Slow-Cooked Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apples

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 ready in about 495 minutes pairs trimmed of excess fat 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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Step 2: Pour the honey-mustard mixture over the pork shoulder, then top with 1 finely chopped yellow onion and 2 cups diced apples.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Step 5: Serve the pork shoulder over rice or with crusty bread for a hearty meal.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apples 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 Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apples?

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 honey from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apples?

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 Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apples 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 Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apples?

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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