Slow-Simmered Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze

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

Tender pork shoulder braised until fall-apart tender, finished with a sweet-tart apple cider glaze that caramelizes beautifully. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, large, thinly sliced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2.5 lbs pork shoulder, skin-side down, in slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: Top with 1 large thinly sliced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, then sprinkle 1 cup apple cider, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp dried thyme over the pork.
  3. Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours until pork pulls apart easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: Transfer pork to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest 15 minutes. Strain cooking liquid into a small saucepan, discarding solids.
  5. Step 5: Simmer strained liquid over medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes until reduced by half and thickened into a glossy glaze, stirring occasionally until it coats the back of a spoon.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 495 minutes (15 min prep + 480 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-Simmered 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-Simmered 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-Simmered 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-Simmered Pork Shoulder with Apple Cider 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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