Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder - Slow Cook Meat Dishes for Autumn & Fall Family Dinner

There’s nothing that screams cozy season louder than a big pot of tender, juicy pork bubbling away in the oven. This Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder is exactly that kind of vibe—warm, comforting, and basically the culinary equivalent of your favorite fall sweater. If you’re into Slow Cook Meat Recipes that make your whole house smell like a perfect October day, buckle up, because this one’s a keeper.

Picture this: pork shoulder slowly melting into a pool of fresh apple cider, sweet onions, crisp apples, and a handful of herbs that remind you why you love cooking in the first place. It’s the kind of dish that lands right at the top of the Fall Pork Shoulder Recipes lineup…and IMO, it deserves its own trophy. And yes, it goes perfectly over mashed potatoes—because honestly, what doesn’t?

One of the best parts? This meal looks fancy but takes almost zero effort. A quick sear, a little chopping, a splash of cider, and boom—the oven takes over. That means while your pork is transforming into fall-apart magic, you’re free to do…well, anything else. More time to sip cider? Absolutely. More time to scroll recipes you’ll never make? Same.

Plus, let’s talk budget. Pork shoulder feeds a crowd without emptying your wallet, making it perfect for Large Family Recipes Dinners or casual get-togethers. And since everything cooks in one pot, it totally earns its spot among your go-to Fall One Pot Recipes and cozy Autumn Meat Dishes.

If you’ve been craving Fresh Fall Meals, Fresh Fall Dinner Recipes, or even planning out Fall Crockpot Recipes Pork style (FYI, this works great in a slow cooker too), this recipe checks all the boxes. It’s hearty, seasonal, reliable, and downright delicious. Honestly? Load up a plate, take one bite, and tell me this isn’t your new favorite of all the Dinner Recipes Pork Loin or shoulder dishes you’ve ever tried.

Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder - Slow Cook Meat Dishes for Autumn & Fall Family Dinner

This fall-inspired pork shoulder is braised low and slow in a fragrant mix of fresh apple cider, savory herbs, onions, and sweet-tart apples. Perfect for Autumn Meat Dishes and a warm, comforting dinner that feeds a crowd.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 3 hours 45 minutes | Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Servings: 6–8 | Author: Aleda | Category: Dinner

Ingredients

• 4–5 lb pork shoulder or Boston butt roast*
• 2 tbsp neutral cooking oil
• 2 cups fresh apple cider* (do not use cider vinegar)
• 2 cups chicken stock or broth
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp dehydrated minced onion
• 1 head garlic, top sliced off to expose cloves
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 large red onion, thickly sliced
• 2 firm, slightly tart apples*, peeled and cut into wedges
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Prep the oven & pork: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Trim any excessive fat from the pork, then cut it into 3–4 large chunks—or leave it whole if it’s bone-in. Pat the pork dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Sear the pork: Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the pork pieces in a single layer and sear each side for 4–5 minutes until deeply browned. You may need to do this in batches depending on your pot size.
3. Mix the braising liquid: In a bowl, whisk together the apple cider, chicken stock, Dijon mustard, and dehydrated minced onion. Set aside. Tie rosemary and thyme sprigs together with kitchen twine to make a small herb bundle.
4. Braise the pork: Place the browned pork back in the Dutch oven and pour the cider mixture over it. Nestle in the garlic head and herb bundle. Cover and transfer to the oven.
5. Cook low and slow: Bake for roughly 3 hours, checking around 2½ hours for boneless cuts. Flip the pork halfway through cooking. When the pork is nearly fork-tender, remove from oven and tuck in the apple wedges and onion slices. Cover again and cook another 30–45 minutes until the pork is fully tender.
6. Rest & serve: Let the pork sit in the braising liquid for 30 minutes after removing from the oven. Squeeze roasted garlic into the liquid or directly over the pork. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve the pork with apples, onions, and spoonfuls of the braising juices over the top.

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