Mountain Man-Inspired Herb-Rubbed Roast Pork with Apple Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A robust roast pork rubbed with pine and rosemary herbs, finished with a sweet apple glaze reminiscent of mountain flavors. This american-inspired pork ready in about 200 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 8, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 8 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Kitchen tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme, 1/4 cup toasted and chopped pine nuts, 5 minced garlic cloves, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper to form a herb paste.
  2. Step 2: Rub the 4-pound boneless pork shoulder evenly with the herb paste, pressing it into the meat to coat thoroughly.
  3. Step 3: Place the pork on a rack in a roasting pan and roast in the preheated oven for 3 hours, basting every 45 minutes with 1 cup apple cider.
  4. Step 4: In the last 30 minutes of roasting, mix 1/2 cup apple butter with remaining pan juices and brush generously over the pork to create a glossy apple glaze. Continue roasting uncovered until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Mountain Man-Inspired Herb-Rubbed Roast Pork with Apple Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Mountain Man-Inspired Herb-Rubbed Roast Pork with Apple Glaze?

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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mountain Man-Inspired Herb-Rubbed Roast Pork with Apple Glaze?

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 Mountain Man-Inspired Herb-Rubbed Roast Pork with Apple Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Mountain Man-Inspired Herb-Rubbed Roast Pork with Apple Glaze?

American pork 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.

Related recipes