Apple Braised Pork Shoulder

Switch up your main holiday dish this season with this tender Apple Braised Pork Shoulder made with Cosmic Crisp® Apples. There is something so cozy about braising: it’s simple to throw together and fills the house with a warming, delicious aroma that has everyone anxiously waiting for dinner to be ready! I love this Apple Braised Pork Shoulder because it takes about 20 minutes to get into the oven and requires minimal effort once it’s in the oven. The Cosmic Crisp® Apples add a perfect amount of sweetness alongside Two Towns Cosmic Crisp Cider as a part of the braising liquid. Serve alongside your favorite side dishes or on top of mashed potatoes for a warm and cozy holiday meal.

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Why You’ll Love This Apple Braised Pork Shoulder

Sweet and Savory: This recipe has the best of both worlds, combining sweet apples with savory notes like whole grain mustard and red onion- all of which compliment the pork so well.

Easy to Make: Braising can be daunting to some, but it’s actually one of the easiest cooking methods! This recipe requires browning the meat and throwing in the rest of the ingredients and letting the oven do all of the magical work.

Crowd Pleaser: Braising allows you to cook a larger amount of meat in one pot, making cooking for a crowd easy. The tender, fall-off-the-bone pork will have everyone coming back for more.

Cozy Herbs: Fresh thyme and rosemary take this dish to the next level with their aromatic and cozy flavors.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 4-5 pound bone-in pork shoulder
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 can Two Towns Non Alcoholic Cosmic Crisp® Cider
• 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
• 5 garlic cloves
• 3-4 cups chicken broth
• 3 thyme sprigs
• 1 rosemary sprig, leaves removed
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 Cosmic Crisp® Apples, sliced

How to Make Braised Pork with Cosmic Crisp® Apples

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Pat the pork shoulder dry and generously season each side with salt and pepper. 

Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat and add the olive oil once hot. Sear each side of the pork shoulder for about 3-5 minutes until browned. Remove from the pan.

Deglaze the pan with the can of cider, and simmer for about 2-3 minutes. 

Add the mustard and garlic and stir. 

Place the meat back into the pot and pour 3-4 cups of chicken broth into the pan or until the pork is just about covered but the top is still sticking out. 

Bring to a simmer, then cover and place into the oven for 3 hours.

Remove the pot from the oven and add the sliced onion and apple onto the top, then cover and place back into the oven for another hour. Leave covered on the stovetop for 20 minutes.The apples should be super soft and the meat should be fork tender/falling off the bone.

Remove the thyme from the pot and remove the meat from the bone. Use two forks to shred the meat slightly and place onto a serving platter. Top with the cooked apples, onions, and a generous amount of the cooking liquid left in the pot.  Serve alongside your favorite starch and veggie and enjoy!

Why Choose Cosmic Crisp® Apples?

I love working with Cosmic Crisp® Apples because they have just the right amount of sweetness and the perfect flavor profile to serve alongside a main like pork. Although they hold their shape when they cook, they become soft and resemble the texture of applesauce after braising when you bite into them. This dish feels like an elevated version of the classic pork chops and applesauce. The Cosmic Crisp® Apples are the best fit for this dish and are oh-so delicious.

Serving Suggestions for Apple Braised Pork Shoulder

Holiday Dinners: serve as your holiday main this year alongside your favorite side dishes. Take your Cosmic Crisp® game up a notch and serve alongside our maple roasted carrots and Cosmic Crisp® Apples!

Weeknight Meal Prep: braise on a Sunday while you’re at home on the weekend and have a few dinners ready so you save time during the week!

Food Pairings: serve alongside a cozy plate of mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, rice, green beans, broccoli, or any other veggie of choice to make a complete meal.

Make a Gravy: strain the braising liquid and thicken with cornstarch or flour to make a gravy to go over the top of the pork!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I don’t have fresh rosemary or thyme?
A: You can substitute with ½ teaspoon dried rosemary and ½ teaspoon dried thyme. The flavor will be a bit more concentrated, so use less. Alternatively you can use any other herbs that you have on hand or sound good!

Q: How far can I prep ahead?
A: You can 100% make this recipe ahead of time then reheat in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until completely heated through.