Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork

Name: Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 475 min
Total time: 490 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup apple cider vinegar; 2 teaspoons black pepper; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ cup honey; 1 onion, peeled and halved; 3 tablespoons paprika; 3 to 3½ pounds pork shoulder, cut in half; 1 tablespoon salt

Recipe GLPRd67e1f9af8d296

American

Main Course

490 min

706 cal

Servings: 6

Slow Cooker

SNAP eligible

Tender, juicy pulled pork infused with a perfect balance of sweet honey and spicy cayenne. The pork shoulder cooks low and slow with garlic, onion, and a savory spice blend, then is shredded until fork-tender. Perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or served over rice.

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Ingredients

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons black pepper

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ cup honey

1 onion, peeled and halved

3 tablespoons paprika

3 to 3½ pounds pork shoulder, cut in half

1 tablespoon salt

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together the paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Stir in the honey and apple cider vinegar until well combined to form a paste-like marinade.
Place the halved onion at the bottom of your slow cooker, creating a bed for the pork.
Lay the pork shoulder pieces directly on top of the onion and scatter the minced garlic over the meat.
Spread half of the spice mixture evenly over the pork pieces. Flip each piece over and coat the other side with the remaining spice mixture.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours, then on low for an additional 4 hours. Alternatively, cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. The pork is done when it is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
Using tongs, carefully remove the cooked pork pieces from the slow cooker and place on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the pork by pulling it apart into thin strands. Alternatively, place the warm pork in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium-low speed until the desired shredded consistency is reached. Discard any excess fat if desired, and return the shredded pork to the slow cooker to warm in the remaining sauce before serving.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4.5

Every ingredient is a staple at every Charlotte chain—apple cider vinegar, spices, garlic, onion, and pork shoulder cost under $15 total for six servings, roughly $2.50 per plate. The stated 490 minutes is honest: eight hours of active cooking plus prep and final shredding, though the actual hands-on time is minimal. This is a genuine weeknight win for families because the slow cooker runs unattended, it reheats beautifully for lunches, and a pork shoulder is forgiving enough that slight timing shifts don't ruin it; the only small drawback is that the spice profile is generic rather than tied to North Carolina's barbecue traditions, and you need to plan a full day ahead.