Farmhouse Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze
Juicy smoked pork shoulder infused with farm-fresh flavors, finished with a tangy apple cider glaze that balances smoky richness. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 760 minutes pairs pork shoulder, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 10, 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
- 6 lbs pork shoulder
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 2 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 cups hickory wood chips
Instructions
- Step 1: Mix 1/4 cup kosher salt, 2 tbsp black pepper, 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp onion powder in a bowl to create the pork rub.
- Step 2: Pat the 6 lbs pork shoulder dry, then rub the spice mixture all over the pork, ensuring full coverage.
- Step 3: Let the pork shoulder rest at room temperature for 30 minutes while you prepare the smoker.
- Step 4: Preheat your smoker to 225°F with 3 cups of hickory wood chips for authentic smoky flavor.
- Step 5: Place the pork shoulder on the smoker grate and smoke for about 10-12 hours until the internal temperature reaches 195°F, spritzing every hour with 1 cup apple cider vinegar to keep the meat moist.
- Step 6: Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup apple cider and 1/4 cup honey in a small saucepan, simmer over medium heat until the glaze thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
- Step 7: Brush the apple cider glaze over the smoked pork shoulder during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Step 8: Remove the pork from the smoker and let it rest wrapped in foil for 1 hour before shredding or slicing for serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Farmhouse Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 760 minutes (40 min prep + 720 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 Farmhouse Smoked 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 Farmhouse Smoked 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 Farmhouse Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). 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 Farmhouse Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze?
American bbq & smoked 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.
