Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder with Michigan Apple Glaze
Tender pork shoulder slow-braised in apple cider and finished with a sweet and tangy Michigan apple glaze, perfect for a comforting dinner. This american-inspired pork ready in about 205 minutes pairs pork shoulder, apple cider, Michigan apple juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup Michigan apple juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 medium, sliced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear pork shoulder for 4 minutes on each side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 medium sliced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 cups apple cider and 1 cup Michigan apple juice, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup brown sugar and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, then return pork shoulder to the pot.
- Step 6: Cover with lid and place in oven, braising for 3 hours until pork is fork-tender.
- Step 7: Remove pork and set aside. Simmer the braising liquid uncovered on stovetop over medium heat for 10 minutes until it thickens into a glaze.
- Step 8: Slice or shred pork, drizzle with the apple glaze, and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder with Michigan Apple Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 205 minutes (15 min prep + 190 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 Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder with Michigan Apple Glaze?
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 Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder with Michigan Apple Glaze?
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 Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder with Michigan Apple Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder with Michigan Apple Glaze?
American pork 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.
