Description
Savor the warmth of Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder, a quintessential fall dish that combines tender pork with the sweet and tangy essence of apple cider. This one-pot meal slow-cooks the pork shoulder in a savory reduction of cider, onions, and herbs, resulting in deeply rich flavors that are perfect for cozy family dinners or festive gatherings. With minimal prep time and effortless cooking, this hearty recipe is designed to make your autumn evenings memorable. Serve it alongside mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up every drop of the delicious sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds bone-in pork shoulder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large onions, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Fresh thyme and rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Season pork with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sear the pork until browned on all sides (5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onions for 5 minutes; add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Deglaze with apple cider, then add chicken broth, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard.
- Return the pork to the pot along with thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
- Cover and transfer to the oven; braise for about 3-4 hours until fork-tender.
- Let rest before slicing or shredding to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approximately 200g)
- Calories: 335
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 100mg