Description
Savory apple cider braised pork shoulder delivers a hearty French-inspired comfort meal that melts in your mouth. Tender meat infused with rich seasonal flavors promises a delightful culinary experience you can easily create at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4.5 lbs (2 kg) pork shoulder (bone-in or boneless)
- 2 cups (480 ml) apple cider (not vinegar)
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken or beef broth
- 2 large apples, cored and sliced (Honeycrisp or Fuji)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps brown sugar
- 2 tbsps Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1.5 tsps salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsps dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Instructions
- Seasoning Prep: Thoroughly dry the pork shoulder and create a robust spice blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and thyme. Massage the mixture comprehensively across the entire meat surface for maximum flavor absorption.
- Searing and Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Expertly sear the pork until a golden-brown crust develops, creating a flavorful exterior. Remove meat and quickly sauté sliced onions and minced garlic in the same pot, releasing their aromatic essences.
- Liquid Foundation: Deglaze the pot with apple cider, broth, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Whisk vigorously to incorporate all elements and lift the caramelized bits from the pot’s bottom. Introduce sliced apples, bay leaves, and a cinnamon stick to enhance the braising liquid’s complexity.
- Slow Cooking Process: Return the seared pork to the pot, submerging it in the fragrant liquid. Select your preferred cooking method:
Oven: Bake at 325F (160C) for 3-4 hours
Slow cooker: Simmer on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours
Stovetop: Gently simmer over low heat for 3-4 hours
- Finishing Touches: Once the meat reaches fall-apart tenderness, remove and rest for 10 minutes. Shred or slice as desired. Reduce the braising liquid by simmering uncovered for 10-15 minutes until slightly thickened. Serve the succulent pork generously draped with the rich, concentrated sauce.
Notes
- Master Meat Drying: Thoroughly pat pork shoulder completely dry before seasoning to ensure perfect crispy sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Balance Spice Coating: Create an even, generous seasoning layer by mixing spices beforehand and patting them firmly onto meat surface for maximum flavor penetration.
- Control Searing Temperature: Use medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding pan to achieve golden-brown crust without burning meat, which develops deep caramelized flavors.
- Choose Cooking Method Wisely: Select cooking technique based on available time – oven provides consistent heat, slow cooker offers convenience, stovetop allows more direct monitoring of braising process.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg