Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple & Saurkraut
A savory-sweet slow-cooked pork shoulder with tangy sauerkraut and sweet apple chunks, all infused with warm spices for a comforting Whole30 dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker (whole30, dairy-free) ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, sauerkraut, honeycrisp apples for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 cups sauerkraut
- 1 cup honeycrisp apples
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1.5 lbs pork shoulder in the slow cooker, fat side up. Top with 2 cups sauerkraut, ensuring it covers the pork partially.
- Step 2: Dice 1 cup honeycrisp apples into 1/2-inch cubes and scatter evenly over the sauerkraut. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp fresh thyme.
- Step 3: Whisk together 3 tbsp coconut aminos, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Pour the mixture evenly over the pork and apples until the liquid pools at the bottom of the pot.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, or until pork pulls apart easily with a fork. The apples should be tender and the sauce glossy, with the pork fully infused with the sweet-tangy glaze.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple & Saurkraut 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 & Saurkraut?
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 & Saurkraut?
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 & Saurkraut 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.
Is Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple & Saurkraut whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, dairy-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
