Herb-Crusted Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze
Fall-apart tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with aromatic herbs and a tangy apple cider glaze, perfect for effortless weeknight dinners. This american-inspired slow cooker (whole30) ready in about 440 minutes pairs pork shoulder, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 2.5 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 medium, thinly sliced onion
- 2 medium, cut into 1-inch pieces carrots
- 2 stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces celery
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then rub 2 tbsp coconut aminos, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp dried thyme evenly over the surface until fully coated.
- Step 2: Place 1 sliced onion, 2 chopped carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, then place the seasoned pork shoulder on top.
- Step 3: Pour 1 cup chicken broth around the pork, ensuring it doesn't cover the meat, then cook on LOW for 7 hours until the pork pulls apart easily with a fork.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Crusted Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 440 minutes (20 min prep + 420 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 Herb-Crusted 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 Herb-Crusted 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 Herb-Crusted 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 Herb-Crusted 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order american delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
