These slow cooker BBQ apple pulled pork sandwiches are topped with a sage apple carrot raisin slaw. All the flavors of fall explode in your mouth with each bite.
It’s been pretty well documented on here (and evidenced by the whopping 6 recipes in my slow cooker section) that I’m not the best at fully utilizing the convenience of my slow cooker.
I’ve been trying harder though lately. This slow cooker tri-tip recipe as evidence of that.
I figure if this thing is going to take up as much space as it does, I might as well put it to use.
Funny enough, I actually got the opportunity to work on 5 freelance photography recipes last month all made in the slow cooker.
Only problem was they were all things like breads, pizza and brownies which required less than 2 hours of cooking, at least 30 minutes inactive time before even going in the slow cooker and a decent amount of hands on prep before that!
Um…last I checked all of those things sort of defeat the purpose of the appliance to begin with.
A simple, easy ingredient list dinner is what the slow cooker should be all about and these BBQ apple pulled pork sandwiches are just that.
ps- if BBQ pork is your thing, don’t miss these bbq pulled pork nachos.
I have a hard time not adding BBQ sauce to anything that goes in the slow cooker because I love it’s smoky sweetness but the star of this particular pulled pork is the apples.
Cooked for 6 hours with the onions, they give the pork a slightly sweet taste but then also shine through with their tart crispness in the slaw.
Speaking of the slaw, I beg you not to skip it thinking you can save a few minutes, it seriously makes the sandwich. It’s everything fall is about in a creamy sweet tangy bite and complements the pork just perfectly.
Bone-in pork shoulder (or pork butt) is one of my favorite cuts of meat to cook low and slow. The longer it goes, the more succulent it gets and practically just falls off the bone by the end. It’s why smoked pork butt is one of the most tender, delicious recipes you can make!
It’s one of the simplest and most forgiving cuts out there and a perfect match for the slow cooker and cooler fall temps.
MORE PORK RECIPES TO TRY:
Mexican pulled pork sliders
Hawaiian pulled pork BBQ enchilada stacks
Pickled Pineapple BBQ Pork Sandwiches
Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Apple Carrot Slaw
Ingredients
For the Pork:
- 4-5 pound bone-in pork shoulder
- 2 apples, peeled and chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- salt and pepper
- 6 sandwich buns
For the Apple Carrot Slaw:
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chopped sage
- 1 carrot, grated
- 1/2 apple, cut into matchsticks
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
Instructions
- Place the apples and onions in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Place the pork on top of the apples and onions and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Add the cumin, cinnamon and BBQ sauce to the slow cooker on top of the pork, cover and cook on high for 6 hours until the pork is falling off the bone.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred the meat using two forks. Place the pulled pork back in the slow cooker and toss with the apples, onions and accumulated juices.
- Make the apple carrot slaw by whisking together the mayonnaise, yogurt, honey mustard, salt, pepper and rice vinegar in a medium bowl.
- Add the sage, carrots, apples and raisins to the bowl and toss to coat in the dressing.
- Pile the pork on a bun and top with slaw.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
I hear ya – the slow cooker category on my own blog is sorely lacking. I think it’s because I have to keep my slow cooker in the basement due to lack of kitchen space. So it truly is an “out of sight, out of mind” thing.
I love how you put just as much care into making a creative and flavorful coleslaw as you did making the savory pork. This recipe is fantastic!
The flavors in this recipe are brilliant – loving the slaw! So so good!
Oh the slow cooker! Not as forgiving…but so much easier! But if I could have these babies come out of the slow cooker I wouldn’t mind whipping it out every weekend!
Pulled pork is the right way to use a slow cooker! No weird pizzas or bread for me ;) These sandwiches look delicious and I LOVE the look of that crunchy slaw…yum!
These are calling my name. The slaw is so perfect – cannot wait to try them.
Aww the magical slow cooker! I don’t use mine enough either.. it certainly needs a permanent spot on the counter, right now it lives on top of the cupboards :)
I actually use my crockpot a lot because it is way too hot in Phoenix to use the oven in the summer. The crockpot keeps the kitchen so much cooler. Love this recipe!
So apparently I need 2 slow cookers because both you and Brandy posted incredible pulled pork recipes today and I can’t choose which one I want to make! Love that you put slaw on top of these sandwiches, just how pulled pork should be!
We are all so glad you busted out the slow cooker because holy moly those look awesome!
I am like you. I think I have 4 recipes in my slow cooker archives. It actually scares me to use it to develop recipes, because I understand the oven so much better!
BUT I’m glad you broke it out for these because I’m craving this pork and apple goodness for lunch! Pinned!