Description

A comforting fall recipe featuring tender pork shoulder braised in apple cider with fresh herbs and vegetables, perfect for cozy gatherings or family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

4–5 lbs pork shoulder, bone-in
3 cups apple cider (fresh or unfiltered)
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth (low sodium)
2 medium yellow onions, sliced thinly
4 cloves garlic, minced
4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
2–3 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 whole bay leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
4–5 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
2 medium apples, cored and sliced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
2 tbsp butter (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
Season the pork shoulder generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown.
Remove the pork shoulder from the Dutch oven and set it aside.
In the same pot, add the sliced onions and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add the apple cider and broth to the pot, scraping the bottom to release any flavorful bits. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Return the pork shoulder to the pot, nestling it into the liquid. Add thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, carrots, and apples around the meat.
Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and transfer it to the oven. Braise for 3-4 hours, checking occasionally to ensure the liquid isn’t evaporating too quickly. Add more broth or water if needed.
After 3-4 hours, the pork should be fork-tender. Remove it from the pot and let it rest for 10 minutes before shredding or slicing.
If desired, strain the cooking liquid and simmer it on the stovetop with 2 tablespoons of butter for about 10 minutes to create a velvety sauce.
Serve the pork shoulder with the sauce poured over the top and alongside roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.

Notes

[‘Sear the meat thoroughly to lock in flavor.’, ‘Use fresh herbs for maximum aroma and depth of flavor.’, ‘Let the pork rest for 10 minutes before serving to retain moisture.’, ‘Monitor liquid levels during braising and add more broth if needed.’, ‘For a sweeter profile, add honey or maple syrup to the apple cider mixture.’]

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3-4 hours
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approximately 1/6 to
Calories: 450
Sugar: 10
Sodium: 600
Fat: 25
Saturated Fat: 8
Carbohydrates: 15
Fiber: 3
Protein: 35

Keywords: apple cider, braised pork, fall recipe, comfort food, pork shoulder, autumn dinner