Applesauce Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Printable)

Slow-cooked pork shoulder with applesauce and apple cider, shredded and served on soft buns for a sweet-savory meal.

# What You Need:

→ Pork

01 - 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder or pork butt, trimmed
02 - 1.5 tsp kosher salt
03 - 1 tsp black pepper
04 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon

→ Sauce

06 - 1.5 cups unsweetened applesauce
07 - 1 cup apple cider
08 - 0.25 cup brown sugar
09 - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
10 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
11 - 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
12 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ To Serve

13 - 6 sandwich buns
14 - 1 cup coleslaw, optional
15 - Extra applesauce or barbecue sauce, optional

# How-To:

01 - Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Season all sides evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and ground cinnamon.
02 - Place the sliced onion and minced garlic in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
03 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together unsweetened applesauce, apple cider, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
04 - Place the seasoned pork on top of the onion and garlic in the slow cooker. Pour the applesauce sauce mixture evenly over the pork, ensuring it is fully coated.
05 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 hours, or until the pork is very tender and shreds easily with a fork.
06 - Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces, discarding any large pieces of fat.
07 - Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid in the slow cooker using a spoon. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix thoroughly with the sauce until well combined.
08 - Serve the pulled pork warm on sandwich buns. Top with coleslaw and additional applesauce or barbecue sauce if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day, no babysitting required.
  • Applesauce keeps the pork incredibly moist and adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory spices without tasting like dessert.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, making this perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd without stress.
02 -
  • Don't skip patting the pork dry before seasoning, moisture prevents the spices from adhering and you'll lose that flavorful crust.
  • Resist the urge to lift the slow cooker lid during cooking, every peek releases heat and adds 15 to 20 minutes to your cook time.
  • If the sauce seems thin after shredding, let the pork sit uncovered on warm for 20 minutes to thicken naturally.
03 -
  • Sear the pork shoulder in a hot skillet before adding it to the slow cooker for deeper color and a richer, more complex flavor.
  • Add a tablespoon of tomato paste to the sauce if you want a thicker consistency and a subtle umami boost.
  • Toast your sandwich buns lightly in butter or on a grill to keep them from getting soggy under all that saucy pork.
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