Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Thyme
Tender pork shoulder roasted low and slow with crisp apples and aromatic thyme for a deeply flavorful, fall-apart main course. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 225 minutes pairs trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder, olive oil, large, thinly sliced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, thinly sliced onion
- 3 medium, cored and sliced apples
- 2 tbsp, leaves chopped fresh thyme
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat 2 lbs pork shoulder dry and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Sear pork shoulder on all sides for 5 minutes per side until browned. Remove pork and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 thinly sliced large onion to the pot and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add 3 sliced medium apples and 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, cooking for 2 minutes more.
- Step 4: Return pork to the pot and pour in 1 cup chicken broth. Cover with a lid.
- Step 5: Transfer to oven and roast for 3 to 3.5 hours, or until pork is fork-tender and easily pulls apart.
- Step 6: Remove pork, let rest for 10 minutes, then slice. Serve with the apple-onion mixture.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 225 minutes (15 min prep + 210 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 Thyme?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Thyme?
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 Thyme 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-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple and Thyme?
American one pot 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
- ★★★★★
Loved it! So easy and flavorful. Made it for a dinner party and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★☆
Great recipe, but the apples turned to mush. Next time I'll use firmer apples. Still delicious though.
- ★★★★☆
Tasted great, but the cooking time was longer than the recipe said. I'd add 30 minutes next time.
