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Best Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork Sliders

Best Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork Sliders - featured image
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These slow cooker apple cider pulled pork sliders are the ultimate emergency crowd-pleaser. With a sweet and tangy apple cider twist, this set-it-and-forget-it recipe is perfect for game day, parties, or any night you need a delicious, low-stress meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (also called pork butt)
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls recommended)
  • 1 cup coleslaw mix (optional)
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • Butter for toasting buns

Instructions

  1. Prep the pork shoulder (5 minutes): Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Trim any large chunks of excess fat, but leave some. Cut the pork into 3-4 large chunks if needed.
  2. Make the spice rub (3 minutes): In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Rub this mixture all over the pork shoulder pieces.
  3. Build the cooking liquid (2 minutes): Pour apple cider and apple cider vinegar into the bottom of your slow cooker. Add Dijon mustard and whisk together. Drop in the bay leaves.
  4. Start the cook (10 seconds): Place the seasoned pork shoulder pieces into the slow cooker. Put the lid on.
  5. Cook low and slow: Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until fork-tender.
  6. Shred the pork (5 minutes): Remove pork from slow cooker, discard bay leaves. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
  7. Finish in the juices (2 minutes): Return shredded pork to slow cooker, stir in BBQ sauce. Let sit in warm juices for 10-15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  8. Toast the buns (5 minutes): Preheat oven to 350°F. Split slider buns, arrange cut-side up on a baking sheet. Brush with melted butter. Toast for 3-5 minutes until golden.
  9. Assemble the sliders (5 minutes): Spoon pulled pork onto bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with coleslaw mix if using. Add top bun and press gently.

Notes

For extra flavor, sear the pork shoulder in a hot skillet before adding to the slow cooker. Don’t skip toasting the buns. Adjust seasoning to taste. Leftovers keep for up to 5 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker pulled pork, apple cider pulled pork, pulled pork sliders, game day recipe, crowd-pleaser, easy dinner, pork shoulder recipe

Find it online: https://evabake.com/best-slow-cooker-apple-cider-pulled-pork-sliders/