Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary
Tender pork shoulder braised with sweet apple compote and aromatic rosemary, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, large, finely chopped onion, minced garlic 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 medium, peeled and diced apples
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons, chopped rosemary
- 1 teaspoon, dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and place it in the slow cooker. Season evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, diced apples, apple cider, chopped rosemary, and dried thyme on top of the pork, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and pulls away from the bone.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary 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 Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary?
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 Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary?
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 Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary 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 Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary?
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
- ★★★★★
I've tried many slow cooker recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
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