Slow-Cooked Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apples

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

Tender pork shoulder braised in a sweet-tart maple glaze with caramelized apples and onions, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes pairs pork shoulder, pure maple syrup, apple cider vinegar 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.

★ 4.3 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 3 lb pork shoulder in the slow cooker and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Whisk 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl until smooth; pour over the pork shoulder.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle 1 tsp dried thyme over the pork, then arrange 1 sliced Honeycrisp apple and 1 sliced onion around the pork.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6 hours until the pork is fork-tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with the apple-onion mixture and pan juices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apples take to make?

Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 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 Maple-Glazed 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 pork shoulder from drying out.

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