway, this chicken was delicious and I really don't mind making it again soon. But we are here to talk about Slow Cooker Pulled Pork!
So, I have some juicy and delicious slow cooker pulled pork for you. It's seriously the best pulled pork recipe out there. When browsing for easy, get special pulled pork recipes, I got inspired by Liz of The Lemon Bowl, who made this recipe for slow cooker pulled pork (update: her recipe isn't live anymore). I knew I had to try it ASAP.
The thing is, the day I had planned this hearty meal to happen, I realized the slow cooker pulled pork recipe called for beer. And I had none at home. Bummer. So I kept the idea of using apples and onions but I did the rest my way.
The result was melt-in-your-mouth slow cooked pulled pork, that I picked directly out of the slow cooker before the actual dinner. Can you call that an appetizer? I say, why not.
I don't want to sound bossy but you need to make this slow cooker pulled pork with apples and onions! Make a big batch and save some leftovers. You will need them for the next recipe. Want a hint? What's that yummy starchy vegetable you can see in the background of the pictures? YES! Stay tuned!
If you tried this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Apples and Onions, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!
Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork with Apples and Onions
In this easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe, pork shoulder is simmered with apples and onions until the meat falls apart, then shredded and tossed with the softened apples and onions. This pulled pork recipe is great for sandwiches, tacos and more!!
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp paprika
- ½ tbsp cumin
- ½ tbsp cinnamon
- salt to taste
- 1 large boneless pork shoulder
- 3 onions sliced
- 2 apples peeled and cubed
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 cup beef stock
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
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In a small bowl, combine spices (paprika, cumin, cinnamon) and salt. Rub the pork shoulder with the mixture.
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Make a bed of onions and apples at the bottom of your slow-cooker, and place pork shoulder on it. Drizzle with honey and pour in beef stock and apple cider vinegar.
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Cook on low for 8 hours.
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When meat is cooked, transfer it to a plate (be careful, it will easily fall apart!) and shred it apart using two forks. Transfer onion and apple mixture to a colander and drain it. Keep about ⅓ of the liquid, or enough to moist the meat.
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Combine meat, onion and apple mixture and add some liquid if necessary. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Recipe Notes
If you're planning on having leftovers, I recommend you to keep some additional cooking liquid and use it when you reheat the meat. This way, the meat will stay moist and delicious.
Susan
Slow cookers are wonderful if you work outside the home, but for me, as a retired person, I hate them, because the smell of the food cooking forever becomes overwhelming, I just had that experience again yesterday. But just now I figured out that if I can put the cooker outside, or possibly in the garage, that should help with the problem of cooking smells. This recipe does sound delicious, so I'll have to try it when we get back from the trip we are starting next week.
Gemma
This looks fantastic. Do you have any ideas as to how one could make this without a slow cooker?
Gin
Put it in the oven in a metal pot on 250 degrees. This is a given, but do make sure the pot is completely metal. I have heard you can cover any plastic parts with aluminum foil to keep them from melting, but I haven't tried it myself.
Paula
I do all of my slow cooker cooking outside Susan! Like you I'd rather do without food smells permeating the house for hours on end. I simply plug into an outside power supply near a handy table just outside the back door.
Jessie
So, 1 boneless pork shoulder.... How many pounds would be recommended? Saying 1 boneless pork shoulder could mean 2 lbs or 10 lbs.
marie
About 4 lbs! That's the size we commonly find in Australian supermarkets 🙂
Pam Eco
Can chicken broth be used as a substitute for the beef stock? I'm hoping to skip another trip to the market!
Marie
Yes definitely 🙂
dolores conroy
This sounds so good I am going to make it. Thank you for sharing. Today is September 25, 2017
Marie
I hope you'll enjoy this recipe!
Sheryl
Use apple juice or. Ider for the liquid, amazing
40A.
You really make me want to run off an get a slow cooker right now! I cannot believe I still don't have my own! I am so guilty of borrowing my neighbour's all the time, though and I think I might have to pay her a visit soon to try this one!
Freddie
Is this with the fat cut off or leave the fat on??
Marie
It depends how fatty your cut is. Leave some of the fat for flavor but remove most of it.
Martha McKinnon
Will this fit in a 3qt. slow cooker?
Marie
It should, yes. Choose a piece of meat that'd fit in your slow cooker.
Neil
Will pork loin work in place of shoulder roast?
Marie
Yes you could!