Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Braised Apples

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting slow-cooker dish featuring tender pork shoulder coated in a sweet-tart maple and apple cider glaze, served with caramelized apples that soak up every drop of flavor. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 (13 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2.5 lbs pork shoulder in slow cooker, rubbing evenly with 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Peel, core, and dice 2 medium apples and 1 medium yellow onion into 1/2-inch pieces. Add to slow cooker on top of pork.
  3. Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours until pork is fork-tender and apples are caramelized and slightly broken down.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork and apples to a platter. Strain cooking liquid into a small saucepan, discarding solids. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until reduced by half and glossy.
  5. Step 5: Pour reduced sauce over pork and apples, stirring to coat. Serve immediately with extra sauce for dipping.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Braised Apples take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 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 Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Braised Apples?

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 Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Braised Apples?

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 Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Braised Apples 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 Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Braised Apples?

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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