Minnesota Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-12 · Updated 2026-04-12

Fall-apart tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with apple cider and smoked spices, finished with a glossy glaze. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 490 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, smoked paprika, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat slow cooker to low. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub the spice mixture evenly over the 3 lbs pork shoulder.
2. Step 2: Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker, then pour 1 cup apple cider, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard over the top.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is fork-tender and easily separates from the bone.
4. Step 4: Remove the pork shoulder and let rest for 10 minutes. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a saucepan.
5. Step 5: Simmer the strained liquid over medium heat for 15 minutes until reduced to a thick glaze. Slice the pork shoulder and drizzle with the glaze before serving.