Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Carrot Medley
Succulent pork shoulder slow-cooked with crisp apples and carrots, creating a naturally sweet and savory dish that’s perfect for family dinners. This american-inspired slow cooker (whole30) ready in about 380 minutes pairs trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder, large, chopped onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 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
- 2 lbs, trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder
- 2 medium, cored and chopped into 1-inch chunks apples
- 2 medium, peeled and chopped into 1-inch chunks carrots
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp, fresh, chopped rosemary
- 2 tbsp, fresh, chopped thyme
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the pork shoulder with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil and sear the pork shoulder for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown; transfer to the slow cooker.
- Step 2: Add 1 chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add 2 tbsp olive oil and cook the chopped apples and carrots for 3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Step 3: Transfer the apple and carrot mixture to the slow cooker. Add 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, 2 tbsp fresh thyme, and 1 cup chicken broth. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours, or until pork is fork-tender and vegetables are tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Carrot Medley take to make?
Total time is about 380 minutes (20 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 Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Carrot Medley?
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 large, chopped onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Carrot Medley?
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-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Carrot Medley 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 Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Carrot Medley 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
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
