Description
Pioneer Woman’s slow cooker pulled pork delivers mouthwatering Southern comfort straight to your plate. Succulent, tender meat soaked in rich barbecue sauce promises a hearty meal that brings family and friends together around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 5–6 pounds (2.3–2.7 kilograms) bone-in pork shoulder roast
Spices and Seasonings:
- 4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 6 cloves garlic
Aromatics and Liquid:
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 8 sprigs of thyme
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) apple cider
Instructions
- Meticulously trim the pork shoulder, maintaining a thin 1/4-inch (6 millimeters) fat layer. Create precise 12 incisions across the meat’s surface and delicately insert half a garlic clove into each strategic cut.
- Craft a robust seasoning blend by whisking together kosher salt, dark brown sugar, ground mustard, and freshly cracked black pepper in a ceramic mixing bowl. Massage this aromatic rub comprehensively over the entire pork surface, ensuring complete coverage. Position the seasoned meat in the slow cooker with the fat layer facing downward.
- Arrange thinly sliced onions and fragrant thyme sprigs symmetrically around the pork’s perimeter inside the slow cooker. Carefully pour 1 cup (236 milliliters) of crisp apple cider into the vessel, taking exceptional care to preserve the seasoning coating.
- Securely place the slow cooker lid, setting the temperature to high for 6 hours or low for 8 to 10 hours. The pork should reach an ultra-tender consistency where it effortlessly separates with minimal fork pressure.
- Extract and discard the wilted thyme sprigs. Using two sturdy forks, methodically shred the meat into delectable bite-sized morsels, integrating the caramelized onions and rich cooking liquid for maximum flavor distribution.
- Toast pretzel rolls until golden and crisp. Generously spread Dijon mustard across each roll’s interior surface. Heap substantial portions of the succulent pulled pork and caramelized onions into the prepared rolls, creating an irresistible sandwich.
Notes
- Elevate your pulled pork with a personalized touch by swapping traditional onions for sweet Vidalia or zesty red varieties, creating unique flavor dimensions.
- Flexible cooking times make this recipe a lifesaver for busy home cooks, seamlessly fitting into both hectic weeknight schedules and leisurely weekend gatherings.
- Strategic garlic clove insertion guarantees deep flavor penetration, ensuring each succulent bite bursts with robust, well-distributed seasoning.
- Caramelizing brown sugar in the rub transforms the meat’s exterior into a moisture-locking, subtly sweet masterpiece that tantalizes taste buds.
- Tangy apple cider works magic as a tenderizing liquid, gently infusing the pork with complex, fruity undertones that elevate the entire dish.
- Transform ordinary sandwiches by nestling pulled pork between pretzel rolls, introducing a delightfully salty and hearty bread experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg