Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Heritage Apples

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A slow-braised pork shoulder simmered with heirloom apples and maple syrup until fork-tender, creating a rich, caramelized glaze that honors traditional slow-cooking methods. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 170 minutes pairs bone-in pork shoulder butt, maple syrup, apple cider for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

★ 3.5 (15 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 145 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 2 lbs bone-in pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear the pork for 5 minutes per side until golden brown on all surfaces.
  2. Step 2: Remove pork and set aside. Add 1 finely diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/2 cup apple cider, and 4 fresh thyme sprigs, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pot, then return the pork to the pot.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 cups diced heritage apples on top of the pork, cover with a lid, and simmer on low heat for 2 hours until the pork is fork-tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork and apples, then strain the cooking liquid into a bowl. Whisk 2 tbsp all-purpose flour into 1/4 cup chicken broth to make a slurry, then stir into the strained liquid and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
  6. Step 6: Slice the pork, arrange on a platter with apples, and drizzle with the thickened glaze before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Heritage Apples take to make?

Total time is about 170 minutes (25 min prep + 145 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 Heritage 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 bone-in pork shoulder butt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Heritage 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 Heritage 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 Heritage 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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