Slow-Simmered Wild Rice and Pork Shoulder with Apple
A comforting dish where tender pork shoulder melds with earthy wild rice and sweet apple in a rich broth, perfect for cool evenings. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pounds pork shoulder, wild rice, medium apple 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds pork shoulder
- 1 cup wild rice
- 1 medium apple
- 1 large carrot
- 1 medium onion
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim excess fat from pork shoulder, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Place in a slow cooker.
- Step 2: Dice apple and carrot into 1/2-inch pieces, then finely chop onion. Add to slow cooker with 1 cup wild rice, 4 cups chicken stock, 2 teaspoons thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 3: Stir to combine, then cook on low for 8 hours until pork is fork-tender and rice is fully cooked.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Wild Rice and Pork Shoulder with Apple take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 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 Wild Rice and Pork Shoulder with Apple?
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 pounds pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Wild Rice and Pork Shoulder with Apple?
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 Wild Rice and Pork Shoulder with Apple 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 Wild Rice and Pork Shoulder with Apple?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this slow-simmered are incredible.
Related recipes
Slow-Cooked Maple-Glazed Pulled Pork with Apple and Onion
Slow-Cooked Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple Compote
Slow Cooker Apple-Cinnamon Pork Shoulder
Slow-Cooked Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple
Slow Cooker Maple-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple and Rosemary
Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Pickled Onions
