Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote

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

A fall-apart tender pork shoulder simmered with aromatic herbs and sweet-tart apple compote, perfect for cozy dinners. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs bone-in pork shoulder, olive oil, large, finely chopped yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the 3 lbs bone-in pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper on all sides. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear the pork shoulder for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned.
  2. Step 2: Transfer the seared pork shoulder to a slow cooker. Add 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped, 3 garlic cloves minced, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 tsp dried rosemary.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1 cup apple cider, 2 cups peeled and diced Granny Smith apples, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 cup honey. 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 shoulder and let it rest for 15 minutes. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a saucepan, discarding solids. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes until reduced by half and thickened to a glaze.
  6. Step 6: Slice the pork shoulder and serve with the apple compote sauce.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote 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 Herb-Infused 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 bone-in pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused 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 Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused 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 Slow-Cooked Herb-Infused Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote?

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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