Slow Cooker Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apple Slices
Fall-apart tender pork shoulder braised in a sweet-tangy glaze, served with roasted apples for natural sweetness. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, honey, Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 385 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 medium apple
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2 lbs pork shoulder, 1 large diced onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves in slow cooker.
- Step 2: Whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 cup chicken broth, and 1 tsp dried thyme; pour over pork and vegetables.
- Step 3: Add 2 medium thinly sliced apples on top; cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork pulls apart easily with a fork.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Honey-Mustard Pork Shoulder with Apple Slices 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-Mustard 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 pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Honey-Mustard 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 Honey-Mustard 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 Honey-Mustard 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This is my new weeknight go-to. The pork was so tender I could pull it apart with a fork, and the apples balanced the mustard perfectly.
- ★★★★★
Easy slow-cooker magic! The apples softened beautifully without turning to mush, and the sweet-savory glaze made my whole house smell amazing.
- ★★★★★
The pork melted off the bone and the honey-mustard sauce with apples was perfection. Served with roasted veggies and it was a hit at my Sunday dinner.
