Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Sweet Potato & Apple
Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with naturally sweet sweet potatoes and apples, infused with warm cinnamon and apple cider vinegar for a perfectly balanced savory-sweet dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker (whole30) ready in about 495 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, medium (about 1 lb) sweet potato, medium Honeycrisp apple for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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 boneless pork shoulder
- 2 medium (about 1 lb) sweet potato
- 1 medium Honeycrisp apple
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 1.5 lbs boneless pork shoulder with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Step 2: Transfer seared pork to slow cooker. Add 2 medium peeled and diced sweet potatoes (about 1 lb), 1 medium cored and diced Honeycrisp apple, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar.
- Step 3: Pour 1 cup chicken broth over all ingredients, stirring to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until pork is fork-tender and sweet potatoes are soft.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Sweet Potato & Apple 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 Sweet Potato & Apple?
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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Sweet Potato & Apple?
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 Sweet Potato & Apple 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.
Is Cinnamon-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Sweet Potato & Apple 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
