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Home » Pork » Slow Cooker Hard Cider Barbecue Pork

Slow Cooker Hard Cider Barbecue Pork

by Sarah Olson on December 9, 2019 | Updated November 4, 2020 14 Comments

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collage of pulled pork images with text overlay for pinterest

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!

shredded pork in slow cooker with hard ciders in glasses on the side.

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.

Pork, brown sugar, hard cider, barbecue sauce and seasonings in front of slow cooker.

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.

pork roast with onions on top, cooked.

What can I use instead of hard cider?

  • Apple cider
  • Apple juice
  • Root Beer or Dr. Pepper
  • Water
  • Beer
shredded pork in slow cooker with buns on the side.

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.
pulled pork on bun with coleslaw and barbecue sauce

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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shredded pork with hard cider in glasses on the side.

Slow Cooker Hard Cider Barbecue Pork

5 from 4 votes
This recipe jazzes up the standard pulled pork recipe with hard cider! Great on buns or even on rice!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: hard cider pulled pork
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 hours
Total Time: 10 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 254kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

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)
US Customary – Metric

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:

 
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 can I use instead of hard cider?
  • Apple juice or cider
  • Water
  • Beer
  • Root Beer or Dr. Pepper
Nutirtional Values are calculated without buns or rice.
 
Can I freeze the leftover pork?
  • Add the cooled pork into freezer ziplock bags. Squeeze out all the excess air.
  • Freeze for up to 6 months.

Nutrition:

Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 498mg | Potassium: 471mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 106IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 2mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
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    Filed Under: Dinner, Pork Tagged With: barbecue, Crock pot, crockpot, dinner, hard cider, pulled pork, slow cooker

    Comments

    1. Lemuel says

      December 21, 2020 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      I know this website offers quality depending posts
      and additional material, is there any other web page
      which provides these things in quality?

      Reply
    2. Christi says

      December 16, 2020 at 4:13 am

      5 stars
      Awesome! Its genuinely amazing piece of writing, I have got much clear idea on the topic of from this
      article.

      Reply
    3. Alannah McBryde says

      August 31, 2019 at 9:18 am

      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.

      Reply
    4. James says

      July 30, 2019 at 1:47 pm

      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!

      Reply
    5. Steve Milkereit says

      October 20, 2018 at 4:00 pm

      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.

      Reply
    6. Ameer Taylor says

      February 8, 2018 at 4:46 pm

      i used half of the ingredients with 2lbs of meat in a smaller slow cooker. Do you think 10 hours are still fine?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 8, 2018 at 8:27 pm

        I think there is plenty of liquid, so it should be fine.

        Reply
    7. lori mcdermott says

      February 1, 2018 at 3:01 pm

      If I want to use apple cider instead of hard cider, how much apple cider should I use?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 1, 2018 at 3:48 pm

        I would do 1 1/2 cups.

        Reply
      • Grubbcandi says

        July 10, 2019 at 12:38 pm

        5 stars
        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.

        Reply
        • Sarah Olson says

          July 10, 2019 at 1:23 pm

          Yes I think that is a good plan.

          Reply
    8. Mimi says

      January 17, 2018 at 5:21 am

      How much garlic powder? In clip but not ingredients list. Thanks! Looks very tasty.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 17, 2018 at 9:07 am

        1 teaspoon! Thank you for letting me know.

        Reply
    9. Pete (female) says

      January 13, 2018 at 7:08 am

      I have also used a Dr Pepper instead of the beer

      Reply

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