Campfire Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-smoked pork shoulder with a sweet-tart apple compote, perfect for a cozy cabin evening after a day at Beavers Bend. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder roast, apple cider, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 3.6 (8 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 2 lbs pork shoulder roast with 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp paprika, and 1 tbsp brown sugar; let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Place roast in a slow cooker, top with 1/4 cup diced onions and 2 minced garlic cloves.
  3. Step 3: Pour 1/2 cup apple cider and 1/4 cup honey over the roast; cover and cook on low for 8 hours until fork-tender.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork and keep warm; strain cooking liquid into a saucepan, discarding solids.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 cup diced apples to the strained liquid and simmer for 15 minutes until apples are soft and sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Step 6: Slice pork and serve topped with warm apple compote.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Campfire Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Campfire Smoked 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 roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Campfire Smoked 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 Campfire Smoked 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.

What goes well with Campfire Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote?

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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