Cider Braised Pork Roast
There’s few things that say Fall or Winter like this comforting Cider Braised Pork Roast. If you are looking for a great Dinner Party recipe, or just something for a cozy night in, you have found it! This is so easy to make, because once it starts braising it is hands off until it’s ready. I have included instructions for both the oven and the slow cooker, so you can use whatever method works for you!
Recently, I took a class in Whole Hog Butchery, and learned so much about good quality pork and which cuts are best for different applications, some of which I’ll share with you here so that you can buy the best pork for this recipe.
I love learning new things, especially when I get to share them with you. As a food service professional, I am always trying to expand my knowledge to further help you improve your cooking skills and broaden your horizons with each recipe you make from this site!
I make braised pork every year when the cool weather starts to roll in. It’s a real bone warmer for sure. It’s especially great with these mashed potatoes with roasted garlic and this Fall salad. Living in the PNW, I’m surrounded by apple cider. As you will see once you make this, apple cider is a wonderful braising liquid that imparts great flavor. The liquid makes a lovely sauce for the meat as well as mashed potatoes.
You’ll love the flavor combination in this dish. The apples and shallots cook down nice and soft, and are wonderful paired with the pork.
What You’ll Need For Perfect Braised Pork
I love braising as a cooking method. The meat is always tender, and the liquid imparts its own flavor making for a wonderfully satisfying dish.
Here are some of the ingredients you’ll need. I’m highlighting just a couple of them here, you’ll find the rest in the recipe card.
Pork Shoulder
This can be bone in or boneless, depending on preference or what you have available. Don’t use the skin-on picnic shoulder, they have a lot of fat that will make the dish on the greasy side. That type is best for smoking.
Apples
I like using Fuji or Gala apples for this recipe. They have a great sweet and tart balance while being able to stand up to the long cooking time.
Apple Cider
Don’t get the stuff that is 10 percent juice! Buy fresh pressed cider. Most grocery stores carry it nowadays!
Amy’s Secrets For The Best Cider Braised Pork Roast
If you are new to braising, it is really simple! This is a technique I have used in other recipes, such as these short ribs and this pot roast. Both have been very popular on the blog for a long time! I guess you could say I know my way around a good braise! This way of cooking is wonderful because it is pretty forgiving. I’ll give you a basic overview of what to expect, but the recipe card has all the info you need, including instructions for the slow cooker if you prefer that over your oven!
Brown The Roast
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of browning the roast before braising. This is a critical step for maximum flavor and the best results possible!
Saute the Shallots and Apples
This is also an important step in adding flavor. Lightly browning the apples and shallots adds great depth.
Reduce the Cider
Allowing the liquid to cook down a little concentrates its flavor. You have several opportunities in this recipe to build flavor, use them!
Let it Braise
Whether the oven or the slow cooker, let the lower temp and longer cook time do their thing!
Brown the roast. Saute the shallots and apples. Add cider. Braise until tender.
This cider braised pork roast is all about slow cooking simple ingredients into something flavorful and comforting. Don’t be afraid to slow down and enjoy the process! Good food made with care always tastes better.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment or give it a star rating below, it helps others discover the recipe and always makes my day!
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Apple Cider Pork Roast
Make dinnertime special with this apple cider braised pork roast recipe! Full of all the Fall flavors, with slow cooker and Dutch Oven instructions included!
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 Servings 1x
Ingredients
3–4 pound Pork Shoulder Roast
2 Tablespoons of Avocado Oil
2 teaspoons of Salt
1 teaspoon of Pepper
2 Fuji or Gala Apples
3 Shallots
2 Bay Leaves
1 bunch of Fresh Thyme
6–8 Fresh Sage Leaves
4 cups of Unfiltered Apple Cider (plus more if needed)
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of your oven and turn on your oven to 325 degrees and heat a Dutch Oven on medium high heat (if you are looking for Slow Cooker instructions, see the “Notes” section below). While everything heats up, pat the roast dry with paper towels and season all over with the 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper.
- Add the 2 Tablespoons of oil and the roast to the pot and brown on all sides, at least 5 minutes per side to get a nice golden brown color.
- While the roast browns cut the 2 apples into wedges and peel and slice the 3 shallots.
- Once the roast is browned, remove it from the pot to a plate and set aside.
- Put the sliced apples and shallots in the pot. Let the shallots and apples cook for about 5 minutes, until lightly browned. be sure to scrape up any brown bits in the bottom of the pot.
- Add the bunch of thyme, 2 bay leaves, and the 6-8 sage leaves to the pot.
- Pour the 4 cups of apple cider into the pot and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes or so to reduce it down a little.
- Add the roast to the pot, nestling it down into the pot around the apples. The cider should come halfway up the roast. If it doesn’t and it won’t go down into the Dutch oven any further, add a little more cider if needed.
- Turn off the burner and cover the pot.
- Place in the oven and cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove the roast from the pot and shred the meat in large chunks. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Slow Cooker Instructions
If you want to make this pork roast in your slow cooker, it is really easy!
Follow the recipe above through Step 7. Instead of a Dutch Oven, you can use a large deep sided skillet.
After completing Step 7, pour the apples and shallots and the cider from the Dutch Oven (or skillet) into the slow cooker.
Add the browned pork roast, pushing it down into the cider, apples, and shallots. Add a little more cider if needed so that it comes halfway up the roast.
Cook on low for 8 hours.
Shred the meat into big chunks and serve!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 Hours
- Category: Main Dishes and Sandwiches
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces
- Calories: 444
- Sugar: 5.5 g
- Sodium: 697.3 mg
- Fat: 19.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.7 g
- Protein: 50.3 g
- Cholesterol: 159.9 mg
