{
  "attribution": {
    "author": "Flavor Folio",
    "publisher": "Flavor Folio"
  },
  "canonicalURL": "https://flavorfolio.app/recipes/slow-cooker-apple-cider-pulled-pork-sandwiches-apple-slaw",
  "format": "flavorfolio.recipe",
  "image": {
    "alt": "A pulled pork sandwich piled high with saucy shredded pork and creamy cabbage and carrot slaw on a soft white bun",
    "credit": "Photo: \"Homemade pulled pork and homemade coleslaw\" by Ruth Hartnup (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruthanddave/18863758842/), licensed CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Homemade_pulled_pork_and_homemade_coleslaw_(18863758842).jpg. Resized.",
    "height": 1095,
    "kind": "photograph",
    "smallWidth": 600,
    "url": "https://flavorfolio.app/media/1d3f25e8-058b-4ad5-8052-06094217797a/1536.jpg",
    "width": 1536
  },
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-25T00:00:00Z",
  "recipe": {
    "categories": [
      "Dinner",
      "Lunch"
    ],
    "cookMinutes": 495,
    "cuisine": "American",
    "difficulty": "easy",
    "ingredients": [
      {
        "item": "packed light brown sugar",
        "quantity": "2",
        "unit": "tbsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "smoked paprika",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tbsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "kosher salt",
        "note": "for the rub",
        "quantity": "2",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "black pepper",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "garlic powder",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "onion powder",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "ground mustard",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "cayenne pepper",
        "note": "use 1/2 tsp if you like heat",
        "quantity": "1/4",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt)",
        "note": "excess fat trimmed, cut into 4 large chunks",
        "quantity": "4",
        "unit": "lb"
      },
      {
        "item": "yellow onion",
        "note": "thickly sliced",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "large"
      },
      {
        "item": "garlic",
        "note": "smashed",
        "quantity": "4",
        "unit": "cloves"
      },
      {
        "item": "apple cider",
        "note": "unfiltered, not apple cider vinegar",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "cup"
      },
      {
        "item": "apple cider vinegar",
        "note": "for the pork",
        "quantity": "2",
        "unit": "tbsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "barbecue sauce",
        "note": "plus more for serving",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "cup"
      },
      {
        "item": "shredded green cabbage",
        "note": "or one 14-oz bag coleslaw mix, skip the carrots if it includes them",
        "quantity": "4",
        "unit": "cups"
      },
      {
        "item": "shredded carrots",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "cup"
      },
      {
        "item": "Honeycrisp apple",
        "note": "cored and cut into thin matchsticks",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "medium"
      },
      {
        "item": "mayonnaise",
        "quantity": "1/3",
        "unit": "cup"
      },
      {
        "item": "apple cider vinegar",
        "note": "for the slaw",
        "quantity": "2",
        "unit": "tbsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "honey",
        "quantity": "1",
        "unit": "tbsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "celery seed",
        "quantity": "1/2",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "kosher salt",
        "note": "for the slaw",
        "quantity": "1/4",
        "unit": "tsp"
      },
      {
        "item": "brioche or potato buns",
        "note": "or 24 slider rolls, split",
        "quantity": "10"
      },
      {
        "item": "dill pickle chips",
        "note": "optional, for serving"
      }
    ],
    "keywords": [
      "slow cooker pulled pork",
      "crockpot pulled pork",
      "apple cider pulled pork",
      "easy pulled pork recipe",
      "pulled pork sandwiches",
      "pulled pork sliders",
      "pulled pork with coleslaw",
      "apple slaw",
      "halloween party food",
      "halloween dinner for a crowd",
      "game day food",
      "fall slow cooker recipes",
      "make ahead party food",
      "pork shoulder recipe"
    ],
    "prepMinutes": 30,
    "servings": 10,
    "steps": [
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 3,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          0,
          1,
          2,
          3,
          4,
          5,
          6,
          7
        ],
        "instruction": "In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, 2 tsp kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard and cayenne."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 5,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          8
        ],
        "instruction": "Pat the pork chunks dry with paper towels and rub the spice mix all over them, pressing it into every side."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 3,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          9,
          10
        ],
        "instruction": "Scatter the sliced onion and smashed garlic in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Set the pork on top in a single layer."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 2,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          11,
          12
        ],
        "instruction": "Whisk the apple cider with 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar and pour it around the pork (not over it, so the rub stays put)."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 480,
        "instruction": "Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender and shreds easily with a fork (about 195 to 205°F inside). Don't lift the lid during the first several hours."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 10,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          17,
          18,
          19,
          20,
          21,
          14,
          15,
          16
        ],
        "instruction": "Make the apple slaw at least 30 minutes before serving: whisk the mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, honey, celery seed and 1/4 tsp salt in a large bowl. Add the cabbage, carrots and apple matchsticks, toss well and refrigerate until serving."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 10,
        "instruction": "Move the pork to a large bowl or cutting board and shred it with two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat. Strain the cooking liquid and skim off the fat from the top, saving the onions."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 15,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          13
        ],
        "instruction": "Return the shredded pork and onions to the slow cooker. Stir in 1 cup barbecue sauce and about 1/2 cup of the skimmed cooking liquid, adding more liquid if it looks dry. Cover and keep warm on LOW for 15 minutes so the pork soaks up the sauce."
      },
      {
        "estimatedMinutes": 5,
        "ingredientIndexes": [
          22,
          23
        ],
        "instruction": "Toast the buns cut-side down in a dry skillet or under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes. Pile on the pulled pork, top with apple slaw and pickle chips, add an extra drizzle of barbecue sauce if you like, and serve."
      }
    ],
    "summary": "Easy crockpot pulled pork for a crowd: pork shoulder rubbed with smoky brown sugar spices, slow-cooked in apple cider until fall-apart tender, tossed in barbecue sauce and piled on toasted buns with a crisp Honeycrisp apple slaw. Perfect for Halloween parties, game day and make-ahead dinners.",
    "tags": [
      "Slow Cooker",
      "Pulled Pork",
      "Pork",
      "Sandwiches",
      "Fall",
      "Halloween",
      "Game Day",
      "Crowd Pleaser",
      "Make Ahead",
      "Apples"
    ],
    "title": "Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Crunchy Apple Slaw",
    "totalMinutes": 540
  },
  "recipeID": "3471dada-4112-4a40-865b-00f5740d45f7",
  "revision": 1,
  "schemaVersion": 1,
  "updatedAt": "2026-10-25T12:06:04.402265Z"
}