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

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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