Slow Cooker Apple & Cider Pork Shoulder

Equipment

You will need a large slow cooker. If you are considering upgrading, you can
read our Crock-Pot 6.5L Slow Cooker Review, browse family-sized slow cookers on Amazon
or explore options at Tower Housewares.

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Ingredients

• 1.5–2kg pork shoulder, skin removed if preferred
• 2–3 eating apples, cored and sliced
• 2 onions, sliced
• 2–3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 500ml dry cider (you can use your favourite bottled cider, or look at apple ciders on Amazon)
• 2 tbsp Dijon or wholegrain mustard
• 2 tbsp soft brown sugar
• 1 tsp dried thyme (or a few fresh sprigs)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Brown the pork (optional but recommended).
   Heat a little oil in a pan and brown the pork shoulder on all sides. This adds extra flavour.
2. Layer the apples and onions.
   Place the sliced onions and apples in the base of your slow cooker, along with the garlic.
3. Mix the cider sauce.
   In a jug, stir together the cider, mustard, brown sugar, thyme, salt and pepper.
4. Add everything to the slow cooker.
   Put the browned pork on top of the apples and onions, then pour the cider mixture over the top.
5. Cook low and slow.
   Cook on Low for 6–8 hours, or until the pork is very tender and pulls apart easily with a fork.
6. Shred and serve.
   Lift the pork out onto a board, shred with two forks, then return it to the sauce and stir through before serving.
   Meat-shredding claws make this very quick;see shredding claws on Amazon.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is lovely piled onto creamy mashed potatoes with buttered greens, or served with roasted root vegetables
and a hunk of crusty bread. It also works well in soft rolls as a winter alternative to pulled pork.

For more ideas, explore our

Slow-Cooker Comfort Dishes for Chilly Autumn Evenings and our round-up of Festive Winter Cooking Essentials.

Leftovers

Leftover pork can be cooled quickly, refrigerated in a covered container for up to three days, or frozen for up to three months.
Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water or cider until piping hot.

You will find more slow cooker recipes and winter warmers on our
Recipes page.