Slow Cooker Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple

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

Tender pork shoulder braised with caramelized apples and maple syrup, creating a sweet-savory glaze that shatters on contact. This american-inspired slow cooker (gluten-free) ready in about 490 minutes pairs pork shoulder, maple syrup, apple for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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.

★ 4.1 (12 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 2 lbs pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Season evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Place pork shoulder in a slow cooker insert. Top with 2 diced medium apples, 1 chopped medium onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves.
  3. Step 3: Whisk 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1/2 cup chicken broth, and 1 tsp dried thyme in a small bowl. Pour over the pork and vegetables.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until pork is fork-tender and easily pulls apart.
  5. Step 5: Carefully transfer pork to a cutting board. Strain cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a small saucepan, discarding solids. Simmer over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes until reduced by half and glossy, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple take to make?

Total time is about 490 minutes (10 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 Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple?

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 Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple?

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 Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple 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.

Is Slow Cooker Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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