Slow Cooker Apple and Maple Pulled Pork

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers which partnered with Mom It Forward on this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions were my own.

When it comes to the fall season, there’s nothing better than waking up to a stack of pancakes, waffles, or French toast drizzled in warm maple syrup and melted butter. By starting the day with a warm breakfast and a full belly, one might feel like they could successfully tackle and take on the rest of the day.

So, with all that being said, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of maple syrup? Breakfast, right? Well, I’m here to change that. It already worked on my husband and I’m hoping it works on you. You see, when I woke up this morning, I had pulled pork on the mind. It seems odd but let’s just blame it on the pregnancy. If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I will never pass up a pulled pork sandwich.

When I was working on putting everything into the slow cooker, my husband asked me what I was making. I told him that I was creating a pulled pork recipe using maple syrup. He was immediately confused. Pork and maple syrup … really? Yes, really. Why?

Maple syrup isn’t just a pancake and waffle topping. Instead, maple syrup is incredibly versatile and easy to incorporate into both sweet and savory everyday meals. Since maple syrup is a natural sweetener, it’s also a great source of vitamins and antioxidants.

When it comes to maple syrup, it’s time to “Think Outside the Griddle!” In celebration of this movement, The Quebec Federation of Maple Syrup Producers launched their first ever recipe contest to inspire bloggers and recipe fans to celebrate the versatility of pure maple syrup.

Are you interested in entering the contest? To enter, please visit the contest site and rules page. To learn more about maple syrup, please be sure to visit purecanadamaple.com. Recipe must be posted and submitted by October 31. The first prize winner will be awarded $2,000. Don’t forget to like Pure Canada Maple on Facebook, Follow on Pinterest, and follow on Twitter.

How am I thinking outside the griddle? I decided to embrace the savory side of maple syrup, as well as my love of pulled pork. Here’s a simple pulled pork recipe that can be made in your slow cooker. With just a few ingredients, you’ll have a dish to serve to your family in 4-8 hours that they will crave time and time again.

Slow Cooker Apple and Maple Pulled Pork

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs pork butt, rinsed and trimmed
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
• 1/2 large red onion, diced
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons McCormick Smokehouse Maple seasoning

Directions:

1. Place the pork into the center of a slow cooker.
2. Pour the apple cider vinegar around the pork. 
3. Sprinkle the mustard and Paprika on the pork.
4. Add the onion and apple pieces into the pot. Be sure to leave some of the pieces on top of the pork.
5. Pour the maple syrup over the pork.
6. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the top of the pork.
7. Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours or until fully cooked.
8. Take two forks and pull apart the pork. Allow the pork pieces to simmer in the juice for 10 minutes.
9. Serve either alone or on a roll. Be sure to use a slotted spoon when serving the pork in order to allow some of the juices to drain. Feel free to add cole slaw if you’re serving as a sandwich.

If you have leftovers, why not try the following?

• Top baked potatoes with pulled pork
• Mix pulled pork into macaroni and cheese
• Top a salad dish with pulled pork
• Add pulled pork into a quiche recipe
• Make enchiladas using the extra pulled pork

What’s your favorite way to enjoy pulled pork?

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers which partnered with Mom It Forward on this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions were my own.