Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder

Apple cider and pork? Get it in my stomach! This Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder is an autumn dream. The pork is first seared till good and crispy, then braised within the oven in apple cider. It’s oh-so-tender and stuffed with fall taste!

A roasted pork shoulder with a crispy exterior is surrounded by browned red potatoes and sprigs of rosemary on a white serving plate.

Ooof, what a hunk of meat! I can’t wait to serve this braised pork shoulder at my cabin for the fam. Not solely will it get wolfed up immediately, however it’s additionally SO simple to arrange and might be made forward of time. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it sort of pork roast — good for a cabin weekend.

Simply season the pork shoulder after which sear it. Add the pork, potatoes, apples, and apple cider right into a Dutch oven and bake till the pork is lusciously fork tender. Yumz.

The Major Fixings for Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder

Pork shoulder: Nothing goes higher with apples than pork! The fats within the pork shoulder retains it good and moist whereas cooking, making it the proper lower for braising.
Pork seasoning: You may make your individual pork rub or use your favourite store-bought mix. A easy mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika will do the trick.
Apple cider: The star of the present! Use pure apple cider for the most effective taste.
Worcestershire sauce: This provides a depth of taste and balances out the sweetness of the apple cider.
Honeycrisp apple: Thinly sliced and added to the braising liquid, these apples will infuse their scrumptious taste into the pork.
Child crimson potatoes: These little taters maintain their form effectively throughout cooking and take in all of the flavors of the dish.
Contemporary herbs: Contemporary rosemary and thyme add a aromatic and earthy factor to the dish.
Dutch oven: You’ll want a heavy, oven-safe pot for braising the pork.

A cooked, browned piece of meat in a white pot, showing seared and crispy edges.

We extremely suggest utilizing apple cider as an alternative of apple juice on this recipe. Apple cider has a richer, extra concentrated taste that can give your braised pork shoulder a deeper, extra complicated style. If you happen to should use apple juice, we recommend including a splash of apple cider vinegar to the liquid for added depth.

After all! Honeycrisp apples are our prime decide for this recipe due to their sweet-tart taste and agency texture that holds up effectively throughout cooking. Nevertheless, you need to use any sort of apple you favor or have readily available. Simply understand that the flavour and texture could differ barely.

A cooked pork roast with a crispy exterior, surrounded by red potatoes, apple slices, and sprigs of rosemary in a white cast iron pot.

Easy methods to Make a Scrumptious Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder

Cooking up a complete pork shoulder could seem intimidating, however belief me, it’s simpler than you suppose! Comply with these easy steps, and also you’ll have a mouthwatering dish very quickly.

Season Pork: Therapeutic massage the pork shoulder with kosher salt and pork seasoning, coating it fully with spices. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for no less than two hours.
Sear: Subsequent, preheat the oven to 325ºF. Warmth oil in a big Dutch oven over excessive warmth. Sear both sides of the pork shoulder for 2-3 minutes or till browned. Take away it from the pot as soon as all sides have been browned.
Make Sauce: Deglaze the pot with ½ cup of apple cider vinegar and scrape the brown bits from the underside. Add the remainder of the apple cider, Worcestershire, onion, and garlic to the pot and whisk to mix. Add the potatoes and apples and toss to coat.
Bake: Nestle the pork shoulder in between the entire greens and add the contemporary herbs. Cowl and bake for 3-3.5 hours, basting the pork with the apple cider each hour or so.
Relaxation & Serve: When the pork reaches 200ºF or is definitely shreddable with a fork, take away it from the oven. Let the meat relaxation for 10 minutes. As soon as rested, take away the herb stems from the pot and shred the pork. Serve with accompanied greens and any remaining apple cider sauce. Take pleasure in!

A cooked pot roast with potatoes and onions in a white enameled cast iron pot.

Pork is fit for human consumption as soon as it reaches an inside temperature of 145ºF (USDA), however as a result of we’re cooking low and sluggish, the aim is to get it to achieve 200ºF in order that the meat can tenderize and break right down to be simpler to shred.

Basting is a vital step on this recipe as a result of it helps maintain the pork moist and flavorful. The apple cider not solely provides taste to the dish but in addition helps maintain the pork from drying out because it cooks.

A roasted pork shoulder is served on a white plate, accompanied by red potatoes, onions, and garnished with rosemary sprigs. A white cloth is partially visible on the side.

This dish makes for excellent leftovers! Retailer any remaining pork shoulder in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3-4 days.

To reheat, merely warmth it up on the range or within the microwave till warmed by way of.

A close-up of a seasoned, cooked roast surrounded by whole red potatoes and fresh rosemary sprigs on a white platter. A fork and knife are set to the side.

What to Serve with This Apple Cider Pork Roast

We’ve acquired the pork, we’ve acquired the potatoes, so what else would style delish with this apple cider pork shoulder? Listed below are a number of concepts to get you began:

Therapeutic massage the pork shoulder with kosher salt and pork seasoning. Ensure the entire pork shoulder is coated in spices. Wrap in plastic wrap and switch to the fridge for no less than two hours.
Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Warmth oil in a big Dutch oven over excessive warmth. Sear both sides of the pork shoulder for 2-3 minutes or till browned. Take away it from the pot as soon as all sides have been browned.
Deglaze the pot with ½ cup of apple cider vinegar and scrape the brown bits from the underside of the pot. Add the remainder of the apple cider, Worcestershire, onion, and garlic to the pot and whisk to mix. Add the potatoes and apples and toss to coat.
Nestle the pork shoulder in between the entire greens and add the contemporary herbs. Cowl and bake for 3-3.5 hours, basting the pork with the apple cider each hour or so.
When the pork reaches 200ºF or is definitely shreddable with a fork, take away the pork from the oven.
Let the meat relaxation for 10 minutes. Take away the herb stems from the pot and shred the pork. Serve with accompanied greens and any remaining apple cider sauce.

We extremely suggest utilizing apple cider as an alternative of apple juice.
You’ll discover that we suggest cooking your pork ought to roast till the inner temperature reaches 200ºF. It is because we wish it to be simply shredded.
Pork is fit for human consumption as soon as it reaches an inside temperature of 145ºF (USDA), however as a result of we’re cooking low and sluggish, the aim is to get it to achieve 200ºF in order that the meat can tenderize and break right down to be simpler to shred.

Energy: 657 kcal, Carbohydrates: 44 g, Protein: 60 g, Fats: 26 g, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 11 g

Vitamin info is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

Pictures: photographs taken on this submit are by Erin from The Picket Skillet.