Description

This cozy, set-it-and-forget-it pork shoulder is braised in apple cider with onions, garlic, and herbs for a tender, fall-apart Valentine’s Day dinner. The sweet, savory, and tangy flavors make it perfect for special occasions or comforting weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale

4 lbs bone-in pork shoulder
3 cups apple cider (not apple juice)
2 large yellow onions, sliced
4 garlic cloves, smashed
2 tbsp fresh thyme (or 2 tsp dried)
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp whole grain mustard (optional)
1 cup chicken stock
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Chop onions and smash garlic. Pat pork shoulder dry with paper towels.
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season pork shoulder generously with salt and pepper. Sear on all sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
Remove pork to a plate. Add onions and garlic to the pot, stirring to scrape up browned bits. Sauté until onions start to soften, about 3 minutes.
Stir in Dijon and whole grain mustards. Pour in apple cider and chicken stock. Add thyme and bay leaves. Stir and bring to a simmer.
Nestle pork shoulder back into the pot, fat side up. Cover and transfer to oven. Bake for 2.5 to 3 hours, until meat is fork-tender.
Remove pot from oven and let pork rest, covered, for 15 minutes. Skim excess fat from sauce if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Shred pork with two forks. Serve with plenty of sauce and your favorite sides.

Notes

Sear the pork well for maximum flavor. You can make this ahead—the flavors deepen overnight. If sauce is thin, simmer uncovered to reduce. Add root veggies or apples for variation. Recipe is naturally gluten-free; check mustards if sensitive.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 6 oz (170g) co
Calories: 350
Sugar: 10
Sodium: 650
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 6
Carbohydrates: 15
Fiber: 1
Protein: 29

Keywords: apple cider, pork shoulder, braised pork, Valentine’s Day, comfort food, easy dinner, slow cooked, Dutch oven, gluten-free, fall recipe