Scanian Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote
Slow-cooked pork shoulder with a sweet-tart apple compote, featuring traditional Scanian spices. This general-inspired slow cooker ready in about 175 minutes pairs pork shoulder roast, medium, peeled and diced apple, large, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 roast
- 2 medium, peeled and diced apple
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Season generously with 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 2: In a Dutch oven, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium-high heat. Sear pork shoulder on all sides for 5 minutes until golden brown, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Add chopped onion to the pot and cook for 4 minutes until translucent. Stir in diced apples, 1/4 cup cider vinegar, and 3 tbsp maple syrup. Cook for 5 minutes until apples begin to soften.
- Step 4: Return pork to the pot, nestling it into the apple mixture. Add 1 cup water, cover tightly, and simmer on low heat for 2.5 hours until fork-tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Scanian Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote take to make?
Total time is about 175 minutes (25 min prep + 150 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 Scanian Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote?
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 roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Scanian Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote?
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 Scanian Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote 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 Scanian Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote?
General 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
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