Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sandwich with Homemade Sweet BBQ Sauce

Pull apart the layers of tender, juicy pork, slow-cooked to perfection and drenched in a sweet, tangy homemade barbecue sauce. Piled high on a soft bun, this sandwich will make your taste buds dance with excitement. Perfect for a weekend gathering or a cozy family dinner, this dish requires minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor.

Ingredients:For the Pulled Pork:- 1 pork shoulder (about 4-5 lbs)- 2 tbsp olive oil- 1 large onion, sliced- 4 garlic cloves, minced- 1 cup apple cider vinegar- 1 cup chicken broth- 2 tbsp smoked paprika- 1 tbsp chili powder- 1 tbsp garlic powder- 1 tbsp onion powder- 1 tbsp brown sugar- 1 tbsp salt- 1 tsp black pepper- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

For the Sweet BBQ Sauce:- 1 cup ketchup- 1/2 cup brown sugar- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce- 1 tbsp soy sauce- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard- 1 tsp smoked paprika- 1 tsp garlic powder- 1 tsp onion powder- 1/2 tsp salt- 1/2 tsp black pepper

For Serving:- 8 brioche buns, toasted- Coleslaw (optional)- Pickles (optional)

Instructions:1. **Prepare the Pork:** - Rub the pork shoulder with olive oil. - In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Rub the spice mix all over the pork shoulder.

2. **Slow Cooking:** - Place the sliced onions and minced garlic at the bottom of your slow cooker. - Position the rubbed pork shoulder on top of the onions and garlic. - Pour the apple cider vinegar and chicken broth over the pork. - Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the pork is fall-apart tender.

3. **Shred the Pork:** - Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker and let it cool slightly. - Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces, discarding any excess fat. Set aside.

4. **Make the Sweet BBQ Sauce:** - In a medium saucepan, combine all BBQ sauce ingredients: ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. - Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes. - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

5. **Combine:** - Mix about two-thirds of the BBQ sauce into the shredded pork in the slow cooker. Keep warm.

6. **Assemble the Sandwiches:** - Pile the pulled pork onto the toasted brioche buns. - Drizzle with additional BBQ sauce. - Top with coleslaw and pickles, if using.

7. **Serve:** - Serve immediately and enjoy your delightful pulled pork sandwich!

This sandwich's deep flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture make it an irresistible choice for any meal occasion.