Slow Cooker Apple Cider Braised Pork

The aroma of slow-cooked pork wafting through your house is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. This recipe for Slow Cooker Apple Cider Braised Pork takes that comfort food classic to a whole new level. By combining savory pork shoulder with the sweet and tangy notes of apple cider, you get a dish that’s both incredibly flavorful and effortless to prepare.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple and Easy: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. Just throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do its magic!
Flavorful and Tender: The combination of apple cider, Dijon mustard, and fresh herbs creates a delicious and complex sauce that infuses the pork with flavor. The slow cooking process ensures the pork becomes incredibly tender and practically falls off the bone.
Versatile: This dish can be served on its own with mashed potatoes or rice, or piled high on buns for a delicious pulled pork sandwich. You can even use the leftover pork for tacos, burritos, or salads.

Recipe Breakdown

This recipe can be broken down into three main steps: searing the pork, simmering in the slow cooker, and reducing the sauce.

Searing the Pork: Searing the pork adds a depth of flavor that wouldn’t be achieved otherwise. The caramelized bits on the outside of the meat contribute to the overall richness of the dish. Don’t skip this step!
Simmering in the Slow Cooker: The slow cooker is your best friend in this recipe. Simply add the seared pork, aromatics, apple cider, and seasonings to the slow cooker and let it cook for several hours. The low and slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and the pork to become beautifully tender.
Reducing the Sauce: While the pork simmers, you’ll have some time to create a delicious sauce. After removing the pork from the slow cooker, strain the cooking liquid and discard the solids. Then, bring the liquid to a boil and simmer it down until it’s thickened and reduced. This concentrates the flavors and creates a perfect accompaniment to the pork.

Tips and Tricks

Choose the Right Cut of Pork: For this recipe, you’ll want to use a boneless pork shoulder roast. This cut of meat has a good amount of fat marbling, which helps to keep the pork moist and flavorful during the slow cooking process.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: When searing the pork, make sure you don’t crowd the pan. If you crowd the pan, the pork will steam instead of sear. This will result in less flavor development.
Apple Cider Selection: Use fresh apple cider for the best flavor. Avoid using apple cider vinegar, as it has a much sharper and more acidic taste.
Adjust the Spice Level: This recipe calls for a pinch of cayenne pepper, but you can adjust the amount to your liking. If you prefer a spicier dish, add more cayenne pepper or a few red pepper flakes.
Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can whisk in a cornstarch slurry towards the end of the reduction process. A cornstarch slurry is simply a mixture of cornstarch and water.
Leftovers: This recipe makes a great deal of pork, so you’ll likely have leftovers. The leftover pork can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Apple Cider Braised Pork is a delicious and easy recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. With its simple ingredients and minimal prep time, it’s a surefire way to impress your family and friends. So next time you’re looking for a comforting and flavorful meal, give this recipe a try!

Beyond the Recipe

This recipe is a great jumping-off point for exploring other slow cooker pork recipes. Here are a few ideas:

Swap the Apple Cider: Instead of apple cider, you could try using another type of broth, such as chicken broth or beef broth. You could also experiment with adding different fruits, such as pears or cranberries.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork: Shred the cooked pork and toss it with your favorite BBQ sauce for a delicious pulled pork sandwich.
Apple Cider Pork Tacos: Serve the shredded pork on tortillas with your favorite taco toppings, such as salsa, avocado, and sour cream.

With a little creativity, you can easily turn this Slow Cooker Apple Cider Braised Pork recipe into a variety of other delicious dishes. So get creative in the kitchen and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

389	Calories
26g	Fat
14g	Carbs
24g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 389
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 26g	33%
Saturated Fat 10g	50%
Cholesterol 97mg	32%
Sodium 127mg	6%
Total Carbohydrate 14g	5%
Dietary Fiber 0g	1%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 24g	47%
Vitamin C 3mg	3%
Calcium 36mg	3%
Iron 2mg	9%
Potassium 403mg	9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.