Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apple Slices

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

Fall-apart pork shoulder cooked with honey, mustard, and apples in a slow cooker for a sweet-savory family dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs trimmed Pork shoulder, Honey, Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 American cuisine 410 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 lb trimmed pork shoulder in slow cooker, then layer with 2 medium sliced Honeycrisp apples and 1 medium sliced yellow onion.
  2. Step 2: Whisk 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl.
  3. Step 3: Pour mixture over pork and vegetables, ensuring even coating.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork pulls apart easily with a fork.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apple Slices 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-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apple Slices?

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 trimmed pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apple Slices?

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 Pork Shoulder with Apple Slices 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.

What goes well with Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apple Slices?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes