Bourbon-Barbecued Pork Shoulder with Charred Peach

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-apart pork shoulder glazed with a smoky bourbon barbecue sauce, topped with caramelized peach slices. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 320 minutes pairs pork shoulder, bourbon whiskey, apple cider vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.1 (12 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 290 min Serves 8 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub pork shoulder with smoked paprika, garlic powder, paprika, and 1/4 cup of the bourbon; let sit for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Place pork in a roasting pan, cover with foil, and bake at 275°F for 4 hours until tender. Remove foil and brush with remaining bourbon.
  3. Step 3: In a small saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and 2 tbsp bourbon. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes until syrupy and reduced by half.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat; add peach slices and honey. Sauté for 4 minutes per side until golden and caramelized.
  5. Step 5: Brush pork with the bourbon sauce, then return to oven uncovered for 20 minutes to glaze. Top with charred peaches and serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Bourbon-Barbecued Pork Shoulder with Charred Peach take to make?

Total time is about 320 minutes (30 min prep + 290 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Bourbon-Barbecued Pork Shoulder with Charred Peach?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Bourbon-Barbecued Pork Shoulder with Charred Peach?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Bourbon-Barbecued Pork Shoulder with Charred Peach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Bourbon-Barbecued Pork Shoulder with Charred Peach?

American slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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