Easy Dutch Oven Pulled Pork with Apple Cider

Learn how to make tender and flavorful Dutch oven pulled pork braised in apple cider. This easy recipe is perfect for pulled pork sandwiches topped with creamy coleslaw—comfort food made simple!

There’s nothing quite like a big pot of Dutch oven pulled pork simmering away on a crisp fall day. Slow-braising pork in apple cider infuses it with rich, cozy flavor while ensuring the meat becomes irresistibly tender and fall-apart delicious. With just a few simple steps of prep, your Dutch oven takes care of the rest!

This apple cider pulled pork is the ultimate fall comfort food—perfect for cozy weekends, game days, entertaining friends, or even meal prep for the week ahead. Serve it piled high on buns with crisp coleslaw for the ultimate pulled pork sandwich that tastes like comfort in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Great for Any Occasion – Whether it’s a cozy weekend dinner, football Sunday, entertaining friends, or weekly meal prep, this recipe fits the bill.

Perfect for Fall – Slow-braised in apple cider, this pulled pork is warm, cozy, and packed with seasonal flavor.

Tender, Fall-Apart Meat – Cooking low and slow in the Dutch oven guarantees juicy, melt-in-your-mouth pork every time.

Minimal Effort, Big Reward – Just a little prep work and your Dutch oven does all the heavy lifting.

Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing – Pile it high on buns with slaw for the ultimate pulled pork sandwich, or serve it on tacos, lettuce wraps or baked potatoes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pulled Pork

• Pork Butt or Pork Shoulder (boneless) – This cut is ideal for slow cooking, becoming tender and juicy, and shredding beautifully for pulled pork sandwiches.
• Rub: Brown Sugar, Cayenne, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika – This spice mixture forms a flavorful crust on the pork, balancing sweetness, warmth, and a gentle kick.
• Avocado Oil (or any neutral cooking oil) – Used to sear the pork and lock in all the rub’s flavors.
• Sweet or Yellow Onion, thinly sliced – Melts into the braising liquid, adding natural sweetness and richness.
• Apple Cider – Provides moisture while infusing the pork with a cozy, slightly fruity flavor perfect for fall.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds tangy brightness to balance the richness of the pork.
• Dijon Mustard – Enhances the braising liquid with subtle tang.
• BBQ Sauce – Some is used during cooking to deepen the flavor, and more is added to the shredded pork for a saucy, irresistible finish.

Tangy Coleslaw

• Coleslaw Mix – Adds crispness and freshness to complement the rich pork.
• Mayo – Gives the slaw creaminess and binds the ingredients together.
• Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey – Bring sweet-tart brightness that pairs perfectly with the pulled pork.
• Salt & Pepper – Simple seasonings to enhance all the flavors.

To Serve

• Brioche Buns – Soft and slightly sweet, perfect for holding the pulled pork and slaw.
• Tangy Coleslaw – Adds crunch, freshness, and balance to each bite.

How to Make Dutch Oven Pulled Pork: Step By Step

Prepare Ingredients: Preheat oven to 300℉. Cut pork butt into large 2-inch chunks and thinly slice the onion. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Coat pork pieces evenly in the seasoning blend.

Sear the pork: Heat avocado oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pork pieces in batches and sear for about 2 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.

Cook the onions & deglaze: In the same Dutch oven, sauté onions for 5 minutes, adding a little more avocado oil if needed. Pour in apple cider vinegar, Dijon, apple cider, and ½ cup of the BBQ sauce. Stir and bring to a low simmer.

Braise & finish the pork: Return the pork to the Dutch oven, cover, and transfer to the oven. Cook for 2 ½ to 3 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender. Remove and shred with two forks, then return the shredded pork to the Dutch oven and stir in the remaining 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce.

Make the coleslaw: In a mixing bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey. Mix well, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

How to Serve Dutch Oven Pulled Pork

The classic way to enjoy this apple cider braised pulled pork is on a soft brioche bun, topped with creamy coleslaw. For even more flavor and texture, lightly toast the buns before assembling—this adds a subtle crunch and helps prevent them from getting soggy under all that juicy pork.

Looking for other ways to enjoy it? This tender, flavorful pulled pork is incredibly versatile:

• Pulled Pork Tacos: Swap the buns for tortillas and load them up with your favorite taco toppings.
• Stuffed Baked Potatoes: Pile the pork into a fluffy baked potato and drizzle with extra BBQ sauce.
• Lettuce Wraps: For a lighter option, wrap the pork in crisp lettuce leaves for a fresh, low-carb take.
• Pulled Pork Nachos: Layer tortilla chips with pulled pork, melted cheese, jalapeños, and your favorite toppings for the ultimate game day snack.

No matter how you serve it, this Dutch oven pulled pork is a cozy, fall-inspired meal that’s perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or game day.

Recipe Tips

• Toast the Buns: Lightly toasting the brioche buns adds a subtle crunch and prevents them from getting soggy once you pile on the pulled pork and coleslaw. It’s a simple trick that makes the sandwich feel even more indulgent.
• Apple BBQ Sauce: To really lean into the cozy fall flavors of this apple cider pulled pork, try using an apple-flavored BBQ sauce. The sweetness and tang perfectly complement the tender pork and highlight the apple notes from the braising liquid. Trust me—it’s absolutely delicious!
• No Dutch Oven? No Problem: If you don’t own a Dutch oven, you can still make this recipe! Simply sear the pork and onions in a regular skillet, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Pour in the braising liquid, cover, and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours until the pork is fall-apart tender.

Explore More Dutch Oven Recipes

• Chipotle Braised Short Rib Tacos
• Crispy Barbacoa Tacos with Slow Braised Beef