Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Slices

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-09 · Updated 2026-04-09

Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with a sweet maple glaze and fresh apples for a comforting, one-pot dinner. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 375 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, pure 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 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

• 2 lbs pork shoulder
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 medium apples
• 1 large onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 cup chicken broth

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs pork shoulder in slow cooker. Whisk 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp dried thyme in a bowl; pour over pork.
2. Step 2: Arrange 2 medium cored and sliced apples and 1 large sliced onion around pork. Sprinkle 2 minced garlic cloves over top.
3. Step 3: Pour 1 cup chicken broth into slow cooker, ensuring liquid covers the bottom but doesn't submerge pork.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6 hours until pork is fork-tender.
5. Step 5: Remove pork and vegetables; skim excess fat from cooking liquid, then return pork and vegetables to glaze for 15 minutes before serving.