Smithfield Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple-Cider Glaze
A tender, fall-apart pork shoulder slow-cooked with a sweet-tangy apple-cider glaze, inspired by America's most common surname. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 525 minutes pairs pork shoulder butt, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 8, 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
- 3 lbs pork shoulder butt
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F. Pat pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then rub with 1.5 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp smoked paprika, pressing evenly into the meat.
- Step 2: Place onion in a roasting pan, then set pork shoulder on top. Roast uncovered for 4 hours, basting every 45 minutes with 1/4 cup chicken broth.
- Step 3: Mix apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp Dijon mustard in a bowl until smooth. After 4 hours, brush glaze over pork, add 1/2 cup chicken broth to pan, and continue roasting for 1 more hour until internal temperature reaches 195°F and meat pulls apart easily.
- Step 4: Let rest 20 minutes before slicing. Discard excess fat from pan, then reduce pan juices to a glossy glaze (about 10 minutes on medium-high heat) to spoon over slices.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smithfield Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple-Cider Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 525 minutes (25 min prep + 500 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 Smithfield Smoked 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 butt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smithfield Smoked 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 Smithfield Smoked Pork Shoulder with Apple-Cider Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Smithfield Smoked 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
