Slow-Cooked Apple-Glazed Pork Shoulder

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

A tender, fall-apart pork shoulder coated in a sweet-tart glaze of apples and honey. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder roast, olive oil, sliced 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 3 lb pork shoulder roast dry with paper towels and season all sides with salt and black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork shoulder on all sides for 2-3 minutes per side until browned.
  3. Step 3: Transfer seared pork to a slow cooker. Add 1 sliced onion and 2 diced apples to the slow cooker.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup apple cider, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp dried thyme. Pour mixture over pork and vegetables.
  5. Step 5: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork is fork-tender.
  6. Step 6: Remove pork from slow cooker and let rest for 10 minutes. Discard onion and apple pieces, slice pork, and serve with glaze.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Apple-Glazed Pork Shoulder 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 Slow-Cooked Apple-Glazed 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 pork shoulder roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Apple-Glazed 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-Glazed 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-Glazed 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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