ADVERTISEMENT
My sister begs me to make this sticky, sweet dinner. It tastes incredibly fancy but actually takes just 3 ingredients
If you like a little heat with your sweet, stir 1 to 2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne into the apple butter mixture before pouring it over the pork. For a slightly more savory balance, you can add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of Dijon mustard without really changing the 3-ingredient spirit of the recipe.
Swap the pork loin for a pork tenderloin (about 2 to 2 1/2 lb) and shorten the cook time to about 2 to 3 hours on LOW, checking early so it doesn’t overcook. You can also shred the cooked pork instead of slicing it—return the shredded meat to the slow cooker, toss with the sauce, and serve it as sticky apple butter pulled pork on toasted buns.
For meal prep, cook the pork on a Sunday, slice or shred it, and store in the sauce for up to 4 days; it reheats beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water. If you need it gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
ADVERTISEMENT
To make the glaze even shinier for that “fancy” look in photos, reduce the sauce on the stove until very thick and brush it over the sliced pork right before serving.
ADVERTISEMENT
