Slow Cooker Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Slices

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

A tender, fall-apart pork shoulder slow-cooked with aromatic herbs and sweet apple slices, creating a savory-sweet dish that requires minimal effort. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on pork shoulder, olive oil, minced garlic 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the 3 lbs bone-in, skin-on pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Season all sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to a slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 2 tbsp chopped rosemary, 1 tbsp chopped thyme, and 1 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Pour this mixture over the pork in the slow cooker.
  4. Step 4: Arrange 2 medium cored and sliced apples around the pork. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork and apples. Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid. Return the pork to the slow cooker to warm through and serve with apples and sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Slices 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 Slices?

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 olive oil from drying out.

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

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 Slices 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 Cooker Herb-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Slices?

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.

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