Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze
Fall-apart pork shoulder braised with apple cider, cinnamon, and garlic until caramelized and deeply flavorful, perfect for Whole30 weeknights. This american-inspired slow cooker (whole30) ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch coins carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2 lbs pork shoulder in slow cooker, season evenly with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced onion, 2 medium sliced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon to slow cooker, mixing gently.
- Step 3: Pour 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup coconut aminos over the top, ensuring all ingredients are moistened.
- Step 4: Cook on LOW for 8 hours until pork is fork-tender and easily shreds.
- Step 5: Remove pork shoulder, shred with two forks, then return to slow cooker with all cooking juices. Stir gently until sauce thickens slightly and coats the meat.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 495 minutes (15 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 Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider 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 Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider 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 Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider 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.
Is Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
