Slow-Cooked Pork Roast with Apple Cider
This dish involves searing pork to develop flavor and then slow-cooking it in apple cider until tender and fall-apart tender. The final dish features a rich, flavorful sauce with tender pork and a glossy, slightly thickened apple-spiced glaze, with aromas of cinnamon and fresh cider.
Equipment
- Skillet or frying pan
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 3 pounds pork shoulder or pork loin roast preferably bone-in for more flavor
- 2 cups apple cider preferably unfiltered for richer flavor
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for searing
- 1 large onion sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ground
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar optional, for balance
- to taste salt and pepper for seasoning
Instructions
- Pat the pork roast dry with paper towels and season it generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and just starting to smoke.
- Add the pork to the skillet and sear each side for about 3-4 minutes, until evenly browned and caramelized. This builds flavor and creates a nice crust.
- Transfer the seared pork to the slow cooker, and add sliced onion and minced garlic around it for extra aroma.
- Pour the apple cider over the pork, ensuring it almost covers the meat for optimal flavor infusion.
- Sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar over everything, then cover the slow cooker with the lid.
- Cook on low heat for about 8 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. The house will fill with warm, spicy aromas.
- Once cooked, carefully transfer the pork to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute.
- Meanwhile, strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat to reduce and thicken slightly, about 10 minutes, until glossy and flavorful.
- Shred or slice the pork, then return it to the slow cooker or serving platter. Drizzle the warm cider sauce over the meat for a rich, fruity finish.
- Serve the tender pork hot, spooned with the cider sauce and garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
For extra depth, you can add a splash of apple juice during cooking if the sauce becomes too thin. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and a pinch more cinnamon to taste after cooking. This dish pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.