Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Apple and Onion

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with aromatic spices, apples, and onions for a comforting, family-friendly meal that requires minimal effort. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes pairs pork shoulder, medium, peeled and diced apples, large, diced onion 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.

★ 4.2 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 4 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 lb pork shoulder, 2 medium peeled and diced apples, 1 large diced onion, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup chicken broth, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper into a slow cooker, stirring to combine.
  2. Step 2: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours until pork is fork-tender and easily shreds.
  3. Step 3: Carefully remove pork shoulder and set aside. Strain cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids, then skim off excess fat from the surface.
  4. Step 4: Shred pork shoulder with two forks, return to strained liquid, and stir until well-coated. Serve hot with the apple-onion mixture spooned over the top.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Apple and Onion take to make?

Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 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 Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Apple and Onion?

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 Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Apple and Onion?

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 Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Apple and Onion 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 Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Apple and Onion?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes