Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Spiced Apple Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder finished with a sweet and warming apple glaze infused with cinnamon and clove. This general-inspired pork ready in about 230 minutes pairs pork shoulder, salt, black pepper 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: 20 min Cook: 210 min Serves 6 General cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F. Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp ground cloves.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork shoulder on all sides until browned and caramelized, about 3 minutes per side.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 1 cup apple cider, 1/2 cup apple juice, and 2 tbsp brown sugar until sugar dissolves. Pour this glaze over pork.
  4. Step 4: Transfer skillet to the oven and roast uncovered for 3 to 3.5 hours, basting pork every hour with the glaze, until the meat is very tender and easily pulls apart.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shredding to serve.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Spiced Apple Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 230 minutes (20 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 Spiced Apple 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 Spiced Apple 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 Spiced Apple 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 Spiced Apple Glaze?

General pork 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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