Slow-Cooker Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder with a sweet-tart apple compote, perfect for effortless weeknight dinners. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder roast, olive oil, fresh thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 calories and feeds 8, 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.

★ 4.2 (13 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 8 American cuisine 390 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 3 lbs pork shoulder dry and season generously with salt and black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; sear pork on all sides for 2-3 minutes per side until deeply browned.
  2. Step 2: Transfer seared pork to slow cooker. Stir 3 tbsp chopped thyme, 2 tbsp chopped rosemary, and 6 minced garlic cloves into the slow cooker. Add diced apples, diced onion, 1/2 cup apple cider, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 cup chicken broth.
  3. Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 5 hours until pork is fork-tender and easily shreds.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork and let rest 10 minutes. Strain cooking liquid into a saucepan, bring to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes until reduced by half. Shred pork, return to saucepan, and toss to coat. Serve with reduced sauce and extra compote.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooker Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 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-Cooker Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote?

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 roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooker Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote?

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-Cooker Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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-Cooker Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote?

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