Transform your weeknight dinners with our ultimate Slow Cooker Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork! This incredibly easy and flavorful recipe delivers tender, succulent pork bathed in a simple yet sensational homemade apple cider BBQ sauce. It’s the perfect fuss-free meal, designed for busy families and hungry crowds, promising a mouthwatering experience that will have everyone asking for seconds. Get ready to set it, forget it, and dive into comfort food perfection!
Imagine this: A chilly day outdoors, perhaps spent sledding down snowy hills or simply tackling a busy work schedule. As evening approaches, the thought of a warm, comforting meal that practically cooks itself sounds like a dream. That dream becomes a delicious reality with this Slow Cooker Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork. There’s truly nothing better than walking into a home filled with the inviting aroma of a hearty dinner simmering away, just waiting for you to gather around the table.
While pulled pork is a year-round favorite, perfectly suited for everything from vibrant summer barbecues to cozy autumn potlucks, it truly shines on a frosty winter’s day. The warmth and rich flavors provide an unparalleled sense of comfort. What makes this particular recipe stand out is its incredible simplicity and adaptability. It comes together quickly, can be customized to suit a variety of palates, and is virtually foolproof. Even novice cooks can achieve perfectly tender, flavorful pulled pork without any stress. Don’t feel like serving it on a bun? No problem! Spoon this saucy, savory pork over a bed of fluffy rice, alongside roasted vegetables, or even in tacos for a delightful twist. Its versatility makes it a staple in our household.
This recipe elevates classic pulled pork to new heights with two key additions: the natural sweetness and tang of apple cider, and my recently discovered go-to seasoning, Tony Chachere’s No Salt Seasoning Blend. The result is a deeply flavored, incredibly rich, yet perfectly balanced and family-friendly rendition of a beloved comfort food. Tossed in a vibrant, homemade apple cider BBQ sauce, every bite is a testament to simple ingredients coming together to create something truly extraordinary. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a pot full of culinary love, and I promise you, no one will be able to resist going back for second and even third helpings!
Cooking is a cherished activity in our home, and it’s wonderful to see my three-year-old starting to show genuine interest in helping out in the kitchen. This enthusiasm encourages me to keep our evening recipes as simple and accessible as possible, allowing her to participate in the fun. The discovery of Tony Chachere’s No Salt Seasoning Blend has been a game-changer, making the preparation for this pulled pork simpler and more straightforward than ever. My husband, who hails from Louisiana – the birthplace of Tony Chachere’s seasoning – has always been a devout fan, and now I understand why!
This particular seasoning blend is remarkable because it packs all the robust, authentic flavor of Tony’s Original Creole Seasoning without any added salt or sodium substitutes. This makes it an invaluable addition to your pantry, especially if you’re mindful of sodium intake or simply want to control the saltiness of your dishes. It delivers an incredible punch of savory, aromatic spices without the risk of over-salting, allowing the natural flavors of your ingredients to shine. This blend has not only become a staple for our pulled pork but has also reignited my excitement for grilling season! Its versatility is truly impressive: use it liberally on chicken, beef, and seafood, sprinkle it over roasted vegetables, scramble it into eggs, add depth to soups, or even dust it onto oven-baked fries for an extra kick. You can even use it as a foundational flavor for homemade salad dressings. It’s a multi-purpose seasoning that adds a vibrant, zesty character to almost anything you cook.
Beyond the seasoning, let’s talk about the star of the show: the apple cider BBQ sauce. This isn’t just any barbecue sauce; it’s a homemade concoction that balances sweet, tangy, and savory notes perfectly. The apple cider adds a bright, fruity dimension that complements the rich pork beautifully, cutting through its richness with a refreshing crispness. Making it from scratch means you control every ingredient, ensuring a fresh, vibrant flavor profile that store-bought options simply can’t match. It simmers slowly, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a thick, glossy sauce that clings to every strand of pork.
Looking for that “oh-so-good” and “super easy” meal to conquer your weekly cooking routine? This pulled pork recipe is your answer, whether you’re planning a lazy family night in or preparing to feed a bustling crowd of hungry friends. It has quickly ascended to the top of our list for delicious dinners, boasting minimal prep time and even less cleanup – a true hero in any kitchen! We all know that a dinner without a mountain of dishes to wash earns instant approval, and this recipe delivers on that front, too.
A quick note on the apple cider: if you don’t have access to apple cider or prefer to use a different sauce, feel free to adapt! You can easily substitute it with your favorite homemade BBQ sauce recipe or a high-quality store-bought variety. The real star, the secret weapon if you will, is the seasoning blend on the pork itself. So, no matter which sauce you choose, the pork will remain incredibly tender, juicy, and finger-licking good! This recipe is designed for flexibility, ensuring a fantastic meal regardless of minor adjustments.
This Slow Cooker Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork truly embodies what comfort food should be: effortlessly delicious, wonderfully versatile, and deeply satisfying. It’s a dish that brings smiles to faces and warmth to hearts, making mealtime a joyous occasion. I sincerely hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as mine does. I’d love to hear how yours turns out, so please share your experiences and any delightful twists you discover!
Slow Cooker Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork
15 minutes
4 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients
- For the Apple Cider BBQ Sauce:
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 2/3 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. Dijon or spicy brown mustard
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- For the Pulled Pork:
- 1 (3 lb.) boneless pork shoulder or pork loin, trimmed of excess fat
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Tony Chachere’s No Salt Seasoning Blend
- Seeded hamburger buns, optional
Instructions
For the Apple Cider BBQ Sauce:
- Whisk all sauce ingredients together in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Allow it to simmer for 30-45 minutes, whisking occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Remove from heat and carefully pour the sauce into a re-sealable jar or container. Refrigerate until ready to use; the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
For the Pulled Pork:
- Place the trimmed pork shoulder or loin into your slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and Tony Chachere’s No Salt Seasoning Blend. Rub this mixture generously all over the pork. Cover the slow cooker and cook on the High heat setting for 4 hours. Halfway through the cooking time (after 2 hours), flip the pork over to ensure even cooking and seasoning.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the pork to a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the tender pork until it’s evenly pulled apart. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker, mixing it thoroughly with any remaining juices and the prepared apple cider barbecue sauce. Cover and cook on the Low heat setting for an additional 15 minutes, or until the pork is fully warmed through and coated in the delicious sauce.
To Serve:
- For classic pulled pork sandwiches, use a slotted spoon to heap about 1/2 cup of the pork mixture onto the bottom half of each seeded hamburger bun. Cover with the top half of the bun. The pork mixture can be kept warm on the Low heat setting in the slow cooker for up to 2 hours; stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even warmth.
Notes
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Tony Chachere’s Famous Creole Cuisine.® All opinions are my own.
For best results, use a pork shoulder (also known as pork butt or Boston butt) for shredding, as it tends to be fattier and more tender when slow-cooked. Pork loin can be used but may result in a slightly drier texture.
If you don’t have fresh garlic cloves, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder in the BBQ sauce.
Leftover pulled pork can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
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