Bourbon-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote

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

Slow-cooked pork shoulder glazed with bourbon and topped with a sweet-tart apple compote, showcasing Kentucky's signature flavors. This southern-inspired slow cooker (gluten-free) ready in about 205 minutes pairs pork shoulder, bourbon, medium apple for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 485 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 485 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then rub 1 tbsp brown sugar and 1 minced garlic clove over the surface.
  2. Step 2: Place pork in a roasting pan, add 1/4 cup bourbon, 1 diced onion, and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Cover tightly with foil.
  3. Step 3: Bake for 3 hours until pork is fork-tender, then remove foil and brush with 2 tbsp dijon mustard mixed with 1 tbsp brown sugar.
  4. Step 4: For compote, cook 2 thinly sliced apples and 1 diced onion in 1 tbsp butter over medium heat for 12 minutes until soft. Add 1/4 cup bourbon and simmer until reduced by half.
  5. Step 5: Slice pork and serve topped with apple compote and pan juices.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Bourbon-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote take to make?

Total time is about 205 minutes (25 min prep + 180 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-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote?

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-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote?

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-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.

Is Bourbon-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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