Slow cooker maple pulled pork has deliciously subtle maple flavors, a touch of spice from chili powder, and tangy apple cider vinegar. With only 6 ingredients, you can get it on to cook in 10 minutes or less. I'm sharing three recipes that you can use your pork in, making this perfect for meal prep!
One of the most efficient ways to meal prep is to bulk cook a batch of protein, then use it up in multiple meals through the week. I'm showing you how to cook this slow cooker maple pulled pork, and you can use your leftovers in maple pork tacos with brussels sprouts slaw, maple pork and butternut squash burritos and fall burrito bowls with sweet potatoes!
Maple pulled pork is slightly different than traditional pulled pork; with subtle maple flavors, a touch of chili powder, and tangy apple cider vinegar. It isn't overly 'saucy' (if you want a saucy pulled pork check out my Crock Pot Pulled Pork), but it is simple and delicious.
6 simple ingredients makes this easy to get into the slow cooker, and it makes a big batch, meaning you can have a head start on multiple dinners!
Reasons you'll ♡ slow cooker maple pulled pork
- it's simple to prepare and you can get it cooking quickly
- it makes a big batch and works as the base for multiple dinners
- it's fridge and freezer friendly
The best cut of pork
The slow cooker presents the perfect opportunity to cook cheap, tough cuts of meat. A long simmering time is required to break down tough collagen fibres in these cuts of meat, and you are rewarded with juicy and tender pork.
Pork shoulder is a great choice as it has plenty of connective tissues and fats. You can use boneless or bone-in pork shoulder, though I prefer boneless as it makes the shredding step even easier.
Pork shoulder comes in two cuts: boston butt and pork picnic. Typically the pork butt is recommended as it is more even in size, however I have successfully used a pork picnic to make pulled pork, and we all enjoyed it!
Ingredients required
Maple pulled pork is simplicity at it's best. Here's what you'll need:
- maple syrup- sweetens the pork slightly and adds cooking liquid to help cook the pork through
- apple cider vinegar- adds a tangy flavor contrast to the sweet maple syrup, while providing additional cooking liquid
- onion- adds extra dimension to the pulled pork, but can be omitted
- chili powder- not to be confused with pure powdered chilis, this is a chili spice blend. It adds a mild spice and extra flavor to the recipe
- salt- enhances flavors of all ingredients and seasons the pork through while it cooks
Recipe tips
- the easiest way to shred the cooked pork: transfer cooked pork to a clean bowl, and use an electric hand mixer to shred it in seconds
- do not discard the cooking liquid; toss the pork in it after shredding to keep it juicy and flavorful
- crisp it up: spread the shredded pork on a baking sheet and cover with 1 cup of cooking liquid. Broil for 5-10 minutes, until crispy
- I use this 6 quart slow cooker and highly recommend it
- I have not tested this particular recipe in the Instant Pot but think it would work. I would try high pressure for 90 minutes followed by a 10 minute. natural pressure release. If you try, would you leave us a comment to let us know how it went for you?
Prep ahead for easy dinners
Slow cooker maple pulled pork is absolutely perfect for meal prep! Here are some tips to help:
- reheat- store in the fridge for up to 4 days. I recommend reheating in a frying pan with some of the cooking liquid for 5-10 minutes until loosened up and warmed through
- freezer- this recipe freezes great after cooking. Portion out in a meal prep container, reusable silicone bag, or heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- crockpot freezer- this recipe can work as a freezer crockpot meal: combine all ingredients in a meal prep container, reusable silicone bag, or heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to cook, thaw completely before dumping into the slow cooker and cooking on low for 8 hours.
How to use pulled pork
One batch of pulled pork can make between 4-8 cups, depending on the size of your pork shoulder. This means it's a great protein to bulk cook and use in multiple meals through the week.
