Honey-Mustard Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked to perfection with a sweet honey-mustard glaze, complemented by the natural sweetness of apples and aromatic rosemary. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

★ 4.1 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place the 3 lbs pork shoulder in the slow cooker, drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Step 2: Whisk together 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp dried rosemary in a small bowl until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Add the 1 large diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the slow cooker, then pour the mustard-honey mixture over the pork.
  4. Step 4: Arrange the 1 cup diced apple on top of the pork, pour 1 cup chicken broth around the edges, and stir gently to combine.
  5. Step 5: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours until pork is fork-tender and pulls apart easily.
  6. Step 6: Remove pork and strain cooking liquid into a saucepan; simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes until reduced to a syrupy consistency.
  7. Step 7: Slice the pork, return to the slow cooker, and toss with the reduced sauce and apple pieces, garnishing with 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Mustard Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary take to make?

Total time is about 375 minutes (15 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 Honey-Mustard Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary?

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-Mustard Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary?

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-Mustard Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary 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-Mustard Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary?

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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