Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Fennel Slaw

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

Tender, slow-roasted pork shoulder served alongside a crisp, tangy apple and fennel slaw for a balanced Whole30 meal with bright flavors. This american-inspired whole30 (whole30) ready in about 315 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, olive oil, sea salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 300 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F. Rub 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder with 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Place in a roasting pan.
  2. Step 2: Roast pork shoulder uncovered for 4-5 hours until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is fork-tender.
  3. Step 3: While pork roasts, combine 1 large julienned green apple and 1 medium thinly sliced fennel bulb in a bowl. Toss with 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley to make a crisp slaw.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before shredding with two forks. Serve the shredded pork alongside the apple-fennel slaw for a refreshing Whole30 plate.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Fennel Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 315 minutes (15 min prep + 300 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-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Fennel Slaw?

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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Fennel Slaw?

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-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Fennel Slaw 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-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Fennel Slaw whole30?

Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes