Craving a meal that practically cooks itself? This Zesty Honey-Mustard Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork is your ticket to effortless culinary success. With a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors, it's a crowd-pleaser any day of the week.
The star of the show is the pork shoulder. Its marbled fat ensures moist, tender meat after hours of slow cooking. The honey adds a natural sweetness that balances the tang of the Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar. A touch of brown sugar deepens the sweetness and helps caramelize the edges of the pork. For a smoky, savory depth, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder come into play. A bit of salt and black pepper enhances all these flavors, while cayenne pepper brings a subtle heat. The chicken broth adds moisture, and liquid smoke ties the smoky flavors together.
This pulled pork is incredibly versatile. Serve it on toasted brioche buns with a side of coleslaw for a classic pulled pork sandwich. Alternatively, try it over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice. For a lighter option, pile it into lettuce wraps with some pickled onions and shredded cabbage.
Start by preparing your pork shoulder. Trim away any excess fat to avoid a greasy finish and pat it dry with paper towels. This helps the spice mixture adhere better.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar until smooth. Then, stir in the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. This creates a flavorful paste that will infuse the pork with all those delicious flavors.
Place the pork shoulder in your slow cooker and pour the honey mustard mixture over it. Use your hands or a spoon to make sure the pork is thoroughly coated.
Next, pour the chicken broth around the pork in the slow cooker. Add in the liquid smoke to enhance the smokiness without needing a smoker.
Cover the slow cooker and set it to low. Let it cook for 8-10 hours. You'll know it's done when the pork is tender enough to be easily shredded with a fork.
Once cooked, carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred it on a large cutting board or in a bowl. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it into the remaining sauce to soak up all that flavor.
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