Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder
A tender, fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder slow-cooked with a sweet and tangy honey glaze for effortless entertaining. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, honey, apple cider vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 yellow onion
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 3 lbs trimmed pork shoulder in the slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried rosemary, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; pour over the pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Add 1 sliced yellow onion on top of the pork.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is fork-tender. Remove the pork and onions; strain the cooking liquid to remove solids.
- Step 4: Skim off excess fat from the cooking liquid, then return it to the slow cooker and simmer on high for 15 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly. Slice the pork and serve with the reduced glaze.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder take to make?
Total time is about 495 minutes (15 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 Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder?
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 Cooker Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder?
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 Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder 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 Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder?
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
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
