Crockpot Pork & Apples: Sweet-Savory, Beer-Braised, and Fork-Tender — The Ultimate Autumn Feast

ByKarl S

Crockpot Pork & Apples is where beer-country comfort meets fall flavor: juicy pork shoulder slow-cooked with tart apples, onions, and a malty beer glaze until it melts into every bite.

The apples break down into a natural, cider-like sauce that’s sweet and tangy, perfect over mashed roots, spaetzle, or warm slices of beer bread.

It’s an Oktoberfest-worthy main that’s hearty, simple, and packed with bold, rustic flavor.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

  • 2–3 lbs pork shoulder or pork loin (boneless, trimmed)
  • Salt & black pepper
  • 1 tbsp oil or butter (for browning)
  • 2 apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and sliced
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup beer (Vienna lager, Märzen, or cider beer — malty and mellow)
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • Optional: 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar for brightness

To Serve

  • Beer bread, mashed potatoes, parsnips, or spaetzle
  • Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme)
  • Grainy mustard or pan sauce on the side

Instructions

Step 1: Sear the Pork (Optional but Flavorful)

  1. Pat pork dry and season with salt and pepper.
  2. In a skillet, heat oil or butter over medium-high. Sear pork on all sides until browned — about 2–3 minutes per side. Transfer to crockpot.

Step 2: Layer and Pour

  1. Layer apples, onions, and garlic in the bottom of the crockpot.
  2. Nestle pork on top.
  3. In a small bowl, mix beer, mustard, brown sugar/maple syrup, thyme, and paprika. Pour over the pork.
  4. Add vinegar now or after cooking for brightness (optional).

Step 3: Slow Cook to Tender

  • Low: 6–8 hours
  • High: 3–4 hours
    Meat should be very tender and easy to shred or slice.

Step 4: Serve With Sauce

  1. Remove pork and let rest briefly. Slice or shred.
  2. Spoon apples and onions over the meat. Optionally reduce the cooking liquid into a glaze or gravy on the stove for extra flavor.
  3. Serve hot with your choice of hearty sides and crusty bread.

Flavor Variations

  • Add a pinch of cinnamon or clove for a spiced apple note
  • Use hard apple cider instead of beer for sharper sweetness
  • Stir in sauerkraut during the last hour for a tangy counterbalance
  • Add sliced carrots or sweet potatoes for a one-pot meal

Beer Pairing

In the Pot

  • Märzen, Vienna lager, or a mild farmhouse ale — sweet malt and low bitterness
  • Hard cider works too, especially with apple-forward flavor

In Your Glass

  • Amber ale, Dunkelweizen, or cider-beer hybrid
  • Belgian Tripel for a bold, fruity counterpoint
  • Cream ale or Kölsch for a lighter finish

Final Thoughts

Crockpot Pork & Apples is rich, comforting, and unmistakably seasonal — the kind of dish that turns basic cuts into something celebration-worthy with the help of beer, time, and apples. Make it once and it might become your Oktoberfest go-to.

Rustic. Juicy. Apple-laced and beer-backed — this is slow-cooked magic on a fork. 🐖🍏🍺🔥

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