Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Pineapple & Ginger
Tender pork shoulder simmered in a sweet-tangy pineapple-ginger glaze until fall-apart tender, perfect for a weeknight dinner with minimal effort. This american-inspired slow cooker (dairy-free, gluten-free) ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, pineapple chunks, grated fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 pork shoulder
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 3 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2 lbs pork shoulder in the slow cooker, then scatter 1 cup pineapple chunks, 3 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup coconut aminos, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp sea salt evenly over the top.
- Step 2: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours until pork pulls apart easily with a fork.
- Step 3: Once cooked, shred the pork with two forks, mixing in the pineapple and juices from the slow cooker until well combined and glossy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Pineapple & Ginger 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 Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Pineapple & Ginger?
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 Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Pineapple & Ginger?
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 Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Pineapple & Ginger 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 Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Pineapple & Ginger dairy-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged dairy-free, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 480-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
