Slow-Cooked Rosemary & Garlic Pork Shoulder with Apples

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-apart tender pork shoulder braised with aromatic herbs and sweet apples, creating a deeply flavorful dish that requires minimal effort for maximum comfort. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, large onions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, 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.

★ 3.9 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season the pork shoulder with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the pork shoulder for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned, transferring it to a 6-quart slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then add 2 chopped onions and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp chopped rosemary, 1 tbsp dried thyme, 1 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 tsp Dijon mustard to the skillet, stirring for 1 minute to combine. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1/2 cup apple cider, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
  4. Step 4: Add the apple slices to the slow cooker, then pour the sauce mixture over the pork. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours until pork is fork-tender.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Rosemary & Garlic 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 Rosemary & Garlic 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 Rosemary & Garlic 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 Rosemary & Garlic Pork Shoulder with Apples for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Rosemary & Garlic 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes