Slow Cooker Apple-Rosemary Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-12 · Updated 2026-04-12

Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with sweet apples and aromatic rosemary, creating a rich, savory sauce perfect for weeknight comfort. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 555 minutes, pairs Pork shoulder, Honey, Apple cider for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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
• 1/4 cup Honey
• 1/2 cup Apple cider
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp Fresh rosemary
• 2 Granny Smith apples
• 1 Yellow onion
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil

Slow cookers worth buying for this → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season 3 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then pat dry with paper towels. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear the pork shoulder on all sides for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply browned.
2. Step 2: Transfer the seared pork shoulder to a slow cooker. Add 1/4 cup honey, 1/2 cup apple cider, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 3 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 2 peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples, 1 chopped yellow onion, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and easily shreds.