1. Preheat your oven to 300°F. Generously season the pork with salt and pepper on all sides. Preheat a large Dutch oven to high heat and add a drizzle of oil. Once the pot is hot, add the pork and sear for 2-3 minutes on all sides until golden. Remove the pork and set it aside.

2. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the diced onions to the pot. Pour a splash of apple cider into the pot and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to deglaze the pan. Sauté the onions for 2-3 minutes, then add the minced garlic and sauté for one more minute.

3. In a bowl, whisk together the remaining apple cider, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and all the pork seasonings. Place the seared pork back in the Dutch oven, pour the liquid mixture over it, and add the fresh thyme sprigs. Cover the pot with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven.

4. Cook the pork for 3-4 hours, or until it’s tender and easily shreds with a fork.

5. While the pork is cooking, prepare the mashed sweet potatoes. Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a pot and cover them with water. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.

6. Drain the cooked sweet potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the butter, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mash the sweet potatoes until they’re smooth and creamy, adjusting the seasonings to your taste.

7. Once the pork is tender, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Shred the pork using tongs or a fork, then mix it with the delicious pan juices left in the Dutch oven.

8. To serve, place a generous portion of the mashed sweet potatoes on a plate and top it with the shredded Apple Cider Pork. Drizzle the pork with the flavorful pan juices for an extra boost of flavor.