Slow-Imbibe Pork Shoulder with Honey-Ginger Glaze

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

A fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder that absorbs aromatic spices and sweet glaze during a low-and-slow cook. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 735 minutes pairs pork shoulder butt, coarse sea salt, black peppercorns 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 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: 15 min Cook: 720 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the 3 lbs pork shoulder dry, then rub with 1.5 tbsp coarse sea salt, 1 tbsp black peppercorns, and 1 tsp dried thyme, pressing gently to adhere.
  2. Step 2: Place pork shoulder fat-side up in a 6-quart slow cooker, cover with lid, and cook on LOW for 8 hours until fork-tender.
  3. Step 3: Carefully remove pork, then whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger, and 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce in a small bowl until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Brush the glaze evenly over the pork, return to slow cooker, and cook uncovered on HIGH for 15 minutes until glaze bubbles and thickens slightly.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Imbibe Pork Shoulder with Honey-Ginger Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 735 minutes (15 min prep + 720 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-Imbibe Pork Shoulder with Honey-Ginger Glaze?

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 butt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Imbibe Pork Shoulder with Honey-Ginger Glaze?

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-Imbibe Pork Shoulder with Honey-Ginger Glaze 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-Imbibe Pork Shoulder with Honey-Ginger Glaze?

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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