Slow-Cooked Apple-Thyme Pork Shoulder with Herb Dumplings

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

A tender pork shoulder braised with tart apples and fresh thyme, served with pillowy herb dumplings for a comforting weeknight meal. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, apple cider, Granny Smith apples 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.

★ 4.2 (15 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat pork shoulder dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Place in slow cooker. Add diced apples, apple cider, thyme, and chicken broth, stirring to combine.
  2. Step 2: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours until pork is fork-tender. Remove pork and set aside; skim excess fat from cooking liquid.
  3. Step 3: Stir chopped parsley into reserved cooking liquid. Slice pork and serve with the liquid and herb dumplings, which are poached in the liquid for 10 minutes until doubled in size.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Apple-Thyme Pork Shoulder with Herb Dumplings 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-Thyme Pork Shoulder with Herb Dumplings?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Apple-Thyme Pork Shoulder with Herb Dumplings?

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-Thyme Pork Shoulder with Herb Dumplings 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-Thyme Pork Shoulder with Herb Dumplings?

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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