Classic pulled pork made in the slow cooker with hard apple cider. Great on buns or even over rice.
Pork has to be one of the best meats to cook in the slow cooker. We love these pork enchiladas and kalua pig too!
My usual go to liquid for pulled pork is apple juice. I’ve been seeing more and more people using hard cider in cooking, why not?! I always have hard cider on hand, I tend to buy way more than I can drink. This recipe has other great flavors too; brown sugar, seasonings, onion and barbecue sauce.
What kind of hard cider should I use?
I want to be clear about what kind of hard cider to use. I think a plain hard cider is best. I’ve had ciders that say they taste like apple pie, but really taste like hot cinnamon candy, that is not the kind of cider to use in this recipe.
What kind of barbecue sauce should I use?
Just use your favorite! I love to try new barbecue sauces and test them in recipes like this.
What can I use instead of hard cider?
- Apple cider
- Apple juice
- Root Beer or Dr. Pepper
- Water
- Beer
How to serve this pulled pork:
- Serve on toasted buns
- With steamed rice
- Or mashed potatoes
What is your favorite way to make pulled pork? I’d love to hear your ideas! Have a great week.
Can I freeze leftover pulled pork?
- Add the cooled pork into freezer ziplock bags. Squeeze out all the excess air.
- Freeze for up to 6 months.
Need more ideas for pork?
- Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Cuban Pork
- Dr. Pepper Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Crock Pot Teriyaki Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Cajun Pork Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Classic Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
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Slow Cooker Hard Cider Barbecue Pork
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 4 lb. pork shoulder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup favorite barbecue sauce
- 1 white onion sliced
- 12 oz. bottle hard cider (regular, not apple pie or other strange flavor)
Instructions:
- Add the pork shoulder to the slow cooker
- Sprinkle over the salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, and brown sugar.
- Pour over the barbecue sauce and add the onion.
- Pour over the hard cider.
- Cover and cook on low for 10 hours. Or high for 6-7.
- Shred the pork and serve on buns or rice.
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
- Apple juice or cider
- Water
- Beer
- Root Beer or Dr. Pepper
- Add the cooled pork into freezer ziplock bags. Squeeze out all the excess air.
- Freeze for up to 6 months.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Can you eliminate the brown sugar?
Could only find loin end portions and only 5 lbs can I still use this I have a big crock pot
Yes, should work great.
Thank you
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I’ve got a slightly larger butt haha so I’ve had to adjust the measurements (hopefully it all goes well). I’m using American Spoon’s Cherry BBQ sauce and a Shacksbury Arlo cider(I don’t care for dry ciders, but figured it might work better than a sweet) I’ll update with how it turns out.
I’m excited about this recipe. I’m taking a few extra steps and smoking it in a blend of Hickory and apple wood for an hour or two before putting it in the crock. I also made a rub using the seasonings you listed as well as a little ground mustard. I’ll be using Famous Dave’s ‘Texas Pit’ for the sauce. Will update after it’s done. Thank you!
I use a Boston butt with McCormick pulled pork pack of spices. Everyone says my BBQ sauce is the best they have tasted. Shocked when I tell them I use the package of McCormick pulled pork spices.
i used half of the ingredients with 2lbs of meat in a smaller slow cooker. Do you think 10 hours are still fine?
I think there is plenty of liquid, so it should be fine.
If I want to use apple cider instead of hard cider, how much apple cider should I use?
I would do 1 1/2 cups.
Can i do this on high to speed up a bit? For how long? I was thinking high for like 4 hrs before i turn to low for like 2 hrs? I dunno. I started it at noon and totally forgot it takes 10 hrs to cook.
Yes I think that is a good plan.
How much garlic powder? In clip but not ingredients list. Thanks! Looks very tasty.
1 teaspoon! Thank you for letting me know.
I have also used a Dr Pepper instead of the beer