Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder

Looking for the ultimate braised pork shoulder recipe? This apple cider braised pork shoulder is fall-apart tender, packed with savory-sweet flavor, and cooked low and slow in the oven for that authentic, rustic, restaurant-quality taste — perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or holiday entertaining.

📝 Ingredients

• 3.5 pounds pork shoulder (excess fat trimmed, pat dry)
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• 2 tablespoon neutral cooking oil (like light olive oil, canola, or avocado oil)
• 8 cloves garlic (minced)
• 3 sprigs thyme
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 1/2 cups unfiltered apple cider ((NOT apple cider vinegar!!))
• 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard (or Dijon)
• 1 large red onion (sliced thick)
• 2 Granny Smith apples (firm, cored and cut into quarters or eighths)
• Mashed potatoes or any starchy side
• thyme leaves

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Position a rack in your oven to the middle and preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
2. 2Heat the neutral oil in a large Dutch oven to medium high heat while you liberally sprinkle the dried pork shoulder pieces with salt pepper.
3. 3Add the pork shoulder, and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes per side. Once browned, remove and set aside on a plate or tray.
4. 4Add the garlic, thyme, and rosemary, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5. 5Add the apple cider vinegar, apple cider, chicken broth, and whole grain mustard to the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
6. 6Gently place the pork back into the pot, cover, and cook in the oven for 2~2 ½ hours or until fork tender, flipping the pork pieces about halfway through the cooking process.
7. 7Add the red onion slice and apple slices, cover, and return to the oven for another 20-30 minutes or until the apples are tender and softened. Adjust the braising liquid with salt and pepper if needed. Remove the herbs from the pot before serving.
8. 8(Optional) You can remove the pork, apples, and onions from the Dutch oven and cook down the liquid on the stovetop for about 15 minutes on high, constantly stirring, if you want a thicker sauce.
9. 9Either serve the pork in large chunks, or shred and serve. Accompany the pork with the sauce, apples, onions, and plate with mashed potatoes or your favorite starchy side! Garnish with thyme leaves if you wish and enjoy!