Slow Cooker Herb Pork Shoulder with Apple and Carrot Medley

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

Succulent pork shoulder slow-cooked with crisp apples and carrots, creating a naturally sweet and savory dish that’s perfect for family dinners. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe (whole30), ready in about 380 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, apples, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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 of excess fat pork shoulder
• 2 medium, cored and chopped into 1-inch chunks apples
• 2 medium, peeled and chopped into 1-inch chunks carrots
• 1 large, chopped onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 tbsp, fresh, chopped rosemary
• 2 tbsp, fresh, chopped thyme
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the pork shoulder with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil and sear the pork shoulder for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown; transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Step 2: Add 1 chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add 2 tbsp olive oil and cook the chopped apples and carrots for 3 minutes until slightly softened.
3. Step 3: Transfer the apple and carrot mixture to the slow cooker. Add 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, 2 tbsp fresh thyme, and 1 cup chicken broth. Stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours, or until pork is fork-tender and vegetables are tender.