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Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Cider Pork

This dish features pork cooked slowly with apple cider, sliced apples, and warming spices such as cinnamon. The result is tender, fall-apart pork with a fragrant, sweet-savoury sauce and a slightly caramelized exterior, served with soft chunks of cooked apples and a rich, flavorful gravy.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds pork shoulder or pork roast bone-in or boneless
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 3 apples firmer apples (like Fuji or Honeycrisp) sliced
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon ground or sticks (if sticks, break into smaller pieces)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for searing
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Skillet
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Tongs or spatula

Method
 

  1. Pat the pork dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, and sear the pork on all sides until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side. This develops flavor and locks in juices.
  3. Remove the pork from the skillet and place it in the slow cooker.
  4. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Pour in the apple cider and bring to a simmer, then cook for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
  5. Pour the cider mixture over the pork in the slow cooker.
  6. Add the sliced apples and sprinkle with cinnamon over the pork and cider mixture.
  7. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours, until the pork is tender and falling apart.
  8. Once cooked, remove the pork and let it rest for a few minutes, then shred it with two forks.
  9. Meanwhile, transfer the cooking liquid and apples to a saucepan and simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly to a flavorful gravy.
  10. Taste the gravy and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or a touch of honey if desired.
  11. Serve the tender shredded pork topped with the warm apple cider gravy and cooked apples, accompanying with your favorite sides.