A low-fuss Christmas crowd-pleaser (that makes your house smell like a literal hug)
You know those Christmas dishes that look like you’ve put in hours of effort, but actually required less thinking than finding a park at Westfield in December? This is one of them.
This Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork with Apple & Sage is the kind of recipe you bring when you want everyone to think, “Wow, they really went all out,” even though you spent most of the cooking time watching Netflix and “monitoring” the crackling with a fork.
It’s warm, tender, fragrant, slightly sweet from the apples, and absolutely perfect for feeding a group. And because it’s slow-cooked, it’s incredibly forgiving — unlike gingerbread houses, which personally offended me last year.
Let’s get cooking.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Pulled Pork
- Effortless — basically cooks itself.
- Budget-friendly — pork shoulder is inexpensive and great for crowds.
- Festive flavours — apple, sage, garlic… it smells like Christmas morning.
- Flexible serving options — rolls, salads, roast veg, tacos… anything goes.
- Perfect for bring-a-plate Christmas lunches — transportable and reheats beautifully.
🛒 Ingredients (Feeds a Sharing Table)
Pork
- 1.5–2 kg pork shoulder, boneless (or bone-in — either is fine)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Aromatics
- 2 apples, sliced (Pink Lady, Jazz, or whatever is in your fruit bowl)
- 1 brown onion, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tsp thyme (optional)
Cooking Liquid
- 1 cup apple cider (or apple juice)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (or honey)
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the pork
Pat the pork shoulder dry.
Rub with olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
Massage it like you’re convincing it to behave well in the slow cooker.
2. Layer the aromatics
In your slow cooker (or heavy Dutch oven), scatter:
- apple slices
- onion
- garlic
- sage + thyme
These act as a flavour mattress for your pork.
3. Add the pork on top
Place the shoulder over the aromatics.
4. Mix the cooking liquid
Whisk together:
- apple cider
- vinegar
- maple syrup
Pour around (not over) the pork.
5. Let it do its thing
- Slow cooker: 8 hours on LOW
- Oven: 150°C for 4–5 hours, covered
Pork is done when it falls apart with a fork and you suddenly feel like a magician.
6. Shred & reduce
- Remove pork and shred with forks.
- Strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan.
- Simmer 5–10 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Pour over the shredded pork and toss.
🍽️ How to Serve It
This pulled pork goes with everything:
- Soft brioche rolls with pickles
- Warm roasted veggies
- Crisp green salad or coleslaw
- Roast potatoes
- Tacos (the unofficial Boxing Day meal)
For the Christmas table, scatter the pork with:
- extra sage
- sliced apple
- pomegranate arils for sparkle
💡 Tips for Success
- Choose shoulder, not loin — shoulder has the fat you need for juicy results.
- Don’t skip the apple — it melts into the sauce and boosts the flavour.
- If making ahead: store the shredded pork in the sauce so it stays moist.
- Want crackling? Buy a shoulder with the skin on and roast the skin separately at 220°C until puffed and crisp. (Not necessary, but oh so good.)
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Stores in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezes beautifully for 2–3 months.
- Reheat in a pan with a splash of water or cider to keep it juicy.
Solo eater tip: Portion into 150–200 g bags before freezing — future you will thank you.
🎀 Gifting Idea
Fill a small jar with the reduced apple-sage sauce, tie with twine, and gift it as “Christmas Pork Drizzle.” People will think you’re a culinary genius.
📣 Loved this recipe?
If this Slow-Cooked Apple & Sage Pulled Pork ends up on your Christmas table, I’d love to hear about it!
Share the recipe, leave a comment, or subscribe for more festive Plan4One dishes coming this December. 🎄✨
