Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder Recipe
This Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder Recipe is the ultimate fall comfort food — perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners at home.
Ingredients
- 3 –4 lbs pork shoulder trimmed
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion sliced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 apples sliced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Pat the pork dry with paper towels.
- Season with salt and pepper evenly.
- Heat oil in the Dutch oven.
- Sear pork until golden on all sides.
- Remove pork and set aside.
- Add onions and garlic, sauté until soft.
- Stir in apples and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add cider, broth, mustard, and vinegar.
- Scrape browned bits from the bottom.
- Return pork to the pot.
- Add thyme and bay leaf.
- Cover with lid or foil.
- Transfer to oven and braise 3 hours.
- Remove lid for last 20 minutes.
- Check tenderness; pork should shred easily.
- Discard bay leaf and thyme sprigs.
- Serve warm with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Use real apple cider, not cider vinegar.
- Sear pork well to lock in flavor.
- Add a splash of cider before serving for brightness.
- Shred leftovers for sandwiches or tacos.
- Let pork rest before slicing for juicier meat.