Recipes | Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Apple Cider Pulled Pork
These meaty sandwiches feature tender braised shreds of pork shoulder nestled into a pillowy bun slathered with a Chipotle Apple Sauce featuring Ontario-grown Ambrosia apples. The sandwiches are rounded out with tangy pickle slices and shredded red cabbage for extra crunch.


Ingredients
Servings
- 3 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 2 tsp sweet paprika
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp dried mustard
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3-4 lbs pork shoulder
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 halved and sliced red onion
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1.5 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
For the Apple Sauce
- 2.5 lbs cored and diced Ontario-grown Ambrosia Apples
- 1 can (186 ml) chipotle peppers in adobo, pureed
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
For the Serve
- 6 hamburger buns
- Bowl shaved red cabbage
- Bowl pickle slices
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 °F.Step 2
Place the brown sugar, salt, paprika, cumin, dried mustard, and oregano in a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Sprinkle the mixture all over the pork shoulder and set it aside.Step 3
Add the onion to the pot and sauté until softened. Add the tomato paste and Dijon mustard and sauté briefly. Pour in the apple cider, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and place the pork shoulder in the center. Cover and transfer to the oven. Braise for 2-3 hours, turning the pork every hour until fall-apart tender.Step 4
While the pork is braising, make the apple sauce. Place the apples in a large pot. Add the pureed chipotle peppers, sugar, salt, and apple cider vinegar. Gently cook over low heat until the apples are very tender. About an hour.Step 5
Take the pot off of the heat and, using an immersion blender, blitz the apples until you reach the desired consistency. Add apple cider as needed to loosen the sauce up. Let cool.Step 6
Transfer the pork to a casserole dish and shred the meat using two forks. Discard any excess fat. Strain the braising liquid and pour it over the pork. Toss to coat.Step 7
Toast the hamburger buns and slather them with the apple sauce. Add the pork, pickle slices, and shredded red cabbage. Serve immediately with a salad on the side.