Slow-Cooked Apple Cider Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder braised in a sweet apple cider reduction with caramelized onions and carrots for a comforting weeknight dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pounds pork shoulder, apple cider, apple cider vinegar 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and season all sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the pork shoulder for 3 minutes per side until deeply browned, then transfer to the slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 sliced onion, 2 sliced carrots, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup apple cider, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon honey to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the pork is fork-tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove the pork and let it rest for 15 minutes. Strain the cooking liquid, discarding solids, and return it to the slow cooker. Simmer on high for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Slice the pork and serve with the reduced sauce and vegetables.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Apple Cider Pork Shoulder take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 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 Slow-Cooked Apple Cider Pork Shoulder?

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 pounds pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Apple Cider Pork Shoulder?

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 Slow-Cooked Apple Cider Pork Shoulder 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 Slow-Cooked Apple Cider Pork Shoulder?

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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