Cider-Braised Whole30 Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked in a tangy apple cider glaze until it falls apart, perfect for serving over roasted vegetables or with a side of steamed greens. This american-inspired slow cooker (whole30) ready in about 490 minutes pairs Pork shoulder, Apple cider vinegar, Olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs Pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 1/2 cup Apple cider
• 1/2 cup, diced Onion
• 1/2 cup, diced Carrot
• 1/2 cup, diced Celery

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 1.5 lbs pork shoulder in the slow cooker and sprinkle with 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Use your hands to rub the seasonings evenly into the meat.
2. Step 2: Arrange 1/2 cup diced onion, 1/2 cup diced carrot, and 1/2 cup diced celery around the pork. Pour 1/2 cup apple cider over the vegetables.
3. Step 3: Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 8 hours, or until the pork is fork-tender and easily pulls apart when gently pressed.