Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Apple and Sage
Fall-apart tender pork shoulder braised with tart apples and fresh sage, creating a rich, savory-sweet sauce perfect for mashed potatoes. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 260 minutes pairs pork shoulder, honey, apple for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 485 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
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 medium apple
- 4 tbsp sage
- 1 large onion
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat pork dry and season with salt and pepper. Sear in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes per side.
- Step 2: Remove pork and set aside. Melt butter in the same pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent.
- Step 3: Dice apples into 1/2-inch cubes. Add to pot with honey, 2 tbsp sage, and cook for 3 minutes until apples soften slightly.
- Step 4: Return pork to pot. Add chicken broth, cover, and transfer to a 275°F (135°C) oven. Braise for 4 hours until pork is fork-tender.
- Step 5: Remove pork and set aside. Skim excess fat from the pot. Whisk flour into the remaining liquid until smooth, then cook for 2 minutes. Add remaining sage and simmer until thickened. Slice pork and serve with sauce and apples.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Apple and Sage take to make?
Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 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 Sage?
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 Sage?
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 Sage 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 Sage?
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
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
