Slow-Cooker Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple & Rosemary

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder with sweet-tart apples and aromatic rosemary, cooked low and slow. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder roast, honey, apple cider vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 3.8 (12 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat pork shoulder dry, then rub with 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp rosemary, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Place onion and garlic in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, then set pork on top. Top with remaining 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp vinegar, and 1 tbsp rosemary.
  3. Step 3: Add apples on top of pork. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours until pork is fork-tender and pulls apart easily.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork and apples, tent with foil. Skim excess fat from cooking liquid, then reduce liquid on high for 15 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Step 5: Slice pork, arrange with apples on a platter, and drizzle with reduced sauce. Garnish with extra rosemary.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooker Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple & Rosemary 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 Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple & Rosemary?

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 Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple & Rosemary?

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 with Apple & Rosemary 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 with Apple & Rosemary?

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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