Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apples & Saurkraut
A savory-sweet slow-cooked pork shoulder braised with tart apples and tangy sauerkraut, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners. This american-inspired slow cooker (gluten-free, dairy-free) ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 medium, thinly sliced apples
- 1 cup, drained sauerkraut
- 3 medium, chopped carrots
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2 lbs pork shoulder in the slow cooker, then top with 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp coconut aminos, and 2 tbsp pure maple syrup, ensuring even coating.
- Step 2: Arrange 2 medium thinly sliced apples and 1 cup drained sauerkraut over the pork, then scatter 3 medium chopped carrots and 3 minced garlic cloves on top.
- Step 3: Sprinkle with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours until pork pulls apart easily.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apples & Saurkraut 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 Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apples & 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 Apples & 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 Apples & Saurkraut 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.
Is Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apples & Saurkraut gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free, 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
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
