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Slow Cooker Apple Cider Braised Pork

Crockpot Apple Cider Braised Pork

Happy Monday! I hope your week is off to a great start!

I was really kind of hoping for a day at home today because my life is an absolute mess. I just need a day to organize my house, my thoughts, everything. But alas, we’re out of dishwasher tabs and I have no plans to handwash all the dishes today. I considered overnighting some from Amazon but then I realized how ridiculous that would be. Even for me.

And you know that once I’m out there in the wild, I’m gonna need to stop by at least a couple thrift stores to see if there’s any Pyrex in need of a good home.

I also have to go by the library and pay for the 2 books that Penelope (#idiothusky) decided to eat last week.

In other words, ugggghhhhh.

Anyway, we’re finally done with fall sports and I am incredibly grateful that we didn’t have a single game or practice that involved shivering in the snow.

But at the final football game, I heard those dreaded words. You know the ones.

“We’re gonna have our end-of-season party at…”

Just give my kid his trophy and let me go continue my life as a hermit, dangit!

But we went and I used it as an excuse to wear the new booties that I haven’t had a chance to wear yet.

The party was at Bass Pro Shops which I thought was just a store with fishing stuff but somehow serves pizza and has a bowling alley inside. And it’s, like, a really cool bowling alley with sharks coming from the ceiling and the bowling ball returner-thingies (technical term) are crocodile mouths. But it was absolute craziness for 3 hours.

And then the next morning I woke up with hives.

This is what kid parties do to me.

I decided to share this really delicious Slow Cooker Apple Cider Braised Pork with you today since it is Monday and you’re probably already dreading cooking dinner. (I am!) If you happen to have a pork roast and some cider on hand, I’ve got you covered.

I love doing pork in the slow cooker. It just turns out so tender and there’s so much you can do with it. I just made a sauce to pour over the shredded meat but you could easily mix it with a little barbecue sauce and put in on sandwiches.

 

Crockpot Apple Cider Braised Pork

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Slow Cooker Apple Cider-Braised Pork
adapted from AllRecipes magazine
Ingredients
  • 4 pound boneless pork shoulder roast trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 shallots sliced
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 1/2 cups apple cider
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons cold butter cut into pieces
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
Instructions
  1. Sprinkle pork with salt and black pepper.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sear pork until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a slow cooker.
  3. Using the same skillet, reduce heat to medium; cook shallots, stirring, until they begin to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add vinegar and cook, stirring and scraping up any browned bits, until liquid is nearly evaporated.
  4. Pour shallot mixture over pork in slow cooker. Add cider, garlic, and bay leaf. Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours until it is fork tender. Transfer roast to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
  5. Pour remaining liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a large saucepan over high heat; discard bay leaf and other solids. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook, skimming fat from top, until reduced to 1/4 original volume.
  6. Remove from heat and slowly stir in mustard and cayenne. Slowly add cold butter, whisking until each addition is incorporated. Sprinkle in thyme and season with salt and black pepper.
  7. Shred or cut pork into slices. Serve with sauce.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie | This Gal Cooks says

    I’m totally picky about how pork is cooked. I love slow smoked BBQ pork and I could eat carnitas every day for the rest of my life. Now I have a new pork recipe to try that I think I would fall in love with. Great recipe, Amanda!

    Reply

  5. Nutmeg Nanny says

    I cannot handle kids parties. I get all panicky and need to leave immediately. I think it’s all the people…and the touching. I’m always sure that kids have sticky hands and then I get grossed out and need to go bathe in Purex. I’m a werido. Obviously. What’s not weird is my strong desire to eat this pork and devour the entire dish.

    Reply

  7. Sharon says

    This looks like a great idea for supper this week! Love finding ways to use the slow cooker to make amazing meals that the family can enjoy!

    Reply

  9. Donna Elick says

    Kids parties drive me nuts, I would much rather be at home in my cocoon (especially while everyone is sick). I am forever telling my 4 year old, no hugging, kissing or touching. “But, mommy what if they want to ‘high five me’.” I told her, give them an elbow and say ‘it’s flu season’. I know I am a nut. LOL

    But serious, Amanda I love pork and apples. Not to mention my slow cooker that now has a permanent place on my counter. This sounds crazy good.

    Reply

  10. Paula says

    Ok, wait, Bass Pro shops have pizza and kids parties? We don’t even have one here in Nowhereland, but my boys HAVE to go and spend forever in one when we’re on vacation.

    I love using my slow-cooker for pork, I like the apple cider flavors you used in this. Def trying, great recipe Amanda.

    Reply

  11. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    I feel you sister on needing a day to organize the house, my thoughts, everything. UGH. Until then, you have this fabulous slow cooker apple cider braised pork. . which sounds amazingly fabulous right now!!!! love and looks so good!!!! Pinned!!

    Reply

  13. Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says

    I love that moment where overnighting dishwasher tabs makes sense. My specialty is going to the grocery store for one thing and returning home with $75 worth of impulse buys that do not include what I went for – I kid you not, I did that last week. Stupid mollasses!!

    Your braised pork recipe looks like my kind of comfort food. I bet it smells awesome while it’s cooking…

    Reply

    • amanda says

      I feel you. I went to Target for the dang dishwasher tabs and sparkling water and somehow spent $139! I guess I should be glad I remembered to pick up what I went for!

      Reply

  15. Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says

    Hahahaha! Comic relief = your blog!!! Overnighting dishwasher tabs would have been pretty funny though. I wish everything could be overnight-ed because I pretty much hate going out somedays and it feels like there is always something to get or some errand to run. And I only have 1 kid!! I absolutely love apple cider – and you are right pulled pork is super tender. I need to try this soon!

    Reply

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