Autumn Cider Braised Pork
This dish features pork slow-braised in apple cider, resulting in tender, fall-apart meat with a subtle sweet and tangy flavor. The pork is seared first to develop color and flavor before being slowly cooked until juicy and soft, with apples and spices added for seasonal warmth. The final dish has a glossy, saucy appearance with tender meat and soft, caramelized apples.
Equipment
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Slow cooker or crockpot
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork shoulder or pork loin cut into large chunks
- 2 cups apple cider preferably unfiltered for richer flavor
- 2 apples sweet apples (e.g., Fuji or Honeycrisp) peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ground
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the pork chunks dry with paper towels, then heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the pork pieces on all sides until they develop a deep golden-brown crust, about 8 minutes total, then transfer to your slow cooker.
- In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed, then sauté the sliced apples and a pinch of cinnamon for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften and release their sweet aroma.
- Pour the apple cider into the skillet with the apples, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the cider to slightly reduce.
- Spoon the cider and apple mixture with apples over the seared pork in the slow cooker, then sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and remaining cinnamon.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 6–8 hours until the pork is tender and easily shreds apart, and the apples are soft and caramelized.
- Once cooked, remove the pork and apples from the slow cooker, and spoon the sauce into a small saucepan. Let it simmer uncovered over medium heat for 10 minutes to thicken slightly; this intensifies the flavors and creates a glossy glaze.
- Shred the pork with two forks, then return it to the thickened sauce, stirring gently to coat the meat evenly with the flavorful cider glaze.
- Serve the tender pork along with the soft apples, spooning a generous amount of the cider sauce over the top for a cozy, seasonal dish.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a cinnamon stick during the slow cooking process and remove it before serving. You can also garnish with fresh herbs like thyme or a drizzle of honey for added warmth.