Slow-Cooked Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apples

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-20 · Updated 2026-04-20

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A tender, fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder slow-cooked in a sweet and tangy honey-mustard glaze, paired with tender apples for a comforting meal. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, honey, Dijon mustard 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

3 lb, trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1, finely chopped yellow onion
3 cloves, minced garlic
1 tsp dried thyme
2 cups diced apples
1/2 cup chicken broth

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Instructions

Step 1: Place 3 lb trimmed pork shoulder in the slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1/2 cup chicken broth until smooth.
Step 2: Pour the honey-mustard mixture over the pork shoulder, then top with 1 finely chopped yellow onion and 2 cups diced apples.
Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until the pork is tender enough to pull apart with a fork.
Step 4: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to coat with the sauce and apples. Cook for an additional 15 minutes on low to meld the flavors.
Step 5: Serve the pork shoulder over rice or with crusty bread for a hearty meal.