Slow-Cooked Maple-Glazed Pork with Root Vegetables
A comforting, fall-off-the-bone pork dish with caramelized root vegetables, ideal for a family dinner after a Minnesota auction weekend. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs trimmed pork shoulder, cubed golden beets, chopped carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, trimmed pork shoulder
- 1 cup, cubed golden beets
- 1 cup, chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup, sliced onion
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then season evenly with salt, pepper, and rosemary.
- Step 2: Place pork shoulder in slow cooker, then arrange beets, carrots, and sliced onion around it.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and minced garlic until combined.
- Step 4: Pour the maple mixture over the pork and vegetables, ensuring even coating.
- Step 5: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, or until pork is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
- Step 6: Carefully remove pork, slice, and serve with vegetables and the reduced cooking liquid spooned over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Maple-Glazed Pork with Root Vegetables 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 Maple-Glazed Pork with Root Vegetables?
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 trimmed pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Maple-Glazed Pork with Root Vegetables?
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 with Root Vegetables 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 with Root Vegetables?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the American come through in every bite.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.