Taco Tuesday! Let’s do it with Pulled Pork Tacos with Hard Cider Barbecue Sauce and Apple Slaw
It’s no secret to anyone that’s been reading along that I love tacos, and can stretch them to fit any nationality (and have). Today, barbecue… because it’s my faaavorite. I’m not sure why I have this obsession with all things sweet and saucy. Maybe it’s just an excuse for me to get a sugar fix in with my meat.
This year, I’m making Pulled Pork Tacos with Hard Cider Barbecue Sauce and Apple Slaw because, in my opinion, that’s THE BEST kind of barbecue. Despite loving it entirely way too much, I never make it because in the few times I’ve tried it’s come out just…subpar. This year, I decided I NEEDED to learn to make it properly and succeed I did…way above par.
The problem I’ve typically had is that it just comes out too mushy. Because I have better things to do than watch meat cook for 8 hours, the slow cooker was a must. How do you get crispy pulled pork from a slow cooker? Finish it off in the oven.
Thanks to Mommyhood’s Diary, the soggy pork problem was solved with a quick 30 minutes under 450 degree heat. The crispy pork combined with what has been my favorite homemade barbecue sauce to date made for some terrific tacos.
As for that sauce, I combined a base from Rachel Ray and threw some hard cider into the pot to add to the sweetness. I do love me some hard cider.
Tying it ALL together is the slaw- an apple-cabbage mix that provides just the right topping and tang to my tortilla filling.
While it seems like this is sort of a lot of work for some silly tacos…it’s soooo worth it.
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Pulled Pork Tacos
Ingredients
- For the Pork:
- 3 pounds pork butt or shoulder
- 1/2 TB garlic salt
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 TB smoked paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- For the Barbecue Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 TB Dijon mustard
- 2 TB maple syrup
- 2 TB apple cider vinegar
- 2 TB Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 8 ounces Hard Cider of your choice
- For the slaw:
- 1 Granny smith apple, julienne
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups Napa cabbage, shredded
- 1 carrot, julienne
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 4 TB apple cider vinegar
- 4 tsp maple syrup
- 4 tsp Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
- For the rest:
- Corn tortillas
- Queso fresco
Directions
- Step 1 Combine the all the sauce ingredients (except for the cider) in a small pot. Cook over medium-low heat until thickened, 25 to 30 minutes. Season with coarsely ground black pepper.
- Step 2 Meanwhile, coat the pork on all sides with the garlic salt, cayenne, paprika, salt and pepper. In a large skillet, add about 1 TB vegetable oil and brown all sides, about 4 minutes per side, to get a nice crispy crust.
- Step 3 Add the pork to the slow cooker, along with the barbecue sauce and hard cider. Cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 6 hours.
- Step 4 Once the pork is done, use 2 forks to pull the meat apart.
- Step 5 Drain the sauce and put on the stove in a saucepan over medium heat to reduce a bit while you finish the pork.
- Step 6 Heat oven to 450F. Line one baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking oil.
- Step 7 Place pork in sheet, with about ½ cup sauce, and bake for 20-30 minutes, mixing twice, until the pork looks golden and crisps around the edges. Remove from oven and serve with the slaw.
- Step 8 For the slaw: Combine the vinegar, syrup, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
- Step 9 In a large bowl, toss together the apple, cabbage, onion and carrot. Toss with the dressing and serve atop the pork, wrapped in a corn tortilla and topped with cheese.
YUM, looks delicious! Love that trick to get the pulled pork crispy. I made ribs in the slow cooker and did the same and it worked beautifully.
Thank you! I honestly don’t know why I never thought to try it before. I think it’s going to be my go-to for all slow cooked meats!