Here are some recipes you can use pulled pork in:
- on a bun with a quick cabbage slaw
- in a Pulled Pork Meal Prep Bowl
- in Pulled Pork Enchiladas
- in Tacos with Kale & Brussels Sprouts Slaw
- in Pulled Pork Burrito Bowls
- in Pulled Pork Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- in a Pulled Pork Sweet Potato Skillet
More slow cooker recipes:
- 7 Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Recipes
- Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Stew
- Slow Cooker Honey Lime Shredded Chicken
- Slow Cooker Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
- Smoky Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Slow Cooker Maple Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 2-3 lb Pork Shoulder (boneless pork butt is a great option)
- ½ onion (sliced)
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
Instructions
- Place onion slices on the bottom of slow cooker.
- Place pork shoulder on top.
- Whisk together the maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, salt and chili powder.
- Pour over the pork.
- Cook on low for 8 hours, or until pork is fall-apart tender.
- Remove pork from slow cooker and place in a large bowl (reserve cooking liquid). Shred with two forks or an electric hand mixer. Toss with cooking liquid to taste (I used at least half of the cooking liquid).
Notes
- combine all ingredients in a meal prep container, reusable silicone bag, or heavy-duty freezer bag.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- When you are ready to cook, thaw completely before dumping into the slow cooker and cooking on low for 8 hours.
Sabrina S.
This was AMAZING. I made this for my mom and dad and they both said it’s the best pork they ever had. It was the perfect amount of sweet to savory and the onions added to the amazing taste. I will definitely be making this again. It was also SO EASY. This is such a great recipe.
Denise Bustard
Wow! That's a huge compliment! Thanks so much for reporting back, Sabrina!
Marly
Could you do this in the instant pot? What would be the cooking time?
Denise
Yes! I made this in the IP a few months ago and was meaning to update the info. It depends on the size of your pork shoulder; for smaller 2lb pork shoulders, 60 minutes was fine but for larger I had to go for 90 minutes. Here's a newer pulled pork recipe that I also make in the IP: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/instant-pot-pulled-pork-recipe/
Denise
Hi Missy! I see a lot of pork tenderloin recipes cook on low for 8 hours so I think you could do the same with this recipe. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Kelly
Hello, just wondering if you use real maple syrup or if you could use other, like pancake syrup? Thanks
Denise
Hi Kelly, I have only tried with maple syrup...I'm not sure pancake syrup would work the same.
Dee
Hi Denise,
Looking forward to making this! Here inAustralia, REAL maple syrup is hard to come by. Do you think I could sub honey? Perhaps using a bit less?
Many thanks, Dee
Denise
Hi Dee! I haven't tried with honey...I would worry that it might burn as it is thicker than maple syrup. Here's a honey garlic beef recipe I made awhile back, I'm sure you could swap the beef for pork. It has more liquid so you don't have to worry about anything burning 🙂 https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/slow-cooker-honey-garlic-beef/
Dee
Many thanks Denise! I didn't appreciate the possibility of honey burning...thank you for the advice, much appreciated ?
Quay
If I wanted to use chicken would you recommend breast or thighs?
Denise
Hi Quay! You could use either...I haven't tried it with this recipe but I'm sure they'd be good. You'll want to reduce the cook time to 4 hours high or 6 hours low. Good luck!
Tara
Can't wait to try this! Is that really all the liquid you add... vinegar and syrup? Seems so little for cooking all day.
Denise
Hi Tara! I know, it does seem like a small amount of liquid, but it works! I cut the pork in half lengthwise so it is mostly (if not completely) immersed in the cooking liquid. I have a 5 qt crockpot in case that's not mentioned above.
Tez @ Chile and Salt
Oh Denise you`re brilliant!! I love your repurposing of leftovers. I have the same problem in our house to these recipes are perfect!!
Denise
Thank you SO much, Tez! Leftovers can just get so boring sometimes 😉
Robin
Hi! The maple pulled pork sounds great, but I didn't find the recipe for the pork. I only saw the paragraph mentioning which ingredients that you used. Can you share the amounts of each ingredient? Thank you!
Denise
Hi Robin, the recipe is right under after the burrito bowls photo. Scroll past the writing and the three photos for the left-overs, and it should be there. I hope you like it!
Amanda
I love the simplicity of this! I have the same feelings about pulled pork. Sometimes it's way too saucy, taking away from the tender pork. I can't wait to try this!
Denise
I hope you like it, Amanda! This is definitely less saucy than the traditional pulled pork recipes...and I liked it 😉
Bet @ Bet On Dinner
I love this series! What a great idea. And I'm always looking for a good crockpot recipe, so I'm putting this on my list! Thanks! :o)
Denise
Thanks so much, Bet! I get so bored with crockpot recipes 😉
Danielle
I love making pulled pork in the slow cooker, so this sounds fantastic! I'm loving the flavors and those enchiladas are just mouth watering!
Denise
Thanks so much, Danielle! I am loving my slow cooker these days...so easy!
Bakeca Donne Milano
Thanks for sharing this delicious recipes !
Denise
No problem! 🙂
Zainab
I love this!! I will have to use beef though coz we dont eat pork.
Denise
I haven't tried it with beef, but I think it would be good. Thanks, Zainab 🙂
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel
I love these recipes! And the maple pork sounds amazing. Those enchiladas.... I'm pretty much dying here. Please come make me some!
Denise
I will be there ASAP...ha ha! Thanks, Jess!
Denise
Thank-you so much, Arpita 🙂
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
I am definitely trying this one day! I am actually always a pulled pork lover (and a sauce lover, so maybe that's why?) but maple?! Love!
Denise
I could never put my finger on what was putting me off pulled pork but it definitely had something to do with the sauce...I'm a strange, picky lady 😉 Hope you like them, Ashley!
Catherine
Dear Denise, this looks absolutely scrumptious. Next time I make pulled pork I have to try it in my slow cooker...I can't wait now! xo, Catherine
Denise
Thanks so much, Catherine 🙂 Pulled pork in the slow cooker makes things SO easy!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C
Recipes like this are gold. We love pulled pork, and I can't wait to try your version with the maple syrup! Yum! This is such a great series, Denise.
Denise
Aw, thanks, Andrea! I hope you guys like it! 🙂 🙂
marcie
I love pulled pork, but don't always want it slathered in BBQ sauce! I adore using maple syrup in cooking, so this sounds right up my alley. Can't wait to see the other delicious recipes!
Denise
Ah I'm glad I'm not alone! I like BBQ sauce in extreme moderation 🙂 Thanks, Marcie!
Jessica - The Novice Chef
Only 6 ingredients and a couple of them are spices? I am SO in! This sounds amazing! Pinned it! 🙂
Denise
Ha ha! Thanks so much, Jessica 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely
I love your 3-ways recipes! This maple pulled pork sounds delicious. And so do the recipes that use them!
Denise
Thanks so much, Natalie! 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
Love how deeeelicious and gorgeous this pulled pork looks. Addition of maple syrup looks so YUM! Absolutely AH-MAZING. 🙂
Denise
Thanks so much, Anu!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.
I seriously want to make this right this minute so we can have it for supper tonight. Unfortunately the only pork I have is frozen solid, so maybe later this week! 🙂 I'm with you on pulled pork usually being too saucy, I don't like that either. I definitely need to try this one!
Denise
Aw, thanks Stacey! I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't enjoy really saucy pulled pork! (LOL that sounds funny now that I read that last sentence out loud... 😀 )
Jen | Baked by an Introvert
Wow. This pork sounds incredible. I have a soft spot for pulled pork and a slow cooker version is right up my alley. Love this!
Denise
Pulled pork is such comfort food, isn't it? Thanks, Jen!
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen
Wow I love this recipe, my dear. It looks so flavourful with the maple. I have to try this recipe soon 😉
Denise
Thanks so much, Olivia 🙂 Maple and pork go really well together!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Oh this pulled pork looks perfect, Denise! I'm kind of the opposite of you, I love pulled pork because of the amounts of sauce! But I'm especially loving that you flavored this with a maple sauce. Sounds perfect for the fall!
Denise
Thanks so much, Gayle! I know I'm a bit strange, for some reason I can only handle a very small amount of BBQ sauce at a time!