Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze
Tender pork shoulder braised with aromatic onions and a tangy-sweet apple cider glaze, perfect for a comforting weeknight meal. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 275 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 4 lb pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 lb pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Rub with 2 tbsp olive oil and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Place pork shoulder in a large oven-safe Dutch oven. Scatter 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves around the pork.
- Step 3: Whisk 1/2 cup apple cider, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp dried thyme in a small bowl. Pour mixture over pork and onions.
- Step 4: Cover Dutch oven with lid and bake at 300°F for 4 hours, or until pork is fork-tender.
- Step 5: Remove lid, increase oven temperature to 400°F, and roast uncovered for 20 minutes to crisp the surface.
- Step 6: Let pork rest 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with pan juices.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 275 minutes (15 min prep + 260 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 Cider 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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider 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-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider 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-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze?
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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Love how the American come through in every bite.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 260-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
