Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tender, fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder slow-cooked with a sweet and savory honey glaze, accompanied by roasted root vegetables for a comforting weeknight meal. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs Pork shoulder, Honey, Soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 750 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.

★ 3.3 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 750 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the 3 lbs pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then season all sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Place the seasoned pork shoulder in the slow cooker, then pour the honey mixture evenly over the pork.
  4. Step 4: Scatter 3 peeled and chopped medium carrots, 1.5 lbs peeled and chopped potatoes, 1 chopped medium onion, and 1 tsp dried thyme around the pork.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with an additional 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
  6. Step 6: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and vegetables are tender.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables 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 Root Vegetables?

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 Root Vegetables?

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 Root Vegetables 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.

What goes well with Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?

American slow cooker 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.

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