Maple-Glazed Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fall-off-the-bone tender pork shoulder braised in a sweet-tart maple-cider glaze, perfect for weeknights when you want restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, apple cider, pure maple syrup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the 2.5 lbs pork shoulder dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Place the 1 medium onion, quartered, and 4 cloves garlic, peeled, in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, then nestle the seasoned pork shoulder on top.
  3. Step 3: Whisk together 1 cup apple cider, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1/2 cup chicken broth in a bowl, then pour over the pork.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 sprigs fresh thyme to the slow cooker, cover, and cook on LOW for 8 hours until the pork pulls apart easily with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Remove the pork and thyme sprigs, reserving the cooking liquid. Shred the pork with two forks, then return it to the slow cooker.
  6. Step 6: In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp all-purpose flour with 2 tbsp cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the reserved cooking liquid. Cook uncovered on HIGH for 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Glazed Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider 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 Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider?

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 Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider?

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 Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider 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 Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider?

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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