Honey Mustard Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-apart tender pork shoulder glazed in a sticky honey-mustard sauce, served with roasted root vegetables for a cozy, hands-off dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder roast, Dijon mustard, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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.

★ 3.8 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 620 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then rub with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp Dijon mustard.
  2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork shoulder on all sides for 3-4 minutes per side until browned; transfer to slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: Whisk together honey, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp garlic powder in a bowl. Pour over pork shoulder in the slow cooker.
  4. Step 4: Arrange sliced onions, carrots, and parsnips around the pork, then sprinkle with thyme sprigs.
  5. Step 5: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours. Remove pork and vegetables; skim excess fat from the cooking liquid. Slice pork and serve with vegetables and pan sauce.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey Mustard Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder 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 Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder?

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 roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey Mustard Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder?

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 Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder 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 Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder?

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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