This recipe for crockpot pulled pork is so easy to make that you can just set it and forget about it. It always tastes great. Apple juice, a mixture of bold seasonings and barbecue sauce make this fall-apart pulled pork irresistible.
Pull pork in the crock pot is as easy as it gets! It only takes a few simple steps and always turns out great. This is the definition of foolproof!.
For a really great sandwich, I love putting this slow cooker pulled pork on top of a homemade hamburger bun with coleslaw and homemade BBQ sauce. However, it’s great a number of different ways – scroll down to the serving suggestions for more ideas.
No matter how you choose to enjoy this bbq pulled pork recipe, you’re going to be obsessed!
Sarah said, “Oh my gosh, this is so good! We used Sweet Baby Ray’s honey BBQ sauce and it was SO FREAKING GOOD!”
Juicy, tender pulled pork is a crowdpleasing barbecue staple. While classic BBQ sauce delivers iconic sweet and tangy flavor, many pitmasters are branching out with creative new cooking liquids Apple juice has emerged as a popular alternative that can take your pulled pork to the next level
But is apple juice truly the right choice for your next pork shoulder? Let’s explore the pros and cons of using this fruity liquid to find out if it belongs in your pulled pork recipe rotation.
Why Cook Pulled Pork in Apple Juice?
Replacing some or all of the barbecue sauce with apple juice offers several advantages:
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Natural sweetness – The subtle sugars in apple juice caramelize to form a delicious browned crust on the meat. This adds both flavor and texture.
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Tenderizing effect – The juice’s acidity helps break down tough pork collagen into melt-in-your-mouth gelatin.
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Moisture – Apple juice keeps pork shoulder meat juicy and prevents drying out
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Smoke enhancement – As juice evaporates during cooking, smoke particles are caught, boosting smoky flavor.
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Fruitiness – Tart apple flavor cuts through rich pork for balance and pairs wonderfully.
With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why cooking with apple juice is worth considering for your next pulled pork recipe.
Choosing the Right Apple Juice
Not all apple juices work equally well for cooking. To unlock the full flavor and tenderizing power of apple juice, choose:
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100% pure juice – Avoid added sugars or diluting fillers like water.
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Unsweetened – The natural apple flavor should shine without extra sweeteners.
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No preservatives – Additives can create an artificial taste.
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Fresh, not from concentrate – Concentrating removes volatile aromatics.
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Cloudy, unfiltered juice – Leaves in apple solids for fuller body and flavor.
With the right juice, you can let the apple goodness infuse the pork as it slowly transforms from tough to tender.
How to Cook Pulled Pork with Apple Juice
Apple juice pulled pork adapts well to any cooking method. Here are some easy ways to incorporate it:
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Slow cooker – Cover pork shoulder with apple juice and cook 8-10 hours on low.
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Oven – Braise pork in apple juice in a covered roasting pan at 300°F for 4+ hours.
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Pressure cooker – Combine pork and apple juice and cook under pressure for 60-90 minutes.
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Smoker – Spritz pork with apple juice every hour while smoking low and slow.
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Grill – Use apple juice instead of water in foil packet or baste pork with it.
Aim to use around 1-2 cups of juice per 3-5 pounds of pork to achieve full flavor and moisture. Pork is done when it shreds easily with a fork.
Signature Apple Juice Pulled Pork Recipes
These recipes highlight apple juice’s talent for delivering tender, juicy pulled pork with a subtly sweet twist:
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- 5 pound pork shoulder
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 1⁄4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- Coat pork with brown sugar, Worcestershire, and salt.
- Pour apple juice in slow cooker. Add pork.
- Cook 8-10 hours on low until fork tender.
- Shred and serve!
Apple Juice Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- 3 pounds pork shoulder
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1⁄2 cup cider vinegar
- 1⁄4 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 6 buns
- BBQ slaw
- Combine all ingredients except pork, buns, and slaw in a bowl.
- Put pork in slow cooker and pour mixture over.
- Cook 8 hours on low.
- Shred pork and mix with sauce.
- Serve on buns with slaw.
Tips for Pulling Off Perfect Apple Juice Pulled Pork
To get ideal results when cooking with apple juice:
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Use a fatty cut like shoulder for moisture and flavor.
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Cook low and slow – apple juice needs time to penetrate and tenderize.
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Generously season pork – apple juice won’t make up for blandness.
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Finish with barbecue sauce for sticky texture and color contrast.
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Let pork rest before shredding so juices redistribute.
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Mix shredded pork with sauce and cooking juices to moisten.
Apple Juice Pulled Pork – Worth the Hype?
While untraditional, apple juice clearly has a lot to offer pulled pork in terms of tenderizing power, moisture, and balanced sweet-tart flavor. With the right techniques, you can achieve tasty and texturally perfect pulled pork with this fruity cooking liquid.
If you’re seeking new dimensions of flavor, apple juice pulled pork is definitely worth brewing up. Just be sure to select a quality juice and take the time to let it properly infuse the pork. Your patience will be rewarded with irresistibly juicy, fruity pulled pork sandwiches and beyond!
Crockpot Pulled Pork Ingredients:
- For pulled pork, I always use a pork loin or shoulder that doesn’t have any bones. A shoulder will have more fat, but I find that this slow cooker recipe keeps the leaner pork loin nice and juicy!
- Apple juice: Soda (like Dr. Pepper) also works if preferred.
- BBQ sauce: If you want to go the extra mile, make your own Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce!
- Spices: To make this pulled pork recipe taste great, all you need is a mix of Italian seasoning, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Why we love it:
- Pull pork is a classic dish that everyone in the family loves, even picky eaters. It’s a great way to make sure that everyone gets enough protein.
- Lower stress: Making dinner doesn’t have to be hard when you can just turn on the crockpot and let it do everything.
- Cheap—Yes! We love a good recipe that doesn’t break the bank, especially one that’s as filling as this one. It’s best to spend a little and serve a lot.
- Soft and tasty—it melts in your mouth soft and shreds so easily! It tastes great thanks to a garlic herb rub that I also use on my slow cooker pork loin recipe.
Traeger Apple Juice Brined Pulled Pork
FAQ
What is the best liquid to cook pulled pork in?
What does apple juice do to pork?
Should pulled pork be cooked in liquid?
What liquid keeps pulled pork moist?
Why is apple juice good for pulled pork?
Moisture: Apple juice can help keep the pork moist during the cooking process, preventing it from drying out. Flavor: The natural apple flavor in the juice can infuse into the meat, enhancing the overall taste of the pulled pork.
Is apple sauce a good replace for a whole apple?
Both are a good source of dietary fiber however whole apple has slightly more fiber than apple sauce. 100 gram apple sauce has 1. 2 gram of dietary fiber and 100 gram of whole apple has 2. 4 gram of fiber.
Can you use apple cider vinegar & apple juice for pulled pork?
Yes, you can use a combination of apple cider vinegar and apple juice as a spray for pulled pork during the cooking process. This mixture can add both tanginess and sweetness to the meat, creating a flavorful and well-rounded taste.
Can You crockpot apple juice pulled pork?
This crockpot apple juice pulled pork is incredibly delicious and easy to make in the crockpot / slow cooker. Heat the oil in a large skillet, then fry the roast until browned. Place in the bottom of a crockpot. Place the onion around the roast. Whisk together the rest of the ingredients, then pour over the roast